At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement for professional services, managing multiple projects and engaging with stakeholders.
- Company: AWE, a key player in national nuclear security with a mission to keep the UK safe.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive pay, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace culture that values diversity and encourages unique contributions.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team tackling critical challenges in national defence and security.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement, strong stakeholder management, and active SC clearance required.
The predicted salary is between 56250 - 68750 £ per year.
On behalf of AWE, we are looking for a Category Manager - Professional Services (Inside IR35) for a 6 month contract based hybrid in Green Park, Reading.
Office attendance is 2 days a week.
What if you could work on something that you can't test… but cannot afford to fail?
Something that could have spent years on a submarine, is launched into outer space (where the temperature is below -250c), comes hurtling through the atmosphere, being heated up and shaken and then must work?
Some challenge.
That's exactly what the team of over 6,500 people at AWE do every day delivering important work, in support of the most important mission - keeping the nation safe.
AWE plays a crucial role in national nuclear security.
Their role in nuclear deterrence and their specialist technical assistance to nuclear threat reduction is vital in the defence against the most serious threats faced by the UK.
Working to support the defence of our country, AWE has a clear mission to keep everyone, the environment, their products and information, sites, and everything around them, safe and secure.
Role profile
This role will focus on the procurement of Professional Services and Consultancy spend categories, supporting strategic sourcing activities, supplier management, procurement delivery, and stakeholder engagement across a diverse range of business projects.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced procurement professional who enjoys managing multiple procurement initiatives, engaging with senior stakeholders, and driving value through effective sourcing and supplier relationship management.
As a Category Manager - Professional Services, your main responsibilities will be to:
PLEASE NOTE: Active SC Clearance is an essential requirement for this role, as a minimum you must be willing & eligible to undergo checks.
Please note, due to the exceptional requirements of this position (short-term nature of this role and speed at which we require a postholder in situ) preference may be given to candidates who meet all of the essential criteria and hold active security clearance.
- Deliver category management and strategic sourcing activities across assigned indirect spend categories.
- Support and execute category strategies to achieve business objectives, cost efficiencies, and risk mitigation.
- Lead end-to-end procurement and tendering activities, including RFx processes, supplier evaluation, negotiations, contract award, and implementation.
- Manage procurement activity through established frameworks and call-off agreements, including CCS and other public sector frameworks.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders to understand business requirements and provide procurement guidance.
- Manage supplier performance, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations, KPIs, and SLAs.
- Support supplier relationship management activities, including supplier segmentation, performance reviews, risk assessment, and mitigation planning.
- Identify opportunities for cost savings and operational improvements across the supply chain.
- Conduct market analysis, supplier benchmarking, and commercial assessments to support procurement decisions.
- Ensure all procurement activities comply with relevant procurement regulations, internal policies, governance requirements, and ethical standards.
- Manage multiple procurement projects simultaneously, prioritising workload effectively to meet business demands.
Essential
- Strong experience managing professional services and consultancy procurement activities.
- Proven experience delivering end-to-end procurement and tendering processes.
- Public sector or regulated industry experience.
• Strongknowledge of public procurement regulations, including
- Public Contracts Regulations (PCR 2015)
- Utilities Contracts Regulations (UCR)
- Procurement Act 2023 (PA23)
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and guide business stakeholders.
- Experience managing multiple projects and procurement activities simultaneously.
Desirable
- Professional services, consultancy, IT, engineering, or indirect procurement category experience.
- Experience using Oracle, Jaggaer, or other e-procurement systems.
- Active SC Clearance
Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.
AWE's ambition is to create workplaces that recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and where people feel able to be themselves at work.
They strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants.
Disability Confident
As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, AWE guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy.
In cases that we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.
This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply.
In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.
Armed Forces Covenant
AWE guarantees to interviewveterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria.
In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all the essential criteria, wewill interview the best candidates from within that group.
In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.
In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation.
Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs.
As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".
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Category Manager - Professional Services in Reading employer: Public Sector Resourcing, managed by AMS
The Ministry of Defence offers a unique opportunity for professionals seeking to make a significant impact in the public sector. With a strong commitment to employee development, a collaborative work culture, and a focus on innovation, you will be part of a team that drives meaningful change across Defence. Enjoy competitive benefits and the chance to work on high-profile projects that contribute to national security.
Contact Details:
Public Sector Resourcing, managed by AMS Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager - Professional Services in Reading
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - Professional Services in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Public Sector Resourcing, managed by AMS that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Public Sector Resourcing, managed by AMS can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Public Sector Resourcing, managed by AMS that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Public Sector Resourcing, managed by AMS know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Public Sector Resourcing, managed by AMS
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
