Senior Procurement Manager - Indirect Strategy

Location: Hybrid, based from Derby, Manchester or Warrington
Salary: £75,437 - £93,187 dependent on experience + 17% bonus + £5,000 flexible benefits allowance

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 central to establishing the commercial and supply chain frameworks required to deliver our first SMR and future fleet. The Indirect Procurement portfolio spans all the enabling categories that support our fast-growing organisation - including HR & Professional Services, Support Services, Facilities Management, IT & Digital, Corporate Services, Travel, and broader business operations.

To strengthen this vital area, we are recruiting a Senior Procurement Manager - Indirect Strategy to lead category strategy development, deliver high value commercial outcomes, build long term supplier partnerships and develop a high performing team.

Reporting to a Head of Procurement, you will shape multiyear category plans, influence senior stakeholders across the business and ensure Indirect Procurement supports organisational growth, operational efficiency and programme delivery.

Role Purpose

To lead the creation and execution of Indirect Procurement strategies across multiple categories, delivering optimised commercial outcomes, resilient supply solutions and strategic supplier partnerships. You will drive value, develop capability across the team and ensure Indirect Procurement aligns with organisational needs both now and in the future.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead the development of multiyear Indirect Procurement strategies across categories such as HR & Professional Services, Support Services, Facilities, IT & Digital and Corporate Services.

• Build and execute category plans that balance cost, quality, risk, innovation, sustainability and organisational growth needs.

• Design and deliver sourcing strategies, market engagement approaches, tendering, negotiations and commercial modelling for high value, complex services.

• Develop and lead a team of Buyers and Senior Buyers, providing coaching, capability development and clear performance direction.

• Establish strategic supply partnerships and drive long-term value creation through innovation, supplier collaboration and performance improvement.

• Influence senior leaders across Digital, HR, Facilities, Engineering, Programme Delivery, Commercial, Finance and Operations to shape early requirements and strategic decision-making.

• Provide subject matter expertise across the full spectrum of Indirect Procurement, including commercial structures, frameworks, MSAs, SoWs and managed service agreements.

• Ensure robust governance, compliance, documentation and adherence to best practice sourcing methodologies.

• Drive initiatives such as supplier consolidation, standardisation, category transformation, demand management, cost optimisation and sustainability integration.

• Represent Indirect Procurement at senior leadership forums, providing insight, recommendations and strategic challenge where required.

• Champion continuous improvement and support the development of procurement capability across the wider organisation.

What You'll Bring

• Significant experience leading Indirect Procurement across multiple categories such as professional services, support services, IT & Digital, facilities, HR services or corporate services.

• A track record of developing category strategies and delivering complex sourcing activity in dynamic or regulated environments.

• Strong commercial acumen with experience in negotiating high value contracts, frameworks, managed service models and rate based agreements.

• Proven experience leading and developing teams, ideally in a category management or strategic procurement environment.

• The ability to influence and challenge senior stakeholders positively, shaping requirements and driving business alignment.

• Experience operating in complex organisational settings such as engineering, nuclear, energy, aerospace, defence, rail or infrastructure.

• Strong analytical, commercial and project management skills with the ability to translate data into strategic insights.

• Degree (or equivalent experience) essential; MCIPS/MRICS advantageous; APM 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: £75,437 - £93,187
Plus:

• 17% performance related bonus

• £5,000 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'll join a forward thinking, 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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