Principal Category Manager - Science & Engineering - Aldermaston in Aldermaston

Energy Jobline ZR; Aldermaston; Hybrid; GBP 63,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering company is hiring a Principal Category Manager to develop category strategies for Science and Engineering. This position involves managing supplier relationships and driving procurement processes. The ideal candidate has strong leadership skills and experience in strategic sourcing within regulated environments. The role offers a hybrid work model and various benefits, including a 9-day working fortnight and a generous pension scheme.

Benefits

9-day working fortnight

Market-leading pension scheme

Family-friendly policies

Professional development funding

Life Assurance

Discounts on everyday spending

Qualifications

• Experience in large, complex organisations.
• Proven ability to draft and negotiate complex contracts.
• Experience in strategic procurement functions and delivering change.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies for Science and Engineering.
• Lead the category team to align with organizational goals.
• Oversee sourcing activities for high-value procurements.

Skills

Leadership and management skills

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Strategic sourcing

Contract negotiation

Education

MCIPS or equivalent

Job description

Energy Jobline

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We focus on the Oil & Gas, Renewables, Engineering, Power, and Nuclear markets as well as emerging technologies in EV, Battery, and Fusion. We are committed to ensuring that we offer the most exciting career opportunities from around the world for our jobseekers.

Job Description

Principal Category Manager – Science & Engineering – Aldermaston, Berkshire, RG7 4PR. Job Type: Full‑Time. Salary: £63,270 – £90,000 per annum. Location: RG7 4PR, between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking. (Planned relocation to Green Park, Reading from December 2025).

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. Managing the end to end Category Management process for a number of categories, such as Research and Development (R&D) and Manufacturing.

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 working pattern on your application.

Role Overview

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 to ensure 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.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies for Science and Engineering sub‑categories, ensuring cost reduction and value delivery.
• Lead the category team to align with organisational goals, Category Management objectives, regulatory requirements, and market dynamics.
• Prioritise activities and ensure efficient delivery of category‑management initiatives.
• Oversee the execution of sourcing activities for high‑value and complex procurements, including tendering for multi‑million‑pound contracts.
• Drive strategic decision‑making through in‑depth market and supplier analysis.
• Utilise various contract terms (e.g. NEC, AWE Standard Terms) for 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 when required.
• Lead, coach and develop a team of Category Managers, influencing others at the specialism or functional level to achieve Category Management objectives and AWE business priorities.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and management skills with experience in large, complex organisations.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and analytical thinking.
• Experience delivering and executing category strategies and strategic sourcing in highly regulated environments.
• Proven ability to draft, review and negotiate complex contractual arrangements, framework agreements and multiple stakeholder contracts.
• Experience preparing tender packages, conducting tender conferences, developing evaluation criteria, analysing and evaluating proposals, and negotiating subcontract provisions.
• Background in a strategic Procurement Function and delivering change programmes.
• Ability to work across cross‑functional teams and manage multiple priorities.
• MCIPS (or equivalent) is advantageous; candidates studying or planning to study will also be considered.

Benefits

• 9‑day working fortnight – every other Friday off, plus 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market‑leading contributory pension scheme (9‑13% contribution).
• Family‑friendly policies: Maternity Leave – 39 weeks full pay; Paternity Leave – 4 weeks full pay.
• Opportunities for professional career development, including funding for membership of a relevant professional body.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Life Assurance (4 × annual salary).
• Discounts on everyday spending.
• Special Leave Policy – paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

Hybrid working is available on an informal, non‑contractual basis, typically 2–3 days onsite per week.

If you are interested in applying for this job please press the Apply button and follow the application process.