Category Specialist

AWE; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 37,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Defence contractor is seeking a Category Specialist to assist with category management and supplier relationship management. Located near Reading, the role offers a competitive salary package and benefits including a 9-day working fortnight and professional development opportunities. Candidates should have a procurement background and strong IT skills. Hybrid working is available.

Benefits

9-day working fortnight

Contributory pension scheme

Family friendly policies

Professional career development

Employee Assistance Programme

Life Assurance

Discounts on everyday spending

Qualifications

• Previous procurement experience in a commercial environment.
• Familiar with supporting buying activities.
• Good general education, including Maths and English.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and implementation of category strategies.
• Support Category Managers in the execution of the RFI process.
• Prepare and assist with external management review meetings.

Skills

Procurement experience

Good IT skills

Stakeholder management

Team player

Education

CIPS level 4 qualification

Good general standard of education

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Overview

AWE is recruiting for a Category Specialist to assist with the implementation and execution of category management, strategic sourcing, contract management and supplier relationship management within assigned categories.

Assist with commercial and contract performance support to the business to allow management of project and commercial risk.

Package: £37,910 to £46,000 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience).

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

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.

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?

Responsibilities

As the Category Specialist, you will contribute to the development and assist with the implementation of category strategies. Support Category Managers in the execution of the RFI process, supplier evaluation and selection, contract negotiation, business award and contract handover to the business. Prepare input and support supplier relationship management for key suppliers whilst monitoring supplier performance. Prepare and assist with external management review meetings. As part of your role, you will also be involved in, but not limited to:

• Supplier base management and supplier classification (Preferred Supplier List - PSL), securing competition in the supplier base.
• Support the delivery of Category targets and KPI\'s for assigned spend categories.
• Business Intelligence and Benchmarking including market analysis, benchmark potential suppliers and market insight to support category development.
• Support and track cost reduction, contract management and continuity of Supply Chain.
• Ensure 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.
• Assist in the preparation and execution of Contract which is appropriate to the scope, value and risk.
• Assist in management of commercial risks, forecast spend and change impacts with key AWE stakeholders.

Qualifications

Who are we looking for?

We are ideally seeking individuals with previous procurement experience in a commercial environment. You will be familiar with supporting buying activities such as providing support in the preparation of tenders and supplier negotiation. You must have good IT skills, in particular MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

We do need you to have the following:

• Good general standard of education, including Maths and English, or equivalent experience.
• CIPS level 4 qualification or willingness to study towards the qualification.

Whilst not to be considered a tick list, we\'d like you to have experience in some of the following:

• Experience of working within a Commercial Environment.
• Good level of experience working with Microsoft Word/Excel/PowerPoint and bespoke IT systems.
• Team player and the ability to work independently.
• Good stakeholder management skills.
• Understanding of Category lifecycle including Public Procurement regulations.

Benefits

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.

The \'Working at AWE\' page on our website is where you can find full details in the \'AWE Benefits Guide\'.

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

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