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Westinghouse will participate in a major UK infrastructure programme and are seeking to identify a candidate with significant experience of establishing and leading an extensive supply chain organization. The appointed person will be responsible for creation of the supply chain infrastructure and engaging with UK and International companies to build a robust supply chain which meets the requirements of an emergent and growing industry.


Celestial is a newly established Joint Venture (JV) organization whose purpose is to unite the power of innovative science and engineering to accelerate fusion energy as the world's ultimate clean, secure, and sustainable source of energy for the protection of our planet and humanity.


As Part of the Global Procurement Projects Supply Chain Solution Team, the Supply Chain Director will oversee all the procurement activities with STEPSproject where our immediate objective is to bid, win and deliver the UK Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) program as the appointed Engineering Partner.

The STEP program is intended to demonstrate the commercial viability of fusion energy.


STEP aims to generate net electrical output through a grid-connected pilot plant by 2040, whilst stimulating UK industry to drive economic growth through the global fusion energy market. With an estimated program cost of over £>20bn, it will become one of the largest infrastructure programs in the UK, comparable in scale to Hinkley Point C & HS2.

UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) Ltd has been established as the client delivery organization for STEP.

UKIFS will appoint 3 Whole Plant Delivery Partners in 2024 to deliver STEP through an alliance-style model: an Engineering Partner, Construction Partner, and Fusion Partner.

The Engineering Partner (EP) is responsible for the integrated design of the plant and equipment, validation of key technologies, development of a supply chain, manufacturing leadership, installation, and commissioning. The contract will have a duration of up to 15 years with average annual revenues of approximately £150m, a workforce of 300-400 FTEs, and a significant, global supply chain.


We are looking for a Supply Chain Director who will sit on the STEPS Operational Leadership team, reporting to the Program Director for the competitive dialogue, mobilization and delivery phases of the project.


As Supply Chain Director, you will be accountable for establishing a global fusion supply chain, developing celestial’s supply chain strategy and for leading our high value procurement process.


Experienced Person with A track record of successfully managing the supply chain needs of multi-phase major programs, with demonstrable experience of succeeding within a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) environment. You advocate the vision and values of celestial, aligning to the aspirational goals of STEP and UK fusion industry.


Collaborative Leader: You will support integration across celestial, the STEP alliance and the suppliers that will be involved with the program. You will appreciate the key aspects of the definition and development of the supply chain for a prototype delivery program, where suppliers will be requested to deliver beyond the edges of their capabilities and capacities.


Forward Thinker: An enthusiastic innovator who naturally seeks out novel ways to overcome complex challenges. You will have a curious mindset, encourage the team to take calculated risks, capture learning and drive pace into the program.


Rapport Builder: Your empathetic listening style will be a catalyst for establishing a psychologically safe and inclusive environment. Celestial will be recognized as a great place to work, which empowers and nurtures diverse talent.


Networker: You will have a broad understanding of existing and emerging organizations within the energy and infrastructure sectors, with a natural flair for developing new relationships with key stakeholders at a personal, and organizational level. Additionally, you will recognize the importance of supporting start-up companies and SME’s to enable their success, whilst also engaging with other sectors, including Academia.


Your Day to Day:

  • To deliver a clear and compelling supply chain strategy for the competitive dialogue phase to secure the contract.
  • Develop the supply chain strategy in collaboration with UKIFS and other partners to:
    • Embed suppliers into the Integrated Project Teams (IPT) organizations,
    • Manage and mitigate capacity and capability challenges,
    • Clustering of suppliers to optimize scope of work and interfaces,
    • Foster a UK-rooted supply chain network.
  • Influence UKIFS to adopt a uniform STEP procurement process across Whole Plant Partner organizations which embeds a best value approach.
  • Support the transformation of celestial from a consortium to single entity by leveraging and applying the best experiences of all the partners in the area of supply chain management and procurement.
  • Support the Program Director in reporting of celestial performance to SteerCo for the supply chain management and procurement aspects.
  • Development of strategic selection criteria which informs our Make Vs Buy decision within celestial, and in collaboration with UKIFS and the other partners.
  • Oversee procurement process for celestial subcontracts.
  • Support the development and delivery of the Intellectual Property strategy for suppliers.
  • Monitor and mitigate supply chain risks.
  • Build and lead the internal supply chain and procurement team organization and resources so that they can deliver on business objectives and the internal processes.
  • Represent and promote celestial in industry groups to positively influence UK Fusion strategy.

Who You Are:

  • BA/BS/ME degree in business or engineering
  • Good understanding of UK market regulation
  • Strong team player
  • Business Acumen
  • Able to interact with C level
  • +8 years of project management experience
  • Nuclear & EPC experience is an Asset