Overview

AWE is currently recruiting for an experienced Principal Category Manager to create and implement category strategies and provide leadership to a team that focuses on Science and Engineering.

Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking. Plans to relocate to Green Park, Reading from December 2025.

Package: £60,000 to £90,000 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience)

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.

Role

As the Principal Category Manager, you will be responsible for developing and implementing category strategies, supporting and executing strategic sourcing activities, and managing supplier relationships. You will report to the Head of Category – Science and Engineering and lead a category team, driving high performance and setting the direction for the categories ensuring strategic sourcing, contract management and commercial contract management are carried out efficiently, to meet business objectives. This role requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams in AWE and, where applicable, Government stakeholders.

What you will do

• Direct and implement category strategies for Science and Engineering sub categories and execute the sourcing process, including tendering for multi-million-pound contracts, negotiating large complex contracts, supporting and operating frameworks, and building and managing relationships with senior stakeholders to influence strategy endorsement.
• Ensure category strategies deliver business objectives and are implemented to deliver benefits (cost reduction) and value to AWE.
• Lead the team to align with organisational goals, Category Management objectives, regulatory requirements, and market dynamics.
• Prioritise activities to ensure efficient delivery of category management initiatives.
• Oversee the delivery of sourcing activities, including strategies and execution for high value/complex procurements.
• Drive strategic decision-making through in-depth market and supplier analysis.
• Utilise contract terms (e.g. NEC, AWE Standard Terms) for the preparation, analysis, negotiation, award and delivery of contracts.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to enhance collaboration and innovation, acting as a senior escalation point as required.
• Lead, coach and develop a team of Category Managers and influence others at specialist or functional level to create and develop operational plans to achieve Category Management objectives and AWE business priorities.

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking a motivated category management professional with strong leadership and management skills, and strong stakeholder management skills. An analytical thinker, with excellent communication abilities, and experience in large, complex organisations, delivering and executing category strategies and strategic sourcing. The ideal candidate will have worked in highly regulated environments, understand the importance of governance and have a keen eye for detail. MCIPS is advantageous, but candidates currently studying or planning to study will also be considered.

Experience we’d like to see includes:

• Category management
• Managing and driving teams to high performance
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex contractual arrangements, framework agreements
• Managing multiple stakeholders and priorities
• Preparing tender packages, conducting tender conferences, developing evaluation criteria, analysing and evaluating proposals, negotiating subcontract provisions, subcontractor selection
• Working within a strategic Procurement Function
• Delivering change programmes
• Working in cross-functional teams across multiple programmes

What you’ll love

AWE offers a wide range of benefits to suit you, including:

• 9-day working fortnight – every other Friday off, plus 270 hours of annual leave
• Market leading contributory pension scheme (9% to 13% of pensionable pay depending on 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 on a wide range of everyday spending
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring

Hybrid working is available for this role on an informal, non-contractual basis. Typically 2 to 3 days onsite per week.

Next Steps

Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. If you feel this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please 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 closes.
• You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The role requires you to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.
• Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.
• Interviews are typically conducted over Teams and are usually a 1-stage process.

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and where employees feel able to be themselves at work. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV.

Note: You must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.

Seniority level

• Not Applicable

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Marketing and Sales
• Industries: Defense and Space Manufacturing, Appliances, Electrical, and Electronics Manufacturing, and Oil and Gas

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