Head of Category

Rolls-Royce SMR; England; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy company is seeking a Head of Category to oversee procurement for powerplant build. This includes managing a large team and fostering supplier relationships, achieving cost savings while meeting ethical standards. The ideal candidate will have extensive category management experience, strong negotiation skills, and a background in construction or manufacturing. A competitive salary and benefits package is offered for this pivotal role.

Benefits

Short-term performance-based bonus

Benefits allowance of £8,500

12% employer pension contributions

28 days holiday plus public holidays

Private medical insurance

Life assurance of 6x pensionable pay

Qualifications

• Experience in managing complex supply arrangements and contract management.
• Strong leadership and negotiation skills with a proven track record.
• Experience within the construction or manufacturing supply chain.

Responsibilities

• Lead a category team for the procurement of materials and services.
• Drive cost reduction initiatives and negotiate contracts globally.
• Ensure compliance with legal, ethical, and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Complex category management

Supplier relationship management

Negotiation skills

Strategic thinking

Data led decision making

Ethical standards

Job description

Overview

Department: Supply Chain

Location: Derby, Manchester, Warrington

Employment type: Full-time

Salary: £80,000 - £100,000

Closing date: 29/09/2025

Role: Head of Category

We are Rolls-Royce SMR and we're doing something that's never been done before. We're revolutionising an industry. This is a once-in-a-career opportunity for those excited by such a challenge. This is more than just a job; this is a legacy.

Reporting to the Head of Procurement - Enterprise, we are recruiting for 3 Head of Category (in Site Works & Operations, Mechanical and Performance & Reporting). This role is responsible for leading a team to deliver the procurement of specialised materials and services required in the build of a RR SMR powerplant using the principles of Category Management to source, manage, monitor and control a specific group of categories for the supply of direct materials and services for the RR SMR powerplant. It is responsible for leading a large team to deliver across the core procurement process.

In enacting this role the individual will build strong supplier relationships, demonstrate and acquire market knowledge, leverage data and analytics to drive innovation and risk mitigation in their categories and negotiate deals for the business globally. They will lead a category team in sourcing, negotiating, and managing contracts for the goods and services that support power plant build.

They must foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within their remit across functions and develop a high performing team that is integrated with the business. They will monitor and assess supplier performance and adherence to business cost, schedule and quality objectives in support of customer requirements. They will drive cost reduction initiatives and negotiate favourable terms to achieve significant cost savings while maintaining quality and service. They will ensure all procurement practices comply with legal, ethical, and regulatory requirements and are sustainable across the product lifecycle.

Key Results & Achievements

• Delivery on time and to cost of direct goods and services within their category for RR SMR fleet
• Demonstrate value for money and cost saving across the product lifecycle and fleet deployment
• A robust, collaborative and capable supply base that supports business objectives such as localisation
• Demonstrate compliance with legal, regulatory, ethical and sustainable requirements
• Implementation of all of the above

Key Selection Criteria

• Knowledge of complex category management and procurement and able to demonstrate how they have used these skills to drive good supply outcomes, value for money and support business outcomes.
• Proven track record in managing complex supply arrangements, contract management, and supplier relationship management. Able to demonstrate maintaining strong supplier relationships while ensuring compliance with organisational goals and budgets.
• A leader with strong negotiation skills, strategic thinking, and data led decision making.
• Construction or Manufacturing supply chain experience.
• Strategic impact and influence at senior levels inside and external to the organisation. High ethical standards and integrity in all procurement practices.

Regulatory & Security Requirements

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

Pay And Benefits

We anticipate paying a salary between £80,000 - £100,000 Dependant on Experience

• Bonus - Short Term Incentive - Performance Based- target opportunity 20%
• Benefits Allowance - £8,500, enabling you to create a bespoke package
• Pension - 12% employer and 6% employee contributions.
• Holidays - 28 days holiday (+ public holidays) and the ability to buy or sell up to 4 days
• Private Medical Insurance - BUPA single cover health care
• Life Assurance - 6x pensionable pay
• £250 - One-off payment for new starters for home office purchases

Company Related

Rolls-Royce SMR is a rare employer because it blends the world-class brand of Rolls Royce with an exciting start-up that has a hugely challenging mission. We’re doing work that contributes to the survival of the planet. Because of our mission, there’s a pace and energy that is palpable, and our leaders draw you in with their passion, energy, and determination. We’re one of a handful of employers who can genuinely say we’re a strengths-based organisation – our people are here because of what makes them great, and our job is to help them make the best contribution of their careers doing work they love. The start-up mentality coupled with our strengths-approach to people means there are opportunities to grow in ways and jobs you probably would be barred from doing in more traditional companies. Each Rolls-Royce SMR power station will have the capacity to generate 470MW of low carbon energy, equivalent to more than 150 onshore wind turbines and enough to power a million homes. It will provide consistent baseload generation for at least 60 years, helping to support the roll out of renewable generation and overcome intermittency issues.