Category Manager

AWE; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9-day fortnight

Pension scheme

Family friendly policies

Professional career development

Employee Assistance Programme

Life Assurance (4x salary)

Job summary

AWE in Reading is seeking an experienced Category Manager to shape category strategies, manage supplier contracts, and drive value across the business. 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 with stakeholders across Commercial, Operations, Legal and Finance, ensuring contracts and suppliers perform against

Qualifications

• Experience in Procurement, Commercial or Category Management environments.
• Experience developing and delivering category strategies.
• End-to-end procurement experience incl. tendering, evaluation, negotiation and contracting.
• Experience in contract management and Supplier Relationship Management.
• Strong commercial and negotiation skills with ability to deliver value.
• Good analytical and financial skills to interpret data for commercial decisions.
• Strong cross-functional stakeholder management and communication.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of categories and supplier contracts across the business.
• Develop and implement category strategies to deliver long-term value.
• Lead commercial negotiations and build strong supplier relationships throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Ensure contracts and supplier performance meet KPIs and SLAs.
• Collaborate with Commercial, Operations, Legal and Finance to influence outcomes and delivery.

Skills

Procurement

Category Management

Negotiation

Contract Management

SRM

Data Analysis

Stakeholder Management

Excel

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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.