Senior Procurement Manager

-; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 63,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading firm in the UK is seeking a Senior Procurement Manager to focus on capital investment projects including construction and site infrastructure. This role requires extensive experience in regulated procurement and a keen eye for detail. You will lead a team, manage procurement strategies, and drive project management. The position offers a competitive salary of £63,270 to £80,000 and hybrid work options.

Benefits

9-day working fortnight

Market leading pension scheme

Family friendly policies

Professional Career Development

Employee Assistance Programme

Life Assurance

Discounts for everyday spending

Special Leave Policy

Qualifications

• Significant experience in the regulated procurement of complex works and services.
• Extensive experience in construction procurement focused on large-scale projects.
• Experience of drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex contractual arrangements.

Responsibilities

• Lead a category team of procurement professionals.
• Drive end-to-end procurement project management.
• Manage the development of procurement strategy and tender execution.

Skills

People-oriented

Construction procurement

Contract negotiation

Regulated procurement knowledge

Data analysis

Education

MCIPS qualification

Job description

If you'd like to be considered for this opportunity we encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment as if applications are high the role will close before the closing date given.

AWE is currently recruiting for a Senior Procurement Manager to focus on the procurement of capital investment projects covering construction, site infrastructure improvements, and asset replacement, refurbishment, and demolition.

Location

Green Park (Reading) with free onsite parking.

Package

From £63,270 up to £80,000 (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.

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?

You will report into the Principal Procurement Manager and be responsible for developing and delivering strategic sourcing events and supplier relationship management, supporting one of the UK's largest and most strategic infrastructure investments over the next 15 years.

There are two newly created positions available. The first with a salary of up to £75,000. The second is to fulfil all duties of the Senior Procurement Manager plus acting as Deputy for the Principal Procurement Manager when required, with a base salary of up to £80,000. Both are subject to experience and capability.

As the Senior Procurement Manager, you will:

• Lead a category team of up to 6 procurement professionals of varying levels of experience, working in a matrix environment, including all line, task, and performance management.
• Drive end-to-end procurement project management and reporting, owning procurement plans, navigating matrix teams, managing critical paths, and mitigating risk to ensure timely contract award.
• Manage the development of AWE procurement strategy, market engagements, and tender execution, using collaborative and innovative procurement and contract strategies.
• Be responsible for developing route to market solutions that adopt latest procurement thinking, ensuring compliance to procurement regulations and our commitments to equality, fairness, and transparency.
• Translate business requirements into clear, actionable procurement strategies, working alongside the relevant Commercial Manager to develop project and programme sourcing strategies.
• Work with the Principal Procurement Manager and stakeholders to shape and maintain a clear and robust pipeline of future procurement requirements.

As part of your role, you will manage the procurement of complex infrastructure solutions, including alliances and strategic partnerships. You will support the development and implementation of relevant procurement processes, contributing to a culture that shares best practice and strives to continuously improve. You will ensure compliance with government procurement regulations, and AWE's structured procurement processes.

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking experienced and people-oriented Procurement, Category or Sourcing Managers with significant experience in the regulated procurement of complex works and services. You will also ideally be MCIPS qualified. Given the broader experience and capability of the team, these roles are not suitable as development opportunities.

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

• A keen eye for data, high attention to detail, and a 'we can if' solution‑focussed mindset.
• Extensive experience in construction procurement, with a proven background within major infrastructure, utilities, rail, or equivalent (focussed on large‑scale projects), or extensive experience in minor works including civils, MEP, equipment fit‑out, refurbishments, or equivalent.
• Experience of drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex contractual arrangements, preferably using a variety of pricing arrangements and incentive models under NEC contracts, either directly or with support from subject matter experts.
• Operating within a regulated procurement environment, complying with the Procurement Act 2023, with significant experience of the prior regime (the Public Contract Regulations 2015 or equivalent).
• Developing, leading and performance managing people.
• Developing and implementing tender, evaluation, and negotiation strategies, including subcontract provisions.
• Strategic category management, with an understanding and appreciation of modern procurement practices.
• Working in cross‑functional teams across multiple programmes.
• Understanding of and ability to apply the requirements and principles of the Sourcing Playbook, Construction Playbook, and HM Treasury's five case model (ideally).

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 2-3 day onsite per week.

Next steps:

Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don't always 'tick every box'. That's why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don't meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and 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 therefore closes.
• You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.
• We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.
• Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.

Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.