Principal Category Manager - Science & Engineering

Principal Category Manager

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, including Research and Development (R&D) and Manufacturing.

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

Package: £60,000 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 preferred 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:

• 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.
• 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'.

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.