Head of New Part Introduction

About the role

Rolls‑Royce SMR is seeking a senior leader to head New Part Introduction (NPI) across its global supply chain. The role will drive industrialisation, ensure regulatory and quality readiness, and act as the primary integrator for delivering first‑of‑fleet and ongoing NPI demand.

Key responsibilities

• Define and deliver an end‑to‑end NPI strategy, translating it into actionable supply‑chain capability and industrialisation plans.
• Develop and govern NPI activity using standardised frameworks such as APQP and PPAP, integrated with risk management, reporting and schedule control.
• Provide portfolio‑level oversight, prioritisation and resourcing of NPI across multiple sites and customer programmes, aligning with SIOP and broader business planning.
• Ensure the supply chain meets all technical, regulatory, operational and rate requirements to support NPI demand.
• Act as senior ambassador for RR SMR product development with customers, external bodies, the board and executives.
• Lead a team of up to nine direct reports, fostering a best‑in‑class NPI capability.

Required profile

• Extensive NPI/NPD experience in a complex, highly regulated international environment.
• Proven large‑scale project and programme management leadership with successful on‑time, on‑plan supply‑chain delivery.
• Strong management and influencing skills across multidisciplinary teams, senior executives, suppliers and customers.

Required skills

• APQP
• PPAP
• Risk management
• Project management
• Programme management

What we offer

• Hybrid working arrangement with offices in Derby, Manchester or Warrington.
• Opportunity to shape a first‑of‑its‑kind function in the nuclear sector.