Strategic Procurement Manager in Derby

As the Strategic Procurement Manager for Complex Projects, you will play a key role in developing and implementing sourcing strategies that create sustainable value, enhance supplier performance, and build a resilient and effective supply chain. This role partners closely with internal stakeholders to understand business requirements, analyse spend, identify sourcing opportunities, and foster strong supplier relationships that support business objectives and long-term growth. This strategic role ensures alignment with our business growth ambitions while supporting operational excellence and continuous improvement.

You will guide the assessment of make-versus-buy decisions and develop procurement strategies that optimise cost, quality, service, and risk. You will work collaboratively with the Procurement and Commercial Teams to bring these strategies to life through strategic sourcing initiatives, supplier relationship management, and close partnership with procurement, operations, finance, and other key functions to maintain supply continuity and improve efficiency. Identifying and delivering continuous improvement opportunities, including savings, remains central to this role.

This position sits within the Complex Projects Business Unit, the primary user of this spend category, ensuring strong alignment with operational needs. You will also work closely with the UK&I Project Procurement Team, which provides functional oversight, governance, and support.

As part of this role, you will be responsible for coaching, developing, and supporting a team of Procurement Officers delivering a portfolio of projects. You will provide leadership, mentoring, and performance development to strengthen team capability while providing clear strategic direction to ensure procurement objectives, project outcomes, and wider business goals are achieved successfully.

You will contribute to Business Unit priorities and support the UK&I procurement transformation agenda, as well as collaborate with the regional procurement team around work-winning activities where appropriate, reporting to the Supply Chain Director for Complex Projects.

Your role:

• Develop and implement a subcontracting strategy for supply chain services aligned with business objectives that optimises cost, quality, service, and risk.
• Build trusted partnerships with senior stakeholders to understand requirements and ensure category solutions meet business needs.
• Conduct market and process analysis to identify opportunities for continuous improvement, innovation, and best practice.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing activities, creating value through cost optimisation, contract enhancement, and supplier performance improvement.
• Champion corporate priorities such as social value, SME engagement, supplier diversity, and sustainability.
• Implement Supplier Relationship Management plans that strengthen collaboration and build long-term resilience.
• Facilitate and lead contract negotiations while working closely with commercial, supply chain, and legal teams to establish robust contractual frameworks.
• Ensure supplier due diligence is completed and maintained.
• Promote compliance with quality, safety, delivery, security, and other relevant standards.
• Deploy appropriate tools and systems to support category strategies and broader UK&I procurement priorities.
• Analyse spends and work-winning pipeline data to identify trends, efficiencies, savings opportunities, and forecasting insights.
• Role-model AtkinsRéalis values through collaborative leadership and positive internal and external relationships.

About you:

• You are motivated by improving procurement practices and contributing to a growing and successful organisation.
• You build strong, trusted relationships with senior leaders, positively influence decision-making, and champion continuous improvement.
• You thrive in a collaborative and evolving environment, are comfortable navigating ambiguity, and demonstrate adaptability, resilience, and a solutions-focused approach.
• Significant experience in procurement and supply chain with a strategic and forward-thinking mindset.
• Expertise in category management and optimising complex, multi-site supply chain services and engineering parts spend.
• Experience working in regulated or controlled environments.
• Proven success in strategic sourcing and collaborative supplier relationship management.
• Strong knowledge of procurement principles, controls, governance requirements, and best practice.
• Commercially aware and strategically minded, with excellent negotiation and contract management skills.
• Ability to build trusted stakeholder relationships and communicate with confidence, empathy, and credibility.
• Experience supporting change management and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Data-driven approach with strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Strong IT skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Professional Procurement qualification (e.g., CIPS).
• Right to work in the UK without restriction.
• Ability to travel to locations across the UK when required.

Rewards & benefits:

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Security clearance:

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria.