Strategic Buyer

Rolls-Royce Corporation; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Annual Leave

Retirement Savings

Group Life Assurance

Income Protection

Job summary

Rolls-Royce in Derby is seeking a Senior Strategic Buyer to lead sourcing activities from proposal to contract, developing category strategies and managing supplier relationships in a complex regulated environment. You will negotiate terms, draft agreements, and drive cost improvement while identifying risks and ensuring continuity across aerospace and aftermarket supply chains.

Hybrid role with three days in the office and a focus on delivering value through strong analytical and stakeholder

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant field or CIPS qualification with senior strategic buyer experience.
• Strong experience in strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management.
• Excellent communication, influencing and analytical skills with risk management ability.

Responsibilities

• Develop sourcing strategies from proposal to contract signature and negotiate terms.
• Lead contract management and drafting to optimise supplier terms.
• Identify and mitigate commercial risks in the supply chain.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Supplier relationship management

Cost analysis

Contract negotiation

Risk management

Communication skills

Digital / analytical capability

Education

Degree in a relevant field

CIPS qualification

Job description

Job Description Strategic Buyer Full Time Derby/Hybrid (3 days a week in the office)

Why join Rolls-Royce?

At Rolls-Royce we are proud to be a business that has truly helped to shape the modern world and are committed to always being a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere. By joining Rolls-Royce, you'll have the opportunity to work on world-class solutions, supported by a culture that believes individuality is our greatest strength, and all perspectives, experiences and backgrounds help us innovate and enable our high-performance culture.

Position Summary

In this dynamic role, you’ll be at the forefront of creating our procurement strategies, selecting top tier suppliers, negotiating optimal deals, finalising contracts, and managing the contracts to ensure a high performing supply chain which is vital to our business performance and overall success. Our Procurement team plays a critical role in the success of our business – sourcing everything from engine components and aftermarket services. We have opportunities across our Aerospace and Aftermarket teams.

What you will be doing

Developing and leading sourcing activities from proposal to contract signature, to include negotiation, performing cost analysis by creating Total Cost or Acquisition/ Product Cost Lifecycle Models, and building business cases to select high performing suppliers that meet the Rolls-Royce cost, quality, delivery, sustainability, management, and technology objectives. Leading contract management, including drafting, negotiating, and finalising agreements with suppliers to ensure compliance and optimise terms. Managing the process of Identifying, assessing, and mitigating commercial risks within the supply chain to ensure continuity and resilience. Working with the relevant functions and stakeholders to lead and contribute to building and maintaining category strategies within the designated category to draw value for Rolls-Royce, whilst keeping up to date with key market trends and technologies. Managing supplier relationships and in contract supplier management, including supplier performance management, leading cost reduction activities, and resolving commercial issues.

Position qualifications

A degree in a relevant field or CIPS qualification- with experience of working as a Senior Strategic Buyer in a regulated or complex industry demonstrating strong experience in strategic sourcing as well as managing supplier relationships and in-contract supplier management. You will need to have an understanding of risk management and building a resilient supply chain. Proven track record of successful negotiations, coupled with strong commercial and financial skills with an understanding of Total Cost of Acquisition/Product Cost Lifecycles and associated levers/analytics. Excellent communication, influencing, relationship management skills with focus on drawing value for the company. Passion to drive change and make a difference combined with ability to solve complex problems, demonstrating digital awareness and analytical capability. Experience of reviewing and drafting contracts.

Regional Benefits

• Generous Annual Leave
• Retirement Savings
• Group Life Assurance provides for a lump sum benefit if you die whilst employed by Rolls-Royce Group
• Income Protection provides an income in the event that you are unable to work due to illness or injury

Your Shares: Matched is a simple way to own Rolls-Royce shares and invest in our future, together. Buy one share, get one free! Our vision is to ensure that the excellence and ingenuity that shaped our history continues into our future. Our multi-year transformation programme aims to turn Rolls-Royce into a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing company. Join us, and it can be your future vision too.

Rolls-Royce are committed to being a respectful, inclusive, and non-discriminatory workplace where individuality is valued, diverse perspectives fuel innovation, and everyone can thrive.

Please be aware that the priority will be given to employees identified as being at high risk.

The professional level and salary of the position will be dependent on the skills and experience of the successful candidate but is anticipated to be grade SNBG 7-10. This job is advertised at the grades shown, and this is the desired operating level for this role. We encourage applications from candidates with relevant experience from any grade. It is advised that you inform your current manager of your application for this role.

Grade: SNBG 7-10

Closing Date: 10th November 2026

People Leader: Ivelina Mancheva/Michael Moreton/Cristina Ferron Hurtado/Suzy Cox/May Burchall

For further information please contact: Batinder Chana

Job Category Procurement

Posting Date 27 Oct 2026; 00:10 Posting End Date 10 Nov 2026

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