AMS PSR

On behalf of AWE, we are looking for a Category Manager (Inside IR35) for a 7 months contract based Hybrid - 3 days in Green Park, Reading.

What if you could work on something that you can’t test… but cannot afford to fail? Something that could have spent years on a submarine, is launched into outer space (where the temperature is below -250c), comes hurtling through the atmosphere, being heated up and shaken and then must work? Some challenge. That’s exactly what the team of over 6,500 people at AWE do every day delivering important work, in support of the most important mission – keeping the nation safe.

AWE plays a crucial role in national nuclear security. Their role in nuclear deterrence and their specialist technical assistance to nuclear threat reduction is vital in the defence against the most serious threats faced by the UK. Working to support the defence of our country, AWE has a clear mission to keep everyone, the environment, their products and information, sites, and everything around them, safe and secure.

We are seeking an experienced Category Manager to lead the development and delivery of category strategies that optimise cost, performance and supplier value across key spend areas. You will shape strategic sourcing activity, manage critical supplier relationships and collaborate closely with stakeholders to drive efficiency and ensure continuity of supply. This is a pivotal role in a complex, high‑security environment, requiring strong commercial capability and a proactive approach to supplier performance, risk and value management.

As a Category Manager, your main responsibilities will be:

• Develop and deliver category strategies that balance short‑ and long‑term business needs, cost efficiencies and supplier competitiveness.
• Execute strategic sourcing activities, including RFx processes, supplier evaluation, negotiation and contract award in line with policy and governance.
• Manage and monitor key supplier relationships, ensuring performance, risk mitigation and adherence to KPIs and SLAs.
• Drive supplier performance and value creation, including preparing for management and executive supplier review meetings.
• Ensure effective contract and supplier base management, including supplier segmentation, compliance and continuity of supply.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, securing their engagement in category strategies, sourcing decisions and supplier performance management.

Essential:

• Proven experience in category management or strategic procurement, ideally within a complex or regulated environment.
• Strong supplier management skills, including performance monitoring, risk mitigation and value delivery.
• Demonstrated capability in running full sourcing cycles, including RFx, commercial negotiation and contract management.
• Strong analytical and market insight skills, with the ability to interpret data to inform strategy and decision‑making.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, able to influence, collaborate and secure alignment across multiple teams.
• SC or DV security clearance, including British citizenship.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

AWE’s ambition is to create workplaces that recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and where people feel able to be themselves at work. They strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants.

Disability Confident 

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, AWE guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

AWE guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".