Lead Commercial Manager

Dounreay, Scotland

• 🕒 12-Month Contract
• 🏢 Full-Time On Site
• 💼 Inside IR35

Ceto Talent is supporting a major UK nuclear programme in the search for an experienced Lead/Commercial Business Partner to join their senior leadership environment at Dounreay.

This is a high impact contract role, sitting at the centre of site leadership and commercial strategy. You'll act as the key commercial interface between operational delivery teams and central commercial functions, ensuring that strategy and execution remain aligned in a complex, regulated setting.

You will provide strategic commercial leadership across the Dounreay site, ensuring that commercial objectives are embedded into operational delivery and long-term programme planning.

Working closely with senior stakeholders, you will:

• Lead and coordinate a multi-disciplinary team across procurement, commercial, contract management and quantity surveying
• Align site operations with overarching commercial and category strategies
• Provide commercial insight into strategic planning, including risk evaluation and market intelligence
• Ensure commercial initiatives are realistic, deliverable and grounded in operational needs
• Strengthen collaboration between site leadership, programme teams and central commercial functions
• Drive performance through effective sourcing, contract management and supplier oversight
• Embed best practice commercial governance, compliance and assurance standards
• Identify and manage commercial risks, including supplier performance and market volatility
• Support capability development and promote a strong commercial culture across the site
• This role plays a critical part in ensuring that commercial strategies are practical, measurable and aligned to long-term programme objectives.

We're keen to speak with commercially strong leaders who are confident operating in regulated, complex project environments.

You'll likely bring:

• Degree‑level qualification (or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline
• Professional accreditation in a commercial or procurement‑related field
• Experience advising and influencing senior leadership teams
• A background delivering commercial strategy across major infrastructure or highly regulated programmes
• Strong understanding of public procurement regulations and governance frameworks
• Knowledge of NEC contracts and defined cost audits
• Experience in cost modelling, total cost of ownership and supplier risk analysis
• A track record of managing high‑value supplier relationships and improving performance
• Experience leading and developing teams
• Proven ability to drive change and maintain delivery focus in evolving environments
• Strong negotiation capability and commercial judgement
• Experience with in nuclear, defence or other regulated infrastructure sectors would be highly advantageous.

This is a rare opportunity to step into a visible leadership‑facing commercial role on one of the UK's most significant nuclear sites. You'll be shaping commercial direction while working closely with senior operational and programme stakeholders.

If you're looking for a contract that offers real influence, strategic input and complex stakeholder engagement, this is worth a conversation.

For a confidential discussion, please contact:

Jasmine White
Recruitment Partner - Ceto Talent