Job Description: VP Digital and IT – Manufacturing Operations
Full Time – Derby / Hybrid (3 days per week on site)
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Vice President – Digital & IT to lead the digital and technology agenda for Manufacturing Operations within Civil Aerospace, bringing strong leadership and manufacturing knowledge to deliver business improvement. The Vice President – Digital & IT role will be a member of the Civil ITLT and Operations Leadership Team (OLT), contributing to manufacturing strategy, performance and transformation while providing clear leadership of the Digital & IT agenda. As Vice President – Digital & IT, Manufacturing Operations, you will be the accountable Digital & IT partner for the manufacturing function. You will work with operational leaders to understand factory needs, set priorities and translate business strategy into a practical digital and technology roadmap that improves safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity and resilience.
Success requires strong leadership, manufacturing knowledge and the ability to lead change and mobilise specialist teams, rather than deep technical expertise or an extensive Digital & IT career. You will own prioritised demand into shared service and product organisations, oversee delivery, adoption and business benefits, and remain the senior escalation point for manufacturing Digital & IT services and risk. Technical specialists will provide the expertise to assure solutions across enterprise IT, operational technology, data and automation.
What you will be doing
- Manufacturing Strategy Alignment: Contribute to Manufacturing Operations strategy and partner with operational leaders to identify business priorities, translating them into an integrated Digital & IT roadmap aligned to Civil Aerospace and Group strategy.
- Digital Manufacturing Transformation: Lead technology-enabled manufacturing improvement across the factory network, bringing together process change, people and digital capabilities. Set clear business outcomes and work with operational and technical teams to deploy and embed solutions such as manufacturing execution, automation, data and AI, planning and quality technologies.
- Portfolio and Demand Management: Create and own a prioritised manufacturing Digital & IT portfolio, balancing operational need, strategic value, risk, affordability and capacity across sites and value streams.
- Delivery and Value Realisation: Provide governance, control and visibility of portfolio delivery, ensuring capabilities are adopted into operations and deliver measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, inventory and asset utilisation.
- Operational Technology and Enterprise Integration: Set business priorities for connected manufacturing processes and information flow across factory systems, engineering, supply chain and enterprise platforms. Hold specialist teams accountable for secure, resilient and scalable integration, clear lifecycle ownership and technical standards.
- Service, Cyber and Operational Risk: Own the performance and risk profile of Digital & IT services supporting manufacturing, driving service continuity, cyber resilience, regulatory compliance, obsolescence management and effective recovery arrangements.
- Stakeholder Management and Business Partnership: Build trusted relationships with manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, quality and finance leaders. Act as the voice of Manufacturing Operations into Digital & IT and as a strategic adviser on technology-enabled performance improvement.
- Financial Accountability: Maintain oversight of Digital & IT investment and run costs for the manufacturing portfolio, ensuring strong cost control, transparent investment choices and demonstrable value for money.
- Talent, Capability and Change Leadership: Lead and develop a high‑performing team, bringing together manufacturing knowledge and specialist Digital & IT expertise. Build commitment across sites and functions, strengthen digital and data capability, and lead the changes in processes, behaviours and ways of working needed to sustain business improvements.
Preferred requirements
- Strong senior leadership experience in a large, complex, multi‑site manufacturing or engineering organisation, with a track record of setting direction, developing teams and delivering results. Relevant backgrounds include manufacturing operations, business transformation or Digital & IT; extensive prior Digital & IT experience is not required.
- Proven track record of leading manufacturing improvement or business transformation, delivering measurable operational outcomes and embedding new ways of working. Experience using digital, data or technology to support these outcomes is valuable.
- Strong manufacturing knowledge and practical understanding of factory operations, lean principles, production systems, quality, supply chain and industrial performance management, with the credibility to understand operational challenges and challenge priorities.
- Ability to understand how Digital & IT enables manufacturing performance, ask informed questions and make sound decisions on investment, delivery and risk. Deep technical knowledge is not required; the ability to lead, challenge and draw on technical specialists is important.
- Experience prioritising complex business change and investment portfolios, making clear trade‑offs and holding delivery teams to account. Able to apply this discipline to Digital & IT delivery through product, programme and shared service models.
- Demonstrable success in stakeholder leadership and organisational change across manufacturing sites, functions and senior leadership teams.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, with experience managing significant budgets, investment cases, suppliers and benefits realisation.
- Exceptional communication, influencing and presentation skills, with the ability to connect technology choices to manufacturing and business outcomes.
- Degree in a relevant discipline such as engineering, manufacturing, computer science, information technology or business administration, or equivalent experience.
- Experience in aerospace, defence or another highly regulated advanced manufacturing sector is highly desirable.
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.
Regional benefits
- Generous Annual Leave
- Retirement Savings through the Rolls‑Royce Retirement Savings Trust
- 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!
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
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.
Job Details
Professional level and salary of the position will be dependent on the skills and experience of the successful candidate but is anticipated to be Level B. 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. Closing date: Midnight 3rd November 2026
Job Category: Information Technology
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VP Digital and IT- Manufacturing Operations employer: Rolls-Royce Corporation
Rolls-Royce is an exceptional employer, offering Mechanical Design & Product Definition Engineers the chance to work on cutting-edge aerospace and defence projects in a dynamic environment. With a strong commitment to employee growth through continuous learning and tailored career pathways, alongside a culture that values diversity and innovation, Rolls-Royce fosters a workplace where individuality is celebrated and every team member can thrive. Located in Bristol, Derby, or Solihull, employees benefit from a flexible reward package and extraordinary leadership, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land VP Digital and IT- Manufacturing Operations
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Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
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✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
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Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Rolls-Royce Corporation specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rolls-Royce Corporation
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Rolls-Royce Corporation, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Rolls-Royce Corporation value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
