Senior Category Manager - Site Services

Overview

The Senior Category Manager will shape and deliver targeted category strategies across a diverse portfolio within the Site Services Category Management team at AWE, Reading. Compensation ranges from £63,270 to £80,000, depending on suitability, qualifications and level of experience. The role operates on a 9‑day working fortnight with the option for flexible working and on‑site parking.

• Develop and implement category strategies for Site Services.
• Own and manage contracts from sourcing through to delivery and ongoing management.
• Drive strategic sourcing activity including market engagement, tendering, negotiation and supplier selection.
• Build and maintain relationships with senior internal stakeholders to influence requirements, priorities and outcomes.
• Manage and develop supplier relationships to improve performance, deliver value and support long‑term partnership objectives.
• Monitor supplier performance and lead structured performance and review activities.
• Apply appropriate contracting approaches (e.g., NEC, AWE standard terms) to ensure effective risk allocation and commercial outcomes.
• Support the delivery of commercial strategies and programmes aligned to AWE’s organisational objectives.
• Lead, coach, and influence others within the function to support delivery of team and functional plans.
• Drive operational efficiency and continuous improvement in line with Commercial processes and governance requirements.

• Minimum CIPS Level4 qualification (or equivalent / working towards).
• Experience in end‑to‑end strategic sourcing including strategy, tendering, evaluation, negotiation, and award.
• Experience developing and delivering category strategies.
• Knowledge of public procurement regulations such as PCR
  2015 or PA23.
• Experience managing multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex contracts and framework agreements including commercial pricing models.
• Experience working within established Procurement or Category Management functions.
• Experience working in cross‑functional teams across programmes or projects.
• Line management experience is preferred.
• Strong commercial judgement, governance focus, and ability to deliver in a highly regulated environment.

• 9‑day working fortnight with every other Friday off.
• 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market‑leading contributory pension scheme (9%–13% employer contribution).
• Family‑friendly policies: 39‑week maternity leave full pay and 4‑week paternity leave full pay.
• Professional development funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Life assurance (4×annual salary).
• Discounts on everyday spending.
• Special Leave Policy – paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.
• Hybrid working available: typically 3 days on‑site per week.

This role requires a British Citizen and provision of security clearance, funded by AWE. The candidate must have resided in the UK for the past 5 years to qualify for SC clearance or 10 years for DV clearance.

We recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and aim to create an inclusive workplace. All applicants receive equal consideration regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, or other protected characteristics.