Senior Category Manager – Production Services (Modularisation)
Location: Hybrid, based from Derby, Manchester or Warrington
Salary: £75,473 – £93,187 dependent on experience + 17% bonus + £5,000 benefits allowance
Our mission is to deliver clean, affordable energy for all. Rolls Royce SMR provides a British solution to a global energy challenge, leading the way in Small Modular Reactor technology and shaping the UK’s premier green export opportunity.
Our Procurement & Supply Chain organisation is critical to delivering our first SMR and the long term fleet deployment that will follow. The Production Services (Modularisation) category is fundamental to this covering the high value, highly engineered modular assemblies that form the core building blocks of the SMR powerplant. These modules combine mechanical, electrical, nuclear and structural elements, and their sourcing represents some of the most technically challenging, strategically important and capability defining areas of our entire supply chain.
To support this, we’re looking for a Senior Category Manager – Production Services (Modularisation) to lead strategic category development, manage high value supplier portfolios and build a capable, resilient and innovative supply base for one of the UK’s most advanced engineering programmes.
Reporting to the Head of Category, you’ll own the global sourcing strategy, shape key supplier relationships and lead a team to deliver excellence across quality, cost, schedule and risk.
What You’ll Be Doing
* Lead the category strategy for Production Services (Modularisation), developing and delivering sourcing strategies that optimise cost, risk, resilience, sustainability and long term lifecycle performance.
* Manage a complex, high value multiyear category portfolio, covering engineered module fabrication, assembly and integration services central to SMR production.
* Establish and manage long term strategic supplier relationships, driving capability development, performance improvement, localisation and supply chain resilience.
* Lead cross functional sourcing teams and collaborate closely with Engineering, Quality, Programme Delivery, Manufacturing and Operations to align technical and commercial requirements.
* Run complex strategic procurement activities including sourcing, tendering, evaluation, negotiation, contract development, award and mobilisation.
* Negotiate major contracts and long-term agreements, ensuring compliance with legal, ethical, nuclear, regulatory and sustainability standards.
* Apply market intelligence, cost modelling, benchmarking and data analytics to inform strategy, underpin decision making and reduce category risk.
* Lead, coach and develop a team to build a high performing, business aligned procurement capability.
* Drive initiatives such as value engineering, supplier consolidation, contract standardisation, modularisation improvements and lifecycle value optimisation.
What You’ll Bring
* Strong experience in Category Management with a proven track record of delivering value, risk reduction and strategic sourcing outcomes.
* Demonstrable experience managing complex technical categories ideally within manufacturing, modular assembly, engineered services, fabrication, and/or advanced industrial supply chains.
* Strong commercial acumen with experience in contract development, complex negotiations and long term supplier relationship management.
* Excellent analytical, data driven decision making skills and the ability to interpret technical, cost and market information.
* Experience working with suppliers in engineering, modular build, production services or industrialised manufacturing environments (nuclear background beneficial).
* Confidence engaging with senior stakeholders internally and within suppliers, operating with high ethical and professional standards.
* Strong planning, organisation and project management skills.
* Degree or equivalent experience is essential; MCIPS or similar qualifications are desirable.
* Minimum 5 years’ procurement experience with at least 3 years’ operating at a senior or lead level.
Location & Ways of Working
This role can be based from our Derby, Manchester or Warrington office.
We operate hybrid working, with regular weekly office attendance expected.
Some travel may be required depending on supplier or programme needs.
What’s in it for you?
Salary: £75,473 – £93,187 depending on experience.
Benefits Include
* 17% performance related bonus
* £5,000 annual benefits allowance
* 12% employer pension / 6% employee
* 28 days holiday + public holidays
* Private Medical Insurance (BUPA)
* Life Assurance – 6× pensionable pay
* £250 home office setup payment
Benefits & Working Environment
* A flexible, inclusive and supportive working environment
* Opportunities for development and long term career growth
* A culture built on collaboration, diversity and continuous learning
Why Join Us?
* A flexible, inclusive, and supportive working environment.
* Opportunities for career growth in a rapidly scaling business.
* A culture that values diversity, innovation, and continuous learning.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Inclusivity is important to us, and as a Disability Confident organisation, we are committed to fair, supportive, and continually improving recruitment practices that ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Confidence can sometimes hold us back from applying for a job. But we'll let you in on a secret: there's no such thing as a 'perfect' candidate. If you feel you meet 75% of the requirements for this role, we would love to hear from you.
Also, if you are considering a career move or a sector-jump, please get in touch – we welcome applications from people with transferable skills.
Our Application Process
* Obtaining Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance
* Satisfactory completion of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
* Satisfactory completion of a basic financial probity check
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