Classifications
Commercial Business Partner
We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Commercial Business Partner to join our leadership team at Dounreay. This pivotal role, acts as the commercial interface between site leadership, central commercial functions, and wider programme delivery teams.
The successful candidate will:
- Lead a cross-functional team of procurement, commercial, contract management and QS professionals
- Align Dounreay’s operational strategies with NRS’s commercial goals
- Champion integration of category strategies into site operations
- Influence strategic planning through expert commercial insights and risk analysis
- Collaborate with senior stakeholders across Dounreay, Solo Sites, AGR & Paired Sites, and central functions
- Promote commercial excellence and capability development across the business
- Drive two-way alignment: embedding category strategies into site operations while ensuring site-level insights inform commercial and P3M priorities
This role ensures commercial strategies are operationally grounded, deliver measurable value, and support NRS’s ten-year strategy
A competitive salary starting from £75,807 up to £104,408 is offered in line with experience.
Interviews to be held week commencing Monday 17 November 2025. If you require assistance with any aspect of the recruitment process, please contact careers@dounreay.nrservices.uk so that we can make any necessary reasonable adjustment.
Job Description
As the strategic interface between the Dounreay Managing Director, site leadership, central commercial functions, and P3M (Portfolio, Programme, and Project Management), you’ll ensure seamless integration of the commercial operating model into Dounreay.
You’ll lead a large cross-functional team and work closely with the Commercial Portfolio Manager to manage workload and efficiency. Reporting to the Head of Supply Chain Delivery, you’ll partner with the Dounreay MD and Programme Delivery Directors. Due to the nature of the role, a minimum of 75% of your time will be spent on-site at Dounreay.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead business partnering to align commercial initiatives with site goals
- Act as liaison between Dounreay leadership, category managers, and other Commercial Business Partners
- Provide expert commercial advice using market trends and procurement best practices
- Drive adoption of category strategies and ensure alignment with site performance
- Influence strategic planning with commercial insights and risk analysis
- Shape commercial strategies to reflect site realities and enhance execution
- Oversee sourcing and contract management strategies for cost efficiency and compliance
- Ensure commercial feasibility of site strategies and identify risks and opportunities
- Embed category strategies into daily operations and performance frameworks
- Address misalignment between operations and commercial strategies
- Support change initiatives and stakeholder engagement
- Prioritise commercial initiatives to optimise resource allocation
- Promote best-in-class commercial processes and behaviours
- Build commercial capability through mentoring and training
- Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture
- Manage commercial risks including supplier performance and market fluctuations
- Perform the responsibilities of Authorisations relevant to post, including appointment to an Emergency Arrangements post
Aptitudes and Experience:
- National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 6 / SCQF level 9/10. e.g. Degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent
- Appropriate professional qualification
- Training or Certificate in coaching, leadership development, or similar fields
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Experience of working with, managing and influencing senior stakeholders
- Experience of providing advice to senior stakeholders in complex operating environments
- Experience of driving cross-functional collaboration across commercial, sites, operations, finance and legal functions to deliver integrated commercial outcomes
- Proven ability to support the development and execution of commercial strategies to deliver cost savings, value creation and supplier innovation in complex supply chains
- Strong commercial acumen, with an understanding of cost modelling, total cost of ownership and supplier risk analysis
- Knowledge of supplier relationship management (SRM) practices and experience in managing high value, strategic supplier relationships to improve performance and drive continuous improvement
- Experience of leading and managing a team
- Experience of working and implementing change in a regulated environment with a clear understanding of assurance and governance expectations
- Ability to lead through ambiguity and change, maintaining focus on business priorities and stakeholder engagement during periods of transformation
- Strong knowledge and application of procurement principles and public contracting regulations
- Strong negotiation skills
- Good understanding of NEC and defined cost audits
- Experience in risk management and mitigation including commercial, legal and operational risks across large programmes or projects
- Experience of working on major infrastructure projects and an understanding of the specific challenges of cost control, risk transfer and contractor accountability in delivery
- Post specific physical capability analysis assessment