Sourcing Event Senior Buyer - Reading in London

Are you ready to take on a challenging and rewarding role in a highly regulated environment? AWE is looking for a Sourcing Event Senior Buyer to join our Sourcing Event Management Team (SEMT). This is an exciting opportunity to lead complex and high-profile Source-to-Contract activities, ensuring compliance with public procurement regulations while delivering maximum value and mitigating risk.

Please note, this is a 15-month fixed term contract.

Package: From 47,760 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience).

Location: Reading, with free onsite parking.

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 (There is an opportunity to take advantage of Hybrid working which is available for this role on an informal, non-contractual basis).

As a Sourcing Event Senior Buyer, your role will be to work closely with the category management teams, uploading and processing sourcing event details into JAGGAER and administrating all on system activities through the full sourcing lifecycle. From government gate approval, strategy and tender readiness, to issuing tenders, gate approval for award, contract signing and mobilisation.

As well as working closely with the Category Management teams you will also have the opportunity to work closely with the SEMT Lead, helping to monitor system performance and identify and implement system & process improvement opportunities.

You will be the first point of contact (POC) for escalations in the sourcing event team and given opportunities to be involved in future training on process, systems and workflows within AWE, and will be supported so you can understand what is changing, what measures to put in place and how to be prepared to support the team.

You will be accountable for:

• Supporting the SEMT lead in oversight of all Projects, developing and reporting on SEMT performance requirements, and providing cover for SEMT lead where required.
• Taking ownership of end-to-end Source-to-Contract activities for complex procurements assigned to you.
• Managing tender processes and governance using procurement systems such as Jaggaer.
• Building strong relationships with stakeholders and SEMT colleagues to ensure timely delivery.
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives and championing best practice.
• Providing training and mentoring to team members and covering SEMT Manager duties when required.
• Acting as the first point of contact for assigned category towers and escalations.

We are ideally seeking individuals with strong procurement expertise, excellent stakeholder management skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, process-driven environment. You should be proactive, detail-oriented, and confident in communicating complex issues clearly.

Experience of using online sourcing software (i.e. JAGGAER, Oracle, Ariba or similar) would be beneficial but not essential as full training will be provided. Proactive approach to problem solving, tackling issues before they become problems. Knowledge of contractual arrangements and public procurement regulations, and experience with contract amendments and category management are desirable.

We do need you to have the following:

• Good general standard of education, including Maths and English, or equivalent experience.
• CIPS qualification or willingness to study towards the qualification.

Whilst not to be considered a tick list, it would be advantageous for you to have experience in some of the following:

• MS Office skills including Excel and Word.
• Experience using electronic purchasing systems (e.g., Jaggaer, Oracle, Ariba).
• Proven track record in Source-to-Contract activities for complex procurements.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to analyse data and manage tender documentation.
• Experience working in a highly regulated environment.
• Ability to plan, prioritise, and deliver objectives on time.

Some reasons we think you'll love it here:

• AWE has wide range of benefits to suit you. These include:
• 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.
• Opportunities for 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.
• Hybrid working is available for this role on an informal, non-contractual basis. Typically 2 days onsite per week.