Principal Category Manager - Science & Engineering - Aldermaston in Reading

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

Job summary

A leading energy recruitment firm is seeking a Principal Category Manager to develop and implement category strategies in Science and Engineering. Located in Aldermaston, this full-time role offers a salary range of £63,270 to £90,000 and includes a 9-day working fortnight. Ideal candidates will have strong leadership skills, experience in category management, and the ability to manage stakeholder relationships effectively. Flexible working options and comprehensive benefits are available, including a contributory pension scheme and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

9-day working fortnight

Contributory pension scheme

Professional career development funding

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and management skills.
• Experience in large, complex organizations.
• Experience in managing multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies.
• Manage supplier relationships.
• Drive high performance in category teams.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

MCIPS (or underway)

Job description

Overview

Energy Jobline is the largest and fastest growing global Energy Job Board and Energy Hub. We have an audience reach of over 7 million energy professionals, 400,000+ monthly advertised global energy and engineering jobs, and work with the leading energy companies worldwide.

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.

Role

Job Description Principal Category Manager - Science & Engineering - Aldermaston, Berkshire, RG7 4PR

Job Type: Full-Time

Salary: £63,270 - £90,000 per annum

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 etc.

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

Package: £63,270 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 working pattern on your application.

Let us introduce the role

As the Principal Category Manager, you will be responsible for developing and implementing category strategies, support and execute strategic sourcing activities, and manage 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.

You will be accountable for directing and implementing category strategies for Science and Engineering sub categories as well as executing 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. As part of your role you will:

• Ensure category strategies, which deliver business objectives, are developed in collaboration with the business and are implemented to deliver benefits (cost reduction) and value to AWE


• Lead the team to ensure alignment with organisational goals, Category Management objectives, regulatory requirements, and market dynamics


• Prioritise activities to ensure efficient delivery of category management initiatives


• Oversees the delivery of sourcing activities throughout, including sourcing strategies and their execution for high value/complex procurements


• Drive strategic decision-making through in-depth market and supplier analysis


• Utilise various forms of contract terms (e.g. NEC, AWE Standard Terms) for the preparation, analysis, negotiation, award and delivery of contracts.


• Development and maintenance of strong relationships with key suppliers to enhance collaboration and innovation, acting as a senior escalation point as required.


• Leading, coaching and developing a team of Category Managers and influencing others at specialism 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.

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

• 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.

Some reasons we think you'll love it here

AWE has wide range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• 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 2 to 3 days onsite per week.

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