Principal Procurement Manager -Solar&Storage

Are you passionate about all things procurement? Do you want to join a company leading the way for a Net Zero future? Then we might just have the role for you….
We have a great opportunity for a Principal Procurement Manager. This role will report into the Head of Procurement and Contract Management and lead on providing comprehensive procurement support to development and construction activities for solar and battery storage projects. As a key figure of the procurement team, embedded within EDF R's Central Technical Office Procurement Department, this is a key position in delivering end to end procurement support principally for Solar and Battery Projects.
What you'll be doing
In this role you will balance a busy workload and ensure objectives are achieved on time without compromising governance, safety and quality standards.
The key challenges for the role will be to define, agree and execute value-driven commercial strategies (in conjunction with your business partners and wider stakeholders) whilst ensuring adequate procurement and commercial management resource is in place to play a key part of project delivery.
Principal accountabilities include:

- Developing and leading a team of procurement professionals .
- Initiating and implementing Solar and Battery project procurement/sourcing strategies and plans including obtaining buy-in from key internal stakeholders.
- Assessing and evaluating procurement risks (political, environment, technical, economic and legal) and developing appropriate procurement/commercial mitigation strategies.
- Leading procurement of goods and services for new projects and associated activities to agreed project and commercial objectives in line with governance and approved procedures.
- Develop category management expertise in consultation with key stakeholders to identify and promote new procurement opportunities for the business (e.g., new entrants, innovations, cost savings etc.) that generates improved commercial insights and value.
- Able to use and interpret market research/market intelligence.
- Identification, pre-qualification and qualification of suppliers.
- Lead on the evaluation of bids and co-ordinating inputs from the wider evaluation team (technical, legal, HSE).
- Negotiation and timely award of high value contracts for goods, works and services in consultation with the wider project team in in accordance with best-value and approved procedures.
- Auditing/reviewing compliance with approved procurement procedures, including participation in key supplier audits (where necessary).
- Performance management of supply chain to drive continuous improvement and optimal performance, including compiling and evaluating periodic procurement KPI reports.
- Managing procurement processes on business systems (e.g., SAP, iValua) and acting as a single point of reference for your business users.
- Promoting sustainable and ethical procurement in line with EDF R's sustainability ambitions.
- Provide support to wider team objectives and technologies in the EDF-R portfolio, such as business planning, Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) and procurement systems development.

You'll have considerable procurement experience coupled with Proven ability to conduct successful commercial negotiations with suppliers and educated to degree level or equivalent.

- Comprehensive knowledge of the principles of procurement, sourcing and contract management and a proven track record
- Experience of leading teams and support team development (e.g. towards CIPS or equivalent qualification(s))
- Experience in the renewables and/or construction industry would be advantageous but is not essential
- Experience in commercial administration of development and construction contracts and cost management.
- Good working knowledge of category management techniques.
- Excellent at building successful relationships with external partners, peers, stakeholders and reporting line.
- Good command of Microsoft Office package (MS Excel, MS Word, MS Power Point, etc.).
- Flexible to travel around the UK and overseas as the role requires.
- Full clean UK driving licence.
- Excellent (English) oral and written communication skills.

Pay, benefits and culture

If you're looking to join a company where you can work hard, have fun, and help to create a Net Zero future - then you're in the right place!'
Our passion for embracing new ideas and being open-minded to change helps us continue to grow successfully.
We're committed to helping all of our people thrive during their time with us, recognising and rewarding every person for their hard work and commitment.

EDF Energy is a core part of the EDF Group, one of the largest energy companies in Europe with key business operations in the UK, France, Italy and Belgium. We're the UK's largest producer of low-carbon electricity, the biggest supplier of electricity by volume in Great Britain, the largest supplier to British businesses and we employ more than 13,000 people. We operate nuclear, coal and gas power stations, wind farms, and combined heat & power plants. We have a focus on safe, dependable energy generation and an ethos of service excellence. We are playing a leading role in new nuclear build in the UK to secure a bright future for the combined business and its employees., Why EDF Renewables?
At EDF Renewables UK & Ireland we're committed to tackling climate change. Our rapidly growing team of 500 talented people share an ambition to create a net zero future where clean, green, energy powers all our lives.
It's a huge ambition and time is of the essence if we are to play our full part in meeting the UK and Ireland's challenging net zero targets. With our unique mix of technologies including onshore and offshore wind, solar PV, battery storage and green hydrogen we are the UK & Ireland's most diverse generator of renewable energy.
To achieve our goal of generating a massive 10GW of renewable energy by 2035, we're working with stakeholders and communities throughout the UK and Ireland to unlock the enormous potential of the low carbon energy sector.
If you're passionate about tackling climate change to create the cleaner, greener future we all want, we would love you to come join us.

Join us, and let's do good together.
What do you need to be great at this role?

Alongside a competitive salary, bonus, and market-leading pension scheme, we offer a range of flexible benefits and employee discounts to help you thrive across all aspects of your life. You can spend your flexible fund on the benefits that matter to you, whether that's an electric vehicle, private healthcare, additional holiday or one or more of our other benefits.