Senior Supply Chain Development Manager - Reading

AWE plc; Binfield Heath; Hybrid; GBP 63,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9-day working fortnight

Generous pension (9–13% of pensionable

Family-friendly policies

Professional development funding

Employee assistance & health services

Life assurance

Discounts

Volunteer leave

Job summary

AWE plc is seeking a Senior Supply Chain Development Manager to lead a new Supply Chain Development team. Based in Reading with hybrid working, you will develop frameworks and governance across the supply chain, driving supplier performance and ESG outcomes during major procurement and tender activities for the replacement warhead programme.

You will report to the Principal Supply Chain Development Manager and work with Commercial, Programme, and other stakeholders to embed best practices and

Qualifications

• Proven experience in developing supply chain strategy and SRM governance.
• Experience designing and implementing governance frameworks, policies, and operating models.
• Ability to integrate sustainability, ESG, social value, and SME participation into procurement strategies.
• Strong ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead cross-functional teams.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills; able to run supplier engagement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Develop supply chain frameworks, methodologies, and tools to strengthen supplier relationships.
• Embed ESG, supplier diversity, and social value into supply chain activities.
• Drive improvements in supplier performance and maturity across the business.
• Lead the Supply Chain Development Team and collaborate with Commercial, Programme, and Supply Chain communities.
• Deliver initiatives to position AWE as a Client of Choice in key markets.

Skills

Strategy development

SRM governance

Stakeholder influencing

Sustainability & ESG

Supplier engagement

Leadership

Communication & presentation

Job description

Senior Supply Chain Development Manager - Reading

Location: Binfield Heath, Oxfordshire, GB, RG9 4

Job Type: Full-Time

Salary: 63,270 - 85,000 per annum (depending on experience)

Application Deadline: 2026-12-26T03:02:52.217

Work Location & Pattern: Reading, with free onsite parking. 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.

Introduction

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?

Role Overview

The Senior Supply Chain Development Manager plays a pivotal role within a newly established Supply Chain Development team, responsible for enabling the Commercial function to deliver a coherent, strategic, and enterprise-wide approach to supply chain development across AWE. The role supports the organisation through a significant period of procurement and tendering activity associated with the replacement warhead programme, ensuring that supply chain capability frameworks are established and embedded across the business.

Reporting to the Principal Supply Chain Development Manager, the role is accountable for developing supply chain management frameworks, methodologies, standards, tools, and best practices that strengthen supplier relationships, improve supply chain performance, and position AWE as a Client of Choice. The role also leads the team in advancing sustainability, social value, and supplier inclusion objectives.

Key Accountabilities

• Establishing and maintaining a robust supplier governance methodology and Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) framework that supports strategic business objectives.
• Ensuring consistent supplier segmentation and performance management approaches are adopted across AWE.
• Creating and maintaining supply chain policies, procedures, standards, tools, and templates.
• Driving improvements in supplier relationship maturity and embedding best-practice supplier management principles.
• Delivering initiatives that enhance AWE's position as a preferred customer within key supply markets through the Client of Choice strategy.
• Planning and delivering supplier engagement programmes, forums, and communication activities.
• Embedding ESG, supplier diversity, SME participation, and social value considerations into supply chain development activities.
• Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring effective collaboration across Commercial, Programme, and Supply Chain communities.
• Developing a high performing Supply Chain Development Team.

Candidate Profile

While not an exhaustive list, we would like you to have experience in some of the following:

• Proven professional experience, especially in developing strategy within supply chain development and SRM.
• Experience in developing SME strategies that align with wider supply development strategies.
• Experience collaborating with and influencing senior business stakeholders.
• Designing and implementing supply chain governance frameworks, policies, procedures, and operating models.
• Integrating sustainability, ESG, social value, supplier diversity, and SME participation objectives into procurement and supply chain strategies.
• Developing and implementing enterprise-wide supply chain frameworks, governance models, and improvement strategies aligned to organisational objectives.
• Strong credibility and influencing skills with senior leaders, suppliers, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, including leading supplier engagement initiatives, workshops, and forums.
• Proven ability to implement new processes, methodologies, and ways of working to enhance supply chain performance and organisational maturity.
• Ability to work effectively in complex and ambiguous environments.
• Role model for innovation and continuous improvement.

Benefits

Work hard, be rewarded: We set the bar high because our work truly matters. In return, we offer balance with award-winning benefits including:

• 9-day working fortnight - every other Friday off, plus 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market-leading contributory pension scheme (9% to 13% of pensionable pay).
• Family-friendly policies: Maternity Leave (39 weeks full pay), Paternity Leave (4 weeks full pay).
• Opportunities for professional career development, including funding for relevant professional memberships.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Life Assurance (4 times annual salary).
• Discounts on everyday spending.
• Special Leave Policy for volunteering, public service, and caring responsibilities.