Assistant Category Specialist

Role Overview

AWE is an organisation with a unique and vital purpose: protecting the UK through world‑class nuclear science and technology. By joining our team as an Assistant Category Specialist, you’ll help provide support to the commercial function across processes, systems, supplier management, governance and reporting.

Location: Reading, with free onsite parking.

Package: From £30,090 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience)

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9‑day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests to suit your lifestyle.

• Supporting and contributing to procurement and contract management processes and analysis.
• Supporting and contributing to reviews of processes and systems.
• Managing and maintaining commercial data (e.g., electronic purchasing system, contractual/supplier records) and/or document libraries.
• Supporting supplier on‑boarding and record management.
• Ensuring Supply Chain processes, tools and systems are understood and adhered to.
• Working with key stakeholders to ensure the speedy resolution of queries.

We are seeking an Assistant Category Specialist with previous experience as a Buyer in a procurement function, ideally in a category‑led team. Candidates should have an understanding of category management and procurement processes, with exposure to indirect spend areas such as IT or professional services, which would be beneficial.

Strong computer skills are essential, particularly with MS Office and data analysis; you should be comfortable using spreadsheets.

Desired experience (not an exhaustive list):

• Proficiency in Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Experience using electronic purchasing systems (e.g., Oracle and other information management tools).
• Ability to adapt communications to a range of stakeholders.
• Preference for working in a highly regulated, compliance‑driven environment.
• Proactive approach, tackling issues before they become problems.

Hybrid working is available on an informal, non‑contractual basis—typically 2–3 days onsite per week.

• 9‑day working fortnight (every other Friday off) plus 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market‑leading contributory pension scheme (AWE pays between 9% and 13% of pensionable pay, depending on your contributions).
• Family‑friendly policies: 39‑week maternity leave (full pay) and 4‑week paternity leave (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 × annual salary).
• Discounts on everyday spending.
• Special leave policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

• 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, funded by AWE. The nature of our work requires you to be a British citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.
• If you need any adjustments or accommodations during the recruitment process, please let us know on your application form.
• Interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a one‑stage process.

We encourage diverse applicants to apply. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application and CV. The information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or hiring decisions.

Please note that you must be a British citizen to apply for this role.