AMS PSR

On behalf of AWE, we are looking for a Category Manager Inside IR35 for an 12 month contract (possible extension) based Hybrid working (3 days per week in Reading office and remaining WFH)

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.

PLEASE NOTE:

SC Clearance is an essential requirement for this role, as a minimum you must be willing & eligible to undergo checks. Please note, due to the exceptional requirements of this position (short-term nature of this role and speed at which we require a postholder in situ) preference may be given to candidates who meet all of the essential criteria and hold active security clearance

The main duties and responsibilities of the Category Manager would be to:

• Develop and implement Category Strategy for specific categories, balancing short and long-term objectives to meet business strategy and efficiencies (savings) in alignment with business stakeholders.
• Support and execute strategic sourcing activities in line with approved category strategy and preferred suppliers list, including the execution of the RFx process, supplier evaluation and selection, contract negotiation, business award and contract handover to the business, in compliance with the business requirements as well as AWE policies and directives, including Code of Conduct and Code of Business Ethics.
• Support the execution of Supplier Relationship Management for some key suppliers, including supplier segmentation, contract management, supplier risks identification and mitigation and suppliers performance.
• Monitor and drive supplier performance, ensuring that suppliers meet contractual obligations using the Supplier Performance Card or specific contractual Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and Service Level Agreement (SLA) and secure commercial compensation for supplier contractual noncompliance
• Assist with the development of supplier value including planning and preparation of external management review meetings with segmented suppliers (Management Business Reviews and Executive Business Reviews) in accordance with AWE Supplier Relationship Management framework and the agreed supplier strategy.
• Drive operational efficiency in alignment with the Supply Chain Processes and Strategies as well as performance of all activities in line with Supply Chain targets and the Category Group team targets.
• Develop, implement and drive Category Strategy to deliver cost effective category solutions and business models for assigned categories.
• Implement ways of working according to AWE Category Management Framework including the delivery of Category targets and KPI’s for assigned group of spend categories.
• Business Intelligence, suppliers benchmark and market insight to support category development.
• The Category Manager, with the sub-category Team, is responsible for securing and tracking cost reduction, contract management and continuity of Supply Chain.
• Prepare & execute the RFx process in collaboration with stakeholders including supplier evaluation and selection, supplier negotiations (costs and contract).
• Contribute to the long-term business ensuring competitive initial cost and total cost development in the product and service life cycle and maintenance of the specific supplier contract for products and services.
• Suppliers segmented and managed (quality, performance, risk) in accordance with the AWE Supplier Relationship Management Framework
• Monitor and mitigate supplier risks (including CoC, Environmental & Health and Safety as well as dependency on AWE and AWE dependency on the supplier), make corrective action plans for the identified risks.
• Supplier Strategies for key suppliers within assigned group of spend categories.
• Secure stakeholders involvement and participation in category strategies, sourcing activities and supplier relationship management activities and share SCM category strategies, PSL, supplier performance etc…

Essential:

• Demonstrable experience developing and implementing category strategies that deliver cost savings, operational efficiencies and alignment with wider business objectives.
• Knowledge of Public Procurement Regulations
• Excellent Sourcing experience
• Experience leading end to end Procurement activities, including supplier evaluation, commercial and contractual negotiation, contract award and handover, in line with governance, policy and ethical standards.
• Proven ability to segment, manage and develop suppliers, including performance management, contract management, risk identification and mitigation, in line with an established SRM framework.
• Experience monitoring supplier performance against KPIs and SLAs, addressing non compliance, securing commercial remedies, and managing supplier risks (including quality, compliance, environmental, health & safety and dependency risks).
• Strong commercial awareness with a track record of securing cost reductions, managing total cost of ownership, and ensuring continuity and resilience of the supply chain.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with internal stakeholders, ensuring engagement and alignment on category strategies, sourcing decisions and supplier management activities.
• Ability to use business intelligence, supplier benchmarking and market analysis to inform category strategies, supplier strategies and long term sourcing decisions.

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".