Job Introduction

This role is in our Procurement Operations team which sits within the Route Services Commercial and Procurement function. As a Purchasing Operations Agent, your role is vital in ensuring requisitions align with procurement policies and offering accurate information to stakeholders and other departments regarding purchasing processes.

To succeed in this role, you will need:

• A strong interest in procurement and commercial processes
• A keen eye for detail and accuracy.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills are crucial.
• Exceptional communication skills to support stakeholders and cross functional working.
• To be proficient in handling multiple tasks simultaneously

Below is a statement from Grace Cope, MCIPS, about the role and how it has benefited her!

“I started Network Rail as a Purchasing Operations Agent back in 2016 not knowing what sort of career path I wanted to take. The role exposed me to a lot of different teams across the organisation which was great for networking and finding out how the company worked. It also gave me a lot of exposure to procurement, which was a career path I hadn’t considered. Working closely with the procurement team to ensure requisitions and purchase orders were compliant with policy gave me an insight into procurement and really appealed to me. My manager at the time was incredibly supportive and sponsored me to undertake a professional qualification in procurement (CIPS), eventually enabling me to take a step into procurement. Since then, I have secured a promotion to Sourcing Manager and am planning to continue on this career path – all thanks to the Purchasing Operations Agent role!”

To help you find out more about the role we have created a candidate pack, linked below, which gives you an insight into what it’s like to work at Network Rail including our purpose, our culture and values, pay and benefits, learning and development and how we create an inclusive environment for all.

And hear what some of our brilliant team members think about Network Rail in this video

For full details of what you’ll be doing and the skills and experience you’ll need, please see the attached job description.

Do you consider yourself to have a protected characteristic? If so and you require any additional support with your application, please do not hesitate to contact the Resourcer who will happily assist

Click ‘apply for this job’ to apply. If you would like to speak the Resourcing Team, please contact Emily.Smith3@networkrail.co.uk

For further information of the role please contact Joanne.Loot@networkrail.co.uk

Main Responsibility

To assist in the implementation and monitoring of agreed category strategies through category gatekeeping and category buying.  Providing a Helpdesk and support function to all internal and external customers through the provision of accurate information on the operation of purchasing processes.  Undertaking assisted buying support to all internal customers for individual low value items.

For more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please find the full job description attached below.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential

• Procurement experience, including deep understanding of procurement processes
• Basic knowledge of pre and post contract management techniques
• An appreciation of compliance and procurement procedures
• Demonstration of skills required to develop and maintain successful relationships with suppliers and customers
• Good communicator with demonstrable excellence is customer service
• Computer literate with competent use of MS office suite

Desirable

• Knowledge of EU Procurement regulations
• Evidence of commercial awareness
• Experience of using electronic sourcing and/or procurement systems
• Membership of Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply at Associate level or above or working towards qualification

Package Description

Vacancy type: Full time 35 hours per week (flexible patterns will be considered)

Duration: Permanent

Location: The Quadrant, MK

Closing date: 9th July 2024

Band & Salary: Band 5 (£24,000 - £26,000)

We have a fantastic entry-level opportunity for someone eager to build a career in Commercial & Procurement processes ensuring efficient and effective policy implementation to maintain compliance.

We want to ensure all applications are reviewed in a fair and diverse manner, therefore all applications against this role are anonymised. Please ensure you fill in the profile builder to ensure you have a good opportunity to be taken forward to interview stage.
 

About the Company

At Network Rail, we own, repair and develop the railway infrastructure in England, Scotland and Wales. We exist to get people and goods where they need to be and to support our country’s economic prosperity. Rail is already the greenest form of public transport and we’re on a journey to a cleaner, greener future.  

We’re an organisation where people matter. We matter to millions. Find out why by watching this video.

We are committed to a diverse workplace enriched with representation from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and skills. We pride ourselves on creating an environment where difference is embraced, and individuals can thrive. We recognise that the success of the team is dependent on a multi-cultural, multi-disciplined group of individuals, aligned to deliver successful solutions.

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 

We offer excellent benefits, including:

• Flexible working patterns such as working from home and working compressed hours
• A range of pension schemes
• Healthcare Benefits
• Rail and underground season ticket subsidies up to 75%
• 28 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and volunteering days (5 days)
• 2 weeks paid reserve leave for our Armed Forces community
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• GymPass – Access to gym’s across the UK
• Access to ‘My Benefits’ portal which include discounts in food, technology and experience days

Please note, 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 the Sentinel database and will incur a five-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.

Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd