Senior Supply Chain Development Manager Location: Hybrid, based from Derby, Manchester or Warrington Salary: £75,437 – £93,187 dependent on experience £5,000 bonus up to 17% performance bonus 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 Supply Chain function is central to establishing the industrial, commercial and operational foundations required to deliver our first SMR and future fleet deployment. Supplier Development plays a critical role in this — ensuring our global supply base is capable, prepared, and aligned to the standards, behaviours and performance required of a first‑of‑a‑kind nuclear programme. To help drive this, we’re looking for a Senior Supply Chain Development Manager to lead the enterprise deployment of our Supplier Readiness Framework (SRF), shape the maturity of our strategic suppliers, and ensure predictable, robust and scalable industrial readiness. Reporting to the Head of Supply Chain Development & Readiness, you’ll set direction, drive governance, and lead a high‑performing Supplier Development function for one of the UK’s most significant engineering programmes. What you’ll be doing Lead the enterprise strategy for Supplier Readiness and the deployment model for development activities across the RR SMR supply chain. Define where, when and how readiness activities are applied based on business risk, supplier criticality and programme priorities. Ensure consistent, high‑quality, risk‑based application of the Supplier Readiness Framework (SRF) across categories, regions and tiers. Provide enterprise‑level visibility of supplier capability, performance, delivery risk and readiness status. Lead governance forums, manage escalations and oversee interventions to mitigate supplier risk and prevent late‑stage delivery issues. Chair or sponsor readiness assessments, development plans and structured maturity improvement activity. Act as senior interface to Procurement, Industrialisation, Programmes, Quality, Manufacturing and wider leadership. Build strong, trust‑based supplier engagement models for strategic suppliers. Sponsor or lead major supplier recovery, transformation or capacity‑increase programmes. Own the governance frameworks, standards and operating model for Supplier Development and Readiness. Integrate readiness and development activity into the RR SMR Integrated Management System (IMS). Define clear expectations for behaviours, standards and execution quality across the Supplier Development function. Lead and develop a multi‑disciplinary team, uplifting capability, performance and leadership behaviours. Champion a culture of nuclear professionalism, operational discipline, integrity and transparent problem‑solving. Continuously refine and improve SRF tools, methods and lessons learned. Identify systemic capability gaps across the supply chain early and drive enterprise-level solutions. This is a pivotal leadership role shaping supplier maturity, delivery confidence and long‑term supply chain capability. You’ll operate at senior level across internal stakeholders and suppliers within a fast‑paced, technically complex and safety‑critical environment. What you’ll bring Senior leadership experience in supplier development, manufacturing operations, supply chain delivery or quality assurance. Strong experience leading multidisciplinary teams delivering assurance, improvement, readiness or transformation activity. Proven capability in structured assessments, maturity reviews, risk‑based governance and performance management. Experience influencing senior internal and external stakeholders in complex, regulated or technical sectors. Strong understanding of supplier capability, industrial readiness, manufacturing processes and risk management. Ability to interpret complex commercial, technical and operational information and drive decisive action. Experience working across organisational boundaries and leading cross‑functional collaboration. Degree (or equivalent experience) in Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Leadership or related discipline. Training or certification in quality, audit, assurance or risk management frameworks (e.g., ISO 9001, audit techniques). Beneficial: Postgraduate qualifications, Lead Auditor, Six Sigma/Lean, APQP/PPAP/FAIR, experience in nuclear/aerospace/defence/energy, international supply chain experience. Location & Ways of Working This role can be based from our Derby, Manchester or Warrington office. We operate a hybrid working model with regular weekly office attendance expected. Occasional travel may be required to suppliers or programme locations. What’s in it for you? Salary: £75,437 – £93,187 depending on experience Bonus: £5,000 up to 17% performance‑related bonus Benefits include: £2,200 flexible benefits allowance 12% employer pension (6% employee) 28 days annual leave public holidays (ability to buy/sell up to 4 days) Private Medical Insurance (BUPA) Life Assurance – 6× pensionable pay £250 home office setup payment You’ll join a forward‑thinking organisation that values transparency, fairness and innovation, offering: A flexible, inclusive and supportive working environment Opportunities for development and career growth in a scaling business A culture built on diversity, collaboration and continuous learning Why Join Us? You’ll be joining a forward-thinking organisation that values transparency, fairness, and innovation. We offer: • 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 Due to the safety regulations within the nuclear industry, applicants will be required to participate in additional screening. These are: • 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 LI-LK1 LI-Hybrid