Indirect Global Category Manager
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 25, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 23, 2026. Rolls-Royce scores B on the Alion truth index.
Job Description
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.
Job Purpose:
The Global Category Manager will be responsible for creating and deploying category strategies that deliver measurable business value through cost optimisation, risk mitigation, and supply continuity. The role will also be responsible for managing key supplier relationships to ensure that contractual commitments translate into measurable value and performance.
This role covers the full strategic sourcing lifecycle from developing and implementing category strategies, leading complex RFx execution and negotiation activities to secure competitive outcomes, and developing and managing relationships with key supplier partners.
A key part of your role will be managing specific spend categories to deliver cost and value improvements, leveraging market intelligence, supplier partnerships, and commercial acumen to drive performance.
Leveraging data-driven insights and fostering strong partnerships, you will help optimise supplier performance and deliver cost and operational targets. You will also collaborate closely with offshore teams to ensure seamless execution of SRM activities and consistent delivery standards globally. You will also oversee the execution of supplier segmentation strategies, monitor performance against KPIs and SLAs, and ensure compliance with regulatory, sustainability and legislative standards.
By embedding strong risk management practices and proactive supplier engagement, you will help secure supply resilience and unlock long-term value.
You will ensure robust contractual coverage to minimise commercial risk and liability while maintaining supplier contract continuity, performance governance, and escalation management while embedding robust business continuity planning (BCP) and risk mitigation practices.
This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic thinker who thrives in a global, fast-paced environment and is passionate about shaping category strategies, leading complex sourcing initiatives, strengthening supplier relationships, and delivering sustainable competitive advantage.
Key Accountabilities:
Define and implement global category strategies aligned with business objectives, market trends, and risk management principles in the following categories:
- IT - Manufacturing & Engineering
- IT - Cloud & Infrastructure
- Logistics
- Engineering services
- Engineering Services
- Manage assigned categories to deliver cost savings, value improvements, and innovation opportunities
- Lead complex sourcing initiatives, negotiate high-value contracts, and deliver measurable cost savings and value creation across multiple Procurement priorities (risk, sustainability, innovation etc.)
- Build and maintain strategic partnerships with key suppliers to drive innovation, performance, and long-term collaboration.
- Act as the primary point of contact for supplier issues and escalations, ensuring timely resolution and maintaining trust
- Ensure effective contractual coverage, compliance with policies, and proactive risk mitigation across global supply chains
- Identify and mitigate supplier-related risks, including financial, operational, and reputational risks
- Partner with offshore delivery teams to ensure consistent execution of SRM processes and service standards
- Oversee supplier compliance with regulatory requirements, sustainability requirements, legislative standards, and governance frameworks
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior business leaders, influencing decisions and aligning category strategies with business priorities
- Identify opportunities for innovation, process optimisation, digital enablement, and sustainability within the category.
- Coach and mentor procurement professionals to build strategic sourcing capability and foster a high-performance culture
Key Experiences and Qualifications:
- 10+ years of experience in strategic procurement or category management and supplier relationship management within a global organisation
- Proven track record in developing and executing category strategies and strategic sourcing initiatives for high value categories
- Strong experience in leading complex, high-value RFx processes, and negotiation of high-value contracts
- Experience working in aerospace or defence sector desirable
- Strong background in supplier relationship and performance management
- Understanding of procurement policies, governance frameworks and compliance assessments related to aerospace and defence
- Exposure to risk management, compliance, and sustainability initiatives in procurement
- Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and operate effectively in a matrix organisation
- Proficiency in procurement systems and analytical tools
- Proven track record in delivering business results and achieving objectives
What do we offer:
- Private healthcare and group life insurance
- Annual bonus
- myBenefit platform/subsidy for Multisport cards
- Internet and electricity allowance for remote work
- Increased funding for the Employee Capital Plans (PPK) program; Rolls Royce Sp. z o.o. contributes 3% to this program
- Additional vacation days based on length of service with the employer
- Hybrid work model (2 days in the office / 3 days from home)
- Work in a modern office located in the Krakow centre - the Unity Tower (ul. Lubomirskiego 20)
The Kraków Rolls Royce Global Capability Centre represents an exciting new chapter in the growth of Rolls Royce Group Business Services. Designed to support global operations and employee services, the Centre is a key hub for enabling operational efficiency and strengthening global business processes. It delivers exceptional services across finance, procurement, HR, Data Analytics and Service Management.
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 note that all applicants will be subject to Poland right-to- work check as part of the recruitment process.