Job Introduction

We partner with our Network Rail routes and regions, delivering critical services and essential equipment to help get passengers and good to where they need to be. To find out more watch our video.

This opportunity sits in Supply Chain Operations (SCO), a division of Route Services that procures safe, sustainable, products and services that are in turn used to improve and enhance the rail infrastructure across Britain. SCO aims to deliver excellent value and service to our customers, helping the rail industry to work together to deliver a more cost-effective railway.

Our extensive supply chain network plays a crucial role in helping to run a safe and efficient railway.

Every year we:

•           Buy and deliver 2,000km of rail and 2.5 million tonnes of ballast.

•           Operate 1,200 rail vehicles.

Behind the scenes we:

•           Process £7,000,000,000 of payments.

•           Handle over 23,000 IT helpdesk calls.

Every year:

•           Mechanical and electrical locking fitters maintain 468 signal boxes and 387 ground frames.

•           Operational property helpdesk process over 200,000 calls

Main Responsibility

In this role you will be accountable for commercial, contract and delivery activities to meet business requirements.

You will work collaboratively with stakeholders and manage key customer relationships. 

In addition, you will drive value through the development and delivery of supplier strategies, and through the relationship management of key suppliers to Network Rail.

The role will manage the Seasonal Treatment service which has a strong operational focus, particularly during autumn. This will include leading tactical responses to real-time issues.

1. Lead the management of commercial and delivery activity within a given category, product and/or service.
2. Lead and inspire a team to drive the development, efficiency and effectiveness of individuals and the team as a whole.
3. Lead the development of any customer relationships for which the team is responsible.  Work collaboratively to develop and implement innovative strategies which meet business requirements, maximising benefits and efficiency opportunities and minimising risk.
4. Lead the development of robust business-wide demand and prioritised opportunity forecasts for category spend. Maximise commercial advantage for the company by promoting cross-functional decision making and total cost of ownership principles, and monitor compliance to category objectives.
5. Lead the communication of scope and benefits of strategies to senior, cross functional customers and stakeholders to gain their endorsement. Own demand data and regularly communicate requirements to the supply market
6. Sponsor the delivery of all sourcing and post contract management activities to meet the needs of the category strategy, customers and stakeholders, integrating safety and sustainability throughout the process. Maintain ownership of required outputs and benefits.  
7. Lead the management of physical supply chain and logistics activities required to meet the needs of the customer.
8. Monitor and manage performance against defined measures in order to continuously improve and develop the relevant category strategy, products and services
9. Lead the development of a range of complex strategic suppliers and manage relationships to deliver business benefit and performance optimisation from both supplier and Network Rail perspectives.
10. Manage and comply with company procedures to provide appropriate resources, communication strategies, training and competencies, and evaluate fitness of staff to safely deliver their accountabilities.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following:

Essential

•            Strategic outlook, including the ability to drive delivery of strategic objectives.

•            Understanding and application of best practice supply chain management within     
             relevant market.

•            Proven track record of benefits delivery (financial and non-financial).

•            Highly skilled senior relationship manager experienced in managing end-to-end client, customer and supplier relationships.

•            Proven ability to lead and manage teams.

•            Advanced influencing and negotiation skills to develop mutually beneficial
             relationships.

•            Executive level stakeholder relationship management capability.

•            Educated to degree level or equivalent professional education, or experience.

•            Experienced in managing cross functional teams.

Desirable

•            To be an acknowledged market, technology and category subject matter expert.

•            Proven commercial track record in capital intensive, asset rich industries.

•            Actively participation in relevant industry bodies.

•            Subject matter expertise for the given supply market.

Package Description

Vacancy Ref:  IRC2288102

Location: Nationwide.

Hours: up to 35 hours per week with hybrid working and travel as required  Flexible working and job shares can be considered.

Salary range: £71,163  to £80,060 per annum, depending on skills and experience.

Closing date: 6 August 2024. Late applicants will not be accepted.

At Network Rail you will have a clear development path, access to training and enjoy a range of employee benefits, such as; up to 28 days annual leave, rail subsidies, a range of pension options, flexible and agile working arrangements, discounts on shopping, gym memberships and much more.

This role is being advertised internally and externally.

Click ‘apply for this job’ to apply. If you would like to speak the Resourcing Team, please contact RSResourcing@networkrail.co.uk. 

If you would like to know more about the role please contact Mark Dickinson at mark.dickinson@networkrail.co.uk or Adam Southern at adam.southern@networkrail.co.uk

You will need to complete a supporting statement addressing how you meet the essential criteria, please complete this as part of the application process and also add this to your CV in one document.  Applicants who do not complete this statement will not be shortlisted.

If you would like some reasonable adjustments support during your application or the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact the Resourcing Team who will happily assist.  For further information https://www.networkrail.co.uk/careers/how-we-recruit/

The recruitment process will consist of shortlisted candidates being invited to take part in the following.

• Competency Based Interview
• Presentation 

Drugs and Alcohol Standard:

All prospective external candidates offered a conditional role will be required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Your application will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on Sentinel database and a 5 year suspension from applying for a safety critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced.

About the Company

We’re an organisation where people matter. We matter to millions.

Our role is to run a safe, reliable and efficient railway, serving customers and communities. We exist to get people and goods where they need to be and to support our country’s economic prosperity. Safety is our number one priority. 

We're undertaking an ambitious change. Our vision is Putting Passengers First - becoming a company that is on the side of passengers and freight users.

As one of the UK’s leading equal opportunities employers, our values and the way we behave is important to us and we have created an environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution. We have seven employee networks that provide fantastic support, opportunities and development for applicants from all backgrounds. Click here for more information

Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd