Procurement Category Manager - Submarines

Rolls-Royce plc; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Rolls‑Royce plc in Derby seeks a Procurement Category Manager – Submarines to lead a team of buyers, create and deploy integrated category strategies and drive strategic sourcing across major commodities. You will optimise commercial advantage, ensure supply security and coach talent to grow sourcing capability.

The role focuses on supplier relationship management, in‑contract performance, cost improvement and governance across the supply chain, with opportunities to engage senior stakeholders

Qualifications

• Leads a team of buyers and develops category strategies.
• Manages supplier relationships and reports on KPIs.
• Plans and leads sourcing and commercial activities including complex negotiations.
• Ensures compliance with policies and mitigates commercial risks.

Responsibilities

• Effective management of supplier relationships and strategic direction of partners and suppliers.
• Lead long term cost improvement in category spend with business plans.
• Develop and deploy integrated commodity/category/supplier strategies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet manufacturing programmes.
• Mentor and develop strategic sourcing team members.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and proper purchasing documentation.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Contract negotiations

Job description

Job Title

Procurement Category Manager – Submarines

Working Pattern

Full-time / Permanent

Location

Derby

Position Summary

An exciting opportunity for a Procurement Category Manager – Submarines to join the team in Derby. This Strategy and Commercial role will lead a team of buyers and will create and deploy the integrated commodity / category strategies and the associated strategic sourcing and commercial activities. This includes, ensuring adequate levels of contractual coverage with the aim of mitigating commercial risk, optimising commercial advantage, and providing security of supply and acceptable levels of liability. Where designated, you will lead the strategic relationship(s) at a senior level creating value and competitive advantage. You will coach and mentor talent in your area to further develop strategic sourcing capability.

What you will be doing

Effective management of supplier relationships and strategic direction of partners and suppliers, which includes being accountable for managing issues that require escalation, conflict resolution, driving and improving in-contract supplier performance, and reporting out on KPIs to procurement. Lead long term cost improvement in all relevant activities in line with business plans, including leveraging cost reductions across category group strategic spend commodities / categories Where designated, responsible for planning and leading sourcing and commercial activities such as complex negotiations to maximise the value proposition across all major commodities / categories. Will remain current with market trends through relationships with suppliers and market experts and ensure preferred suppliers have plans to gain access to emerging and developed markets. Develop, deploy and communicate relevant integrated commodity /category / supplier strategies, providing a clear vision and strategic framework for the designated supply chain(s). Work collaboratively, as part of highly skilled cross functional teams to ensure that strategies meet the needs of current and future manufacturing programmes. Where designated, select a supply chain capable of meeting quality and delivery requirements and ensuring the management and rectification of quality. Lead the team's compliance to company policies, processes and procedures, ensuring all purchasing records and documentations are correct and maintained in line with regulatory requirements. Where designated, will lead or support the recruitment, line management and capability and skills development of strategic sourcing team members. Nurture effective relationships with multiple stakeholders, both internal and external to the function in order to integrate functional priorities. Responsible for understanding supplier obligations contained in the Global Supplier Code of Conduct and addressing any supplier compliance concerns through direct action or escalation. Manage the identification, assessment, and mitigation of commercial risks within the supply chain to ensure continuity and resilience, including supplier screening for business continuity & risk management. Please be aware that the priority will be given to employees identified as being at high risk. The professional level and the salary of the position will be dependent on the skills and experience of the successful candidate. It is advised that you inform your current manager of your application for this role.

Equal Opportunities and Diversity

We are an equal opportunities employer. We’re committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive working environment. We believe that people from different backgrounds and cultures give us different perspectives. And the more perspectives we have, the more successful we’ll be. By building a culture of respect and appreciation, we give everyone who works here the opportunity to realise their full potential.

Security Clearance and Nationality Requirements

To work for the Rolls‑Royce Submarines Business an individual has to hold a minimum of an Security Check (SC) clearance without any caveats to that clearance. Rolls‑Royce will support the application for Security Clearance if the individual does not currently already have this in place. Due to the nature of work the Business conducts and the protection of certain assets a person has to be a UK national or in MoD approved cases a Dual National from a non ITAR country.

Closing Date

12th October 2026

People Leader

Benjamin Jennings, Grade: Level C

Job Category

Procurement

Company Statement

Rolls‑Royce pioneers cutting-edge technologies that deliver the cleanest, safest and most competitive solutions to our planet’s vital power needs.