Average Category Manager salary in Reading

Principal Category Manager Contract: 18 monthsLocation: Reading (2-3 days per week onsite)IR35 Status: Inside IR35Headcount: 1Category: Non-Digital Security Clearance DV clearance required Candidates with active SC may start and will be sponsored through DV Sole UK nationals preferred (dual nationals may be considered) Role Overview we are seeking an experienced Principal Category Manager to lead and shape commercial strategy within a complex, highly regulated public-sector environment. This is a senior role with responsibility for driving pre-contract activity, managing a small commercial team, and delivering robust procurement strategies across infrastructure and construction categories. Key Responsibilities Lead the commercial strategy team, setting direction and priorities Line/task management of approximately 6 team members Develop and deliver sourcing and category strategies Lead external framework commercial strategy, including engagement and delivery End-to-end procurement delivery, with a strong focus on pre-contract activity Deliver infrastructure and construction procurement strategies Manage and influence senior stakeholders across internal and external environments Ensure compliance with Procurement Act and public procurement regulations Essential Skills & Experience Proven experience in a senior commercial or category management role Strong background in public-sector procurement Demonstrable experience producing and implementing sourcing strategies Experience working with and leading external frameworks Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving capability Excellent stakeholder management skills at all levels (written and verbal) Solid knowledge of procurement regulations and legislation Experience delivering infrastructure / construction strategies Reasonable Adjustments: Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients. If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.

Senior Category Manager - SC Cleared Duration: 12 MonthsRate: £450-£550 Outside IR35Clearance: SC ClearanceLocation: Reading 3 days per week We're looking for a commercially sharp Category Manager to own and deliver category strategies across a defined portfolio. You'll balance short-term savings with long-term value, drive competitive sourcing, and build strong, performance-led supplier relationships that directly support the organisation's wider objectives. This is a role for someone who's confident operating in complexity - shaping strategy, leading sourcing activity end-to-end, and providing commercial assurance across high-value, high-risk contracts. What You'll Be Doing Own and deliver category strategies, aligned to business priorities, cost efficiency targets, and long-term value creation Lead complex sourcing activity end to end - RFx, supplier evaluation, negotiation, contract award and handover Act as the commercial lead for your categories, providing contractual and commercial assurance throughout the lifecycle Manage and develop key and critical suppliers, driving performance, managing risk, and unlocking additional value Lead supplier engagement at senior levels, including Management and Executive Business Reviews Embed robust supplier segmentation, performance management, and risk mitigation practices Provide market insight, benchmarking, and business intelligence to inform category decisions Forecast spend, manage commercial risk, and assess the impact of change across contracts Work closely with internal stakeholders and service centres to ensure seamless delivery and governance What You'll Bring Strong experience in category management and strategic sourcing Proven ability to manage high-value, complex contracts and supplier relationships Commercially astute, with a clear understanding of total cost of ownership and lifecycle value Confident stakeholder manager, able to influence at all levels Experience working within structured procurement or category management frameworks A proactive, delivery-focused mindset with strong commercial judgement Reasonable Adjustments: Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients. If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.

AWE is recruiting a Category Manager (Framework Manager) to get involved in the procurement of categories for Capital Projects to support our utilities Infrastructure. Salary: from £47,760 (depending on your suitability and level of experience). Location: Reading (Green Park), 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. 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 a Category Manager, you will help shape the wider category strategy for utilities infrastructure and enable the delivery of our strategic frameworks including developing task order agreements with utilities team and supplier negotiation to agree project price and schedule. You will be running tenders up to 50 million pounds within agreed frameworks, and working with the strategic sourcing team to procure complex procurements. We are ideally seeking individuals with commercial contract management experience, who have public procurement regulations knowledge. You will have an understanding of the end-to-end procurement process, including pre and post contract, and experience of utilising contract management tools such as CEMAR. To ensure success as a Category Manager, you will ideally have previous experience of NEC 4 contracts, and an understanding of how translate business requirements and will be motivated to drive value for money, applying industry leading contract management techniques to mitigate commercial risk. Who are we looking for? We are ideally looking for Category Managers with previous experience of utilities or working in a highly regulated environment and understands the importance of governance is advantageous, but not essential. Candidates working towards CIPS membership or willing to start training, as part of your ongoing development plan, is preferred. Whilst not to be considered a tick list, we'd like you to have experience in some of the following: Developing and maintaining relationships with Suppliers. Understanding the requirements, duties and obligations of AWE under contracts to ensure alignment with the Business' goals and the industry regulations. Supervising contract execution to ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines. Monitoring the implementation and performance of KPI's. Obtaining the appropriate governance approvals. Managing and mitigating risks. Creating meaningful relationships with Stakeholders. 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: 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 2-3 days onsite per week. #LI-RS1 #LI-Hybrid