Category Manager

If you’d like to be considered for this opportunity we encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment as if applications are high the role will close before the closing date given.

Category Manager

Location: Reading, with free onsite parking.

Package: Starting from £47,760 to £65k (depending on your suitability and level of experience).

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight, with every other Friday as a non-working day. This role is eligible for hybrid working, meaning employees typically spend three days on site in a long week and two days on site in a short week. We support flexible working where possible, including part-time and varied working hours, so please let us know if you would like us to consider an alternative working arrangement when you apply.

Ready to play your part?

At AWE, it’s not just a job, it’s far more than that. Our shared purpose is to help keep the nation safe. Could this role be the opportunity for you to play your part?

Let us introduce the role.

We are looking for an experienced Category Manager to join AWE and play a key role in shaping and delivering effective category strategies that support our business priorities and deliver long-term commercial value.

Working collaboratively across AWE, you will manage a portfolio of categories and supplier contracts, using market insight and commercial expertise to identify opportunities, manage risk and drive value. You will develop and implement category strategies, support and lead commercial negotiations, and build strong relationships with key suppliers throughout the contract lifecycle.

This is a varied commercial role where you will work closely with stakeholders across Commercial, Operations, Legal and Finance, helping to ensure contracts and suppliers perform effectively against agreed requirements, KPIs and SLAs. You will have the opportunity to influence commercial outcomes, strengthen supplier relationships and contribute to the delivery of AWE’s wider strategic goals.

Experience we are looking for

We are interested in your experience, judgement, and approach, not only formal qualifications. You will have practical experience in some of the following:

• Experience working within a Procurement, Commercial or Category Management environment.
• Experience managing categories of spend and supporting the development and delivery of category strategies.
• Practical experience delivering end-to-end procurement activity, including tender documentation, evaluation, tender analysis, negotiation and contracting.
• Experience of contract management and Supplier Relationship Management (SRM), with an understanding of contractual arrangements.
• Strong commercial and negotiation skills, with the ability to achieve positive outcomes and deliver value.
• Good analytical and financial skills, with the ability to interpret data and use insight to support commercial decision-making.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across different business areas.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Ability to manage changing priorities and ambiguity while maintaining a commercial and delivery-focused approach.
• Understanding of relevant legislation, regulation and commercial compliance requirements.

Work hard, be rewarded:

We ask a lot and set the bar high because our work truly matters. In return we offer balance, with award winning benefits including:

• 9-day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
• Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

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Next steps:

Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don’t meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we’d love to receive your application.

Important things you need to know:

• We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.
• You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. 
• We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.
• Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.

Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.