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- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing and supplier management for Facilities Infrastructure.
- Company: AWE is dedicated to national safety and offers a dynamic work environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 9-day working fortnight, generous leave, and a top pension scheme.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; hybrid model with onsite days.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your career in a supportive culture.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic procurement and stakeholder management is preferred.
The predicted salary is between 47760 - 65000 £ per year.
Category Manager – Facilities Infrastructure – Reading, Berkshire, RG7 4PR
Job Type: Full-TimeSalary: £47760 – £65000 per annum
AWE is recruiting a Category Manager to be responsible for the implementation and delivery of Category Management, Strategic Sourcing and Supplier Relationship Management for the Facilities Infrastructure team.
Location: RG7 4PR , located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking . Relocating to Green Park from October 2025.
Package: £47,760 to £65,000 (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?
As the Category Manager, you will focus on the strategic management within the Facilities Infrastructure Team, which includes but is not limited to the following categories: Soft services (landscaping, security, catering, PPE Workwear and Signage), Hard Services (small work projects), Equipment Calibration Utilities, Waste Management, Fuels and Oils, Transport, Logistical equipment and Consumables, Spares tools and consumables.
This will include understanding business strategies, spend profiles, markets, business requirements, risks, opportunities, and economic factors, to develop a strategy that will underpin our long-term commercial decisions.
You will execute strategic sourcing activities and supplier relationship management in order to manage the procurement of your assigned category, with the ultimate objective of leveraging and securing AWE\’s supplier base to support its current and future business requirements, whilst mitigating risks.
You will work closely with key internal and external stakeholders and supply partners, with key elements of the role including:
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Developing and implementing category strategies to deliver robust commercial outcomes.
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Supporting and executing strategic sourcing activities in line with approved category strategies and governance procedures, including the execution of the tender process, supplier evaluation and selection, contract negotiation, business award and contract handover to the business.
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Support the execution of Supplier Relationship Management for key suppliers, including supplier segmentation, contract management, supplier risks identification and mitigation.
Who are we looking for?
We are ideally looking for Category Managers who look at procurement with a strategic focus rather than through a tactical lens. Those who look at the bigger picture, providing commercially robust solutions to secure supply for the long-term, and deliver value for money.
Previous public sector experience or worked in a highly regulated environment and understands the importance of governance is advantageous, but not essential.
Whilst not to be considered a tick list, we\’d like you to have experience in some of the following:
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Drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex contractual arrangements.
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Strategic category management.
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Managing multiple stakeholders and priorities.
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Pricing arrangements e.g. target cost incentive fee.
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Intellectual Property Rights, Trade Controls and Earned Value Management.
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Preparing tender packages, conducting tender conferences, developing evaluation criteria, analysing and evaluating proposals, negotiating subcontract provisions, subcontractor selection.
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Working within a Commercial function.
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Delivering change programmes.
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Working in cross-functional teams across multiple programmes.
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:
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9-day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
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Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
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Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave – 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave – 4 Weeks Full Pay.
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Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
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Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
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Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
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Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
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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.
#LI-RS
#LI-Hybrid
Category Manager - Facilities Infrastructure - Reading employer: AWE Nuclear Security Technologies
Contact Detail:
AWE Nuclear Security Technologies Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager - Facilities Infrastructure - Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific categories mentioned in the job description, such as soft and hard services. Understanding these areas will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the procurement and facilities management sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who may have insights into AWE's culture and expectations for the Category Manager role.
✨Tip Number 3
Research AWE's recent projects and initiatives related to facilities infrastructure. Being able to discuss these during your interview will show that you've done your homework and are enthusiastic about contributing to their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management. Think of specific examples where you've successfully managed suppliers or implemented category strategies, as this will be crucial in demonstrating your fit for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - Facilities Infrastructure - Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in category management and procurement. Focus on strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, and any public sector experience you may have.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and how your skills align with AWE's mission. Mention specific examples of your previous work that demonstrate your ability to manage multiple stakeholders and deliver value for money.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise skills such as contract negotiation, strategic category management, and experience in regulated environments. Use keywords from the job description to ensure your application stands out.
Showcase Your Understanding of AWE: Demonstrate your knowledge of AWE's objectives and values in your application. Explain how you can contribute to their mission of keeping the nation safe through effective procurement strategies.
How to prepare for a job interview at AWE Nuclear Security Technologies
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a solid grasp of what a Category Manager does, especially in the context of Facilities Infrastructure. Familiarise yourself with the specific categories mentioned in the job description, such as soft and hard services, to demonstrate your knowledge during the interview.
✨Showcase Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples that highlight your strategic approach to procurement. Discuss how you've developed category strategies in the past and how they led to successful outcomes. This will show that you can think beyond the tactical aspects of the role.
✨Highlight Stakeholder Management Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience managing multiple stakeholders and priorities. Provide specific examples of how you've navigated complex relationships and ensured alignment among different parties, which is crucial for this role.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Anticipate questions that may ask you to solve hypothetical problems related to supplier relationship management or strategic sourcing. Practising these scenarios will help you articulate your thought process and decision-making skills effectively.