Supply Chain Manager

On behalf of AWE , we are looking for a Supply Chain Manager - Inside IR35 for a 18 month contract based on site in Burghfield.

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.

Key Accountabilities:

- Ensure alignment and collaboration between SCM and the Tech Centres to identify the demand plan and drive value for money though effective commercial strategy and prioritisation planning. Ensure an effective handshake between the programme and the SCM function on the pipeline of activity to be delivered.
- Act as a senior leader in commercial solutioning for the Tech Centre, including Make Team Buy recommendations, total cost of ownership considerations etc ., with early involvement in all key commercial decisions , working closely with the Tech Centre Director and their senior leadership team.
- Is a “trusted advisor” to the Tech Centre, advising on key commercial matters and acting as the interface between SCM and the Tech Centre to ensure priorities are clearly understood, constructively challenged , articulated and met by the SCM team.
- Develops mature cross-functional working capabilities which deliver optimal commercial outcomes and strengthen relationships between SCM and the Tech Centre.
- Key interface with each Programme Director (RW / WUT / NTR / Trident) to understand and manage demand signals into each Tech Centre and translate into SCM strategic demands including Make Team Buy decisions .
- Act as a key interface on behalf of the Commercial function within the Business Unit, Programme or Enabling Function, increasing commercial awareness and ensuring that Commercial plays a strategic role, working collaboratively to develop commercial solutions to inform the commercial strategy which is delivered by the Commercial Delivery Towers.
- You will agree demand plans for Commercial and understand & constructively challenge business requirements to ensure effective and commercially viable solutions are implemented.
- You will also play a pivotal role in ensuring that the Business Unit, Programme or Enabling Function understands the role of Commercial in developing and implementing supply chain solutions which deliver most value for the Business Unit, Programme or Enabling Function.
- The role will report into the Head of Commercial Partnering.

Key Responsibilities:

- Ensures alignment and collaboration between Commercial and the Business Unit, Programme or Enabling Function to identify the demand plan and drive value for money though effective commercial strategy and prioritisation planning. Ensure an effective handshake between the programme and the Commercial function on the pipeline of activity to be delivered.
- Act as a leader in commercial solutioning for the Business Unit, Programme or Enabling Function, including Make, Team, Buy recommendations, total cost of ownership considerations etc ., with early involvement in all key commercial decisions , working closely with the Business Unit or Programme Director and their senior leadership team.
- Is a “trusted advisor” to the Business Unit, Programme or Enabling Function, advising on key commercial matters and acting as the interface between Commercial and the Business Unit, Programme or Enabling Function to ensure priorities are clearly understood, constructively challenged , articulated and met by the Commercial team.
- Develops mature cross-functional working capabilities which deliver optimal commercial outcomes and strengthen relationships between Commercial and the Business Unit, Programme or Enabling Function.
- Key interface with each Programme to understand and manage demand signals into each Business Unit, Programme or Enabling Function and translate into Commercial strategic demands including Make, Team, Buy decisions .
- Develop and implement commercial strategy and solutions for the Tech Centre
- Act as the SCM commercial lead in all investment planning decisions (including make Team Buy recommendations)
- Building relationships with key stakeholders through early involvement and initiative -taking engagement
- Develops the Tech Centre pipeline of activity and co-ordinates with the wider SCM teams to schedule and prioritise
- In a coordinated manner, conduct early market engagement to understand capacity and capability and build appetite in the market for AWE as client of choice
- Develop a Learning from Experience (LfE) strategy and maintain register of forecast/secured business improvements
- Act as the senior interface and accountable person for all relevant commercial supply chain matters including escalations for the business unit
- Proactively seeking synergies and alignment in the supply chain, including aggregation and efficiencies opportunities to maximise value for money
- Identification of risk and working closely with the business to mitigate risk to the extent possible
- Where relevant, ensure category strategies are implemented and embedded within the business
- Develop and build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Ensuring there is an effective communication strategy that informs key stakeholders of new policies, procedures and overarching supply chain strategy

PLEASE NOTE: DV 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.

Essential:

- Active DV clearance
- Sole UK National
- Experience working within supply chain or procurement (minimum 5-7 Years)
- Experience working within high regulated industries – Public sector, defence, aerospace,
- Good Manufacturing Experience (GMP) within manufacturing industries – aerospace, automotive, defence, etc
- Excellent analytical and reporting skills
- ERP system experience
- Background managing suppliers and supporting contract deliveries
- Experience negotiating with suppliers
- Ability to take control and prioritise when being pulled around by various stakeholders but to do this in a sensitive manner
- Can maintain compliance and policy as a commercial function
- MS Office

Desirable:

- MCIPS or other relevant qualifications
- SAP
- AWE experience

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 Disability Confident employer, AWE encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent candidates . Applications from candidates who identify as having a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

As a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, AWE welcome applications from veterans, service leavers, reservists and military spouses or partners. Applications from eligible candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the 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".