Procurement Manager - Professional Services

Location: Hybrid, based from Derby, Manchester or Warrington
Salary: £63,750 - £78,750 dependent on experience + bonus + excellent benefits

Rolls-Royce SMR is on a mission to deliver clean, affordable energy for all. As the UK's flagship Small Modular Reactor programme, we are building a British solution to a global energy challenge and shaping one of the country's most significant green export opportunities.

Our Procurement function is vital in establishing the commercial and supply chain foundations needed to deliver our first SMR and future fleet. The Professional Services category plays a critical role in supporting our rapidly growing organisation, covering consultancy, specialist advisory services, engineering partners, programme delivery support, legal and commercial services, organisational capability development and strategic external expertise.

To support this, we're recruiting a Procurement Manager - Professional Services to own category strategy, lead complex commercial delivery and build strong, value driven partnerships with our professional services suppliers. Reporting to a Senior Category Manager, you will shape category direction, influence senior stakeholders and ensure the Professional Services supply chain is aligned to programme needs, organisational growth and long-term value.

Role Purpose

To develop and deliver supply chain solutions, strategic partnerships, and category strategies across the Professional Services category, from early requirements definition through contract award and ongoing supplier management - ensuring procurement excellence, value creation and strong support for programme delivery and organisational capability.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead the development of high value, complex professional services contracts and long-term strategic supplier relationships.

• Manage procurement activity across consultancy, advisory services, engineering services, commercial/legal support, business development, programme delivery services and organisational capability providers.

• Establish and lead cross functional sourcing teams, ensuring early engagement and collaborative decision-making.

• Deliver end-to-end procurement including strategy development, market engagement, sourcing, negotiation, commercial modelling, contract drafting, award and mobilisation.

• Manage supplier performance and relationships, ensuring delivery, quality, risk management and continuous improvement across services contracts.

• Lead complex commercial and contractual negotiations including framework agreements, MSAs, SoWs and rate-based service agreements.

• Influence senior stakeholders across Programme Delivery, Engineering, Programme Controls, Commercial, Finance, Digital, HR and Legal.

• Act as subject matter expert for Professional Services procurement, shaping demand, advising on market trends and providing strategic insight.

• Drive sourcing best practice, governance, documentation and compliance.

• Lead or support initiatives including supplier consolidation, value engineering, contract standardisation, sustainability and risk reduction.

• Coach and develop a team of Buyers and Senior Buyers, building a high-performing, business-focused procurement capability.

What You'll Bring

• Experience leading professional services procurement, ideally in complex, regulated or project driven environments.

• Strong commercial acumen with experience in complex negotiations, strategic sourcing and delivering measurable value.

• Credible background building and managing relationships with advisory, consultancy and engineering partners.

• Experience with frameworks, MSAs, service contracts and commercial model development.

• Strong ability to analyse spend data and interpret commercial, financial and technical information and turn it into clear recommendations.

• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills across senior levels and multiple functions.

• Proven experience leading cross functional teams.

• Degree (or equivalent experience) essential; MCIPS/MRICS advantageous; APM beneficial.

• Experience in regulated sectors (nuclear, energy, rail, aerospace, defence, infrastructure or similar) beneficial.

Location & Ways of Working

This role can be based in Derby, Manchester or Warrington.
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: £63,750 - £78,750
Plus:

• Performance related bonus

• £2,200 annual flexible benefits allowance

• 12% employer pension / 6% employee contributions

• 28 days holiday + public holidays (buy/sell up to 4 days)

• Private Medical Insurance (BUPA)

• Life Assurance - 6× pensionable pay

• £250 home office setup payment

You will be joining a progressive, inclusive, and innovative organisation that values transparency, 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

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