Senior Category Buyer

Our mission is to provide high-quality, digitally-enabled rolling stock solutions that help deliver a safe, efficient and sustainable railway

Since 1996, our investments have totalled over £3bn, including the commissioning of over 2,500 new passenger and freight vehicles. We plan to invest over £1bn into UK rail in the coming years to deliver high quality new and refurbished vehicles for passengers and freight customers

But financing new trains is not the end-game. Our asset stewardship role includes management of assets to ensure performance, safety and long-term suitability over their full economic life

About the team
Our procurement team consists of specialists based in Derby and Long Marston. The team work closely with all departments in the procurement of goods and services, both engineering and non-engineering, As a Senior Category Buyer, you will work as part of a team who are accountable to deliver guidance, contracts and costs savings to the business for our Long Marston site and wider indirect spend across the whole of the business. In addition, you will be responsible for overseeing any warranty management, Develop and implement the processes required to negotiate supplier contracts for the site at Long Marston, indirect spend and any special projects
Develop relationships with the suppliers across the business from a procurement perspective, and ensure that the service levels are being implemented as per the contractual obligations
Ensure that the suppliers supply and work to agreed KPIs
Implement regular contract reviews with the supply chain where appropriate
Administer the warranty process and resolution, ensuring all warranty claims raised by Porterbrook customers are dealt with in a timely manner. Work with customers and suppliers to resolve disputes and ensure suppliers have float available to support both planned and unplanned requirements
Ensure that all Porterbrook's suppliers are assessed and accredited appropriately
Ensure that all suppliers are set up effectively, including the management of PO's
Responsible for ensuring budgets and spend are kept up to date with any price changes relating to contracts
Responsible for the care, custody and control of Porterbrook's assets
Ensure material or service suppliers are adequately managed and maintained in an effective and efficient manner
Manage all third-party relationships for the control and use of spares
And, any other reasonable requests of the function

Other Duties
Provide support to suppliers and internal functions on any health and safety matters
Support the function and business in the drive for continuous improvement
Operate in line with the organisation's values and behaviors

The ideal candidate will be a self-starter, who can work effectively on their own and as part of a team
Able to take a pragmatic approach to challenges and actively solve problems before they escalate
Experience of taking full accountability for the end to end operational procurement processes, with a track record in quality results
Experience of Oracle systems would also be desirable
This role will require frequent travel between Derby, Long Marston and London sites

Qualifications
CIPS Qualified or working towards
Qualified to degree standard preferably in Business

Knowledge
3 years or above experience in an contractual procurement role
Track record of managing suppliers effectively
Knowledge of commercial and supply contracts
Experience of working in a small team and covering a wide range of responsibilities
Facilities management experience in a rail setting would be a distinct advantage but not essential

Key Skills
Contract drafting and negotiation skills
Excellent commercial acumen
Well organised and able to work to deadlines
Ability to communicate at all levels, internally and externally
Numerate with strong analytical skills
Computer literacy (especially MS Office products)
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Experience of e-procurement systems an advantage, Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a great organisation with excellent people and a road map for the future to grow and develop the business. Some of our benefits are listed below:
Excellent pension scheme
Financial wellbeing support
Flexible working
Enhanced family friendly policies
Adoption & Shared Parental Leave benefits
Enhanced Armed Forces policies
Ongoing support with professional and personal development'
Long service awards
Porterbrook Star awards
Life assurance
Healthcare cash plan
25 days' annual leave + Bank Holidays + option to buy and sell up to 5 days' additional leave
Additional days annual leave for long service
Season ticket loan
Cycle to work scheme
Free parking at our Derby and Long Marston sites
Should you be suitable for the role, the full benefits package will be discussed in more detail during your screening call