At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage supplier contracts and ensure timely delivery of products and services.
- Company: Join AWE, a leader in the defence and engineering sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 9-day working fortnight, competitive salary, and excellent benefits.
- Other info: Great career development opportunities and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving supplier performance and operational success.
- Qualifications: Experience in supply chain or contract management is essential.
Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.
Package: £47,440 - £55,000 plus excellent benefits.
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.
As an Operational Contract Manager, you will play a vital role in ensuring the successful delivery of externally manufactured products and services that support AWE's operational requirements. Acting as the key interface between suppliers and internal stakeholders, you will drive supplier performance, maintain delivery schedules, and ensure contractual obligations are met to the highest standards.
This is an exciting opportunity to join AWE in a highly visible role responsible for the operational management of strategic supplier contracts and external manufacturing activities. You will be accountable for ensuring critical suppliers deliver safely, on time, to quality standards, and within budget, whilst supporting the delivery of key business objectives.
Working closely with Commercial, Operations, Planning, Logistics and Quality teams, you will lead supplier engagement activities, manage operational risks, and drive continuous improvement across a complex supply chain. You will also play a key role in contract management, supplier performance monitoring, and supporting strategic sourcing decisions.
The successful candidate will build strong relationships internally and externally, providing operational leadership across supplier contracts and ensuring suppliers remain aligned to business requirements and delivery expectations.
What you'll be responsible for:
- Managing and maintaining the external manufacturing order book in partnership with Planning and Delivery teams.
- Taking ownership of delivery performance and recovering at-risk supply to ensure business requirements are met.
- Acting as the primary interface between suppliers and key internal stakeholders across Commercial, Operations, Quality, Planning and Logistics.
- Leading the operational management of strategic supplier contracts and agreements following contract award.
- Monitoring supplier performance against agreed KPIs, quality requirements, budgets and delivery schedules.
- Identifying, managing and mitigating operational and supply chain risks.
- Supporting contract negotiations and ensuring suppliers remain compliant with contractual, legal and regulatory requirements.
- Leading supplier performance reviews, audits and site visits to drive continuous improvement.
- Managing supplier transitions and transformation activities where changes in supplier arrangements occur.
- Supporting operational input into supplier capability assessments and Make versus Buy decisions.
- Producing operational performance reports and presenting key updates to stakeholders and governance forums.
- Developing strong supplier relationships that support long-term operational success and value for money.
Who are we looking for?
We are seeking a confident and experienced supply chain or contract management professional who can effectively manage supplier relationships, influence stakeholders, and drive operational performance within a complex and highly regulated environment.
Essential experience and skills:
- Proven experience managing strategic or critical supplier contracts.
- Experience driving supplier performance and delivering operational outcomes against business requirements.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to build effective relationships at all levels, including senior leaders, suppliers and external partners.
- Experience managing operational risk and implementing effective mitigation plans.
- Strong contract management and commercial awareness.
- Demonstrable leadership experience, with the ability to motivate and develop high-performing teams.
- Experience working successfully in a fast-paced and highly pressurised environment.
- Excellent problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively across cross-functional teams.
- Degree educated or able to demonstrate an equivalent level of experience.
Desirable experience:
- Membership of a relevant professional body.
- Familiarity with ERP systems such as SAP and supply chain planning tools.
- Working knowledge of regulatory frameworks including environmental, explosive or nuclear industry regulations.
- Experience within defence, manufacturing, engineering or similarly regulated sectors.
Important things you need to know:
- Ability to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role, must be a British National.
- 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.
Operational Contract Manager in Reading employer: Atomic Weapons Establishment
As a Quality Inspector Apprentice, you will join a forward-thinking organisation that prioritises employee development and offers a supportive work culture. With a competitive starting salary and generous benefits, including a market-leading pension scheme and extensive holiday entitlement, you will have the opportunity to learn from industry leaders while contributing to vital national security initiatives in the Aldermaston/Reading area. This apprenticeship not only provides hands-on experience but also fosters personal growth through academic studies and practical application of engineering principles.
Contact Details:
Atomic Weapons Establishment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operational Contract Manager in Reading
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We think you need these skills to ace Operational Contract Manager in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:In your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight your understanding of logistics and supply chain management principles. Mention any relevant courses you've taken or tools you've used, like inventory management software or data analysis platforms, to showcase your skills and keep up with best practices in the industry.
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your previous work experience, remember to use numbers wherever possible. Did you improve delivery times by a specific percentage? Did you help reduce costs? These kinds of quantified achievements not only catch the eye but also demonstrate your capability in the logistics sector.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Atomic Weapons Establishment:This is your chance to really connect with the team at Atomic Weapons Establishment. In your cover letter, express why you're passionate about supply chain logistics and how your goals align with the company’s mission. A little personalisation goes a long way!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you've got any certifications related to logistics or supply chain management—like APICS or Six Sigma—make sure you flaunt them! These show that you're committed to your professional development and can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Atomic Weapons Establishment
✨Know Your Logistics Tools
Make sure you're familiar with key logistics software and tools like SAP or Oracle ERP. These are often used in the industry, and being able to demonstrate your knowledge or experience with them can really set you apart during your interview with Atomic Weapons Establishment.
✨Perfect Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect to tackle scenarios that showcase your problem-solving skills. Think about past experiences where you've had to optimise supply chains or handle logistics challenges. Have a few examples ready to discuss how you made decisions that led to improvements.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Supply chain roles heavily rely on teamwork and communication. Be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with others in previous roles. Maybe share a time when you coordinated with a team to resolve a logistical hiccup. This can show Atomic Weapons Establishment that you're a team player!
✨Understand the Big Picture
Be ready to talk about the broader logistics and supply chain trends. Having insights into current challenges in the industry, like sustainability or lead times, can impress the interviewers at Atomic Weapons Establishment. Show them you’re not just focused on the day-to-day but also have a strategic mindset!
