Operational Contract Manager

This is an exciting opportunity to join AWE in a highly visible role responsible for the operational management of strategic supplier contracts and external manufacturing activities. You will be accountable for ensuring critical suppliers deliver safely, on time, to quality standards, and within budget, whilst supporting the delivery of key business objectives.

Working closely with Commercial, Operations, Planning, Logistics and Quality teams, you will lead supplier engagement activities, manage operational risks, and drive continuous improvement across a complex supply chain. You will also play a key role in contract management, supplier performance monitoring, and supporting strategic sourcing decisions.

The successful candidate will build strong relationships internally and externally, providing operational leadership across supplier contracts and ensuring suppliers remain aligned to business requirements and delivery expectations.

• Managing and maintaining the external manufacturing order book in partnership with Planning and Delivery teams.

• Taking ownership of delivery performance and recovering at-risk supply to ensure business requirements are met.

• Acting as the primary interface between suppliers and key internal stakeholders across Commercial, Operations, Quality, Planning and Logistics.

• Leading the operational management of strategic supplier contracts and agreements following contract award.

• Monitoring supplier performance against agreed KPIs, quality requirements, budgets and delivery schedules.

• Identifying, managing and mitigating operational and supply chain risks.

• Supporting contract negotiations and ensuring suppliers remain compliant with contractual, legal and regulatory requirements.

• Leading supplier performance reviews, audits and site visits to drive continuous improvement.

• Managing supplier transitions and transformation activities where changes in supplier arrangements occur.

• Supporting operational input into supplier capability assessments and Make versus Buy decisions.

• Producing operational performance reports and presenting key updates to stakeholders and governance forums.

• Developing strong supplier relationships that support long-term operational success and value for money.

We are seeking a confident and experienced supply chain or contract management professional who can effectively manage supplier relationships, influence stakeholders, and drive operational performance within a complex and highly regulated environment.

• Proven experience managing strategic or critical supplier contracts.

• Experience driving supplier performance and delivering operational outcomes against business requirements.

• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to build effective relationships at all levels, including senior leaders, suppliers and external partners.

• Experience managing operational risk and implementing effective mitigation plans.

• Strong contract management and commercial awareness.

• Demonstrable leadership experience, with the ability to motivate and develop high-performing teams.

• Experience working successfully in a fast-paced and highly pressurised environment.

• Excellent problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively across cross-functional teams.

• Degree educated or able to demonstrate an equivalent level of experience.

• Membership of a relevant professional body.

• Familiarity with ERP systems such as SAP and supply chain planning tools.

• Working knowledge of regulatory frameworks including environmental, explosive or nuclear industry regulations.

• Experience within defence, manufacturing, engineering or similarly regulated sectors.

• Ability to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role, must be a British National

AWE has wide range of benefits to suit you. These include:

Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don’t meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we’d love to receive your application.

• We encourage you to 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. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. 
• We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.
• Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.

Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.