Head of Procurement

  • Job Reference: 00005449-1
  • Date Posted: 23 September 2024
  • Recruiter: Porterbrook
  • Location: Derby
  • Remote Working: Some remote working possible
  • Salary: On Application
  • Bonus/Benefits: Competitive Salary and Excellent Benefits
  • Sector: Commercial & Procurement, Senior Executive Positions, Other Rail Jobs
  • Job Type: Permanent

Job Description

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

Key Responsibilities

Role Purpose
This role will provide leadership to the procurement function, to develop and deliver strategies for categories of goods or services

The role has responsibility for the contracting arrangements with supply chain partners, developing supplier relationships and continuous improvement. Collaborating with existing and potential supply chain partners, the role aims to build long-term value by developing the necessary capabilities to ensure the company’s future needs are met in a sustainable way

The procurement function forms an integrated part of the new Operations directorate and supports the commercial team on business development activities 
Responsibilities
Function Development & Direction
  • Development and delivery of contracting strategies for all prime spend categories of direct goods and services
  • Management of market intelligence for the categories through research and maintaining an awareness of the market conditions for each category 
  • Develop and implement supplier strategies for categories, looking forward over appropriate timescale requirements (e.g, Technology acquisition, through-life management, through-life costs) concerning current supply-base and potential entrants, single/dual/multiple sourcing, new/alternative technologies. in conjunction with the engineering function
  • Responsible for safeguarding the company’s interests by ensuring all Invitation to Tender (ITT and similar type of documents) and supplier contracts are robust in terms of their technical, quality and commercial requirements
  • Develop, manage and maintain procurement category strategies for the Long Marston site
Contract, Collaboration, Supplier Relationships and Planning
  • Accountable for supplier relationships, ensuring regular senior level reviews occur covering performance, collaboration and innovation
  • Responsible for the effectiveness of supply contracts and their administration, ensuring compliance with statutory legislation
  • Responsible for driving value improvement initiatives
  • Responsible for the management of the ISO 44001 Collaboration system and all its requirements in terms of processes and procedures
  • Ensure maintenance events are well-planed and delivered to meet fleet asset plans
  • Manage negotiation of all supply/disposal contracts
Supplier Management and Development
  • Ensure that all Porterbrook’s suppliers are assessed and accredited for safely effecting designated supply, identifying key risks to be managed
  • Manage supplier reviews – specifically financial stability, technological developments, pending mergers and acquisitions, through regular reviews
  • Work with suppliers to develop strategies for product enhancement and improvement, coordinating with the Product Development team and operators as appropriate
  • Work with the Product Development team to create a modifications library to support the pricing of fleet enhancements and maintain product knowledge
  • Inform fleet, commercial and finance departments of pricing trends and implications
Other Duties
  • Overall responsibility for procurement budget and risk
  • Represent Porterbrook Leasing within rail working groups and bodies as required
  • Manage and co-ordination with key internal stakeholders
  • Embed a culture that supports collaboration and continuous improvement within the team
  • Provide general advice and procurement services as and when required
  • Develop and implement sustainable procurement policies

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

General Requirements
General requirements are for a business professional, who is formally educated to a high standard. The individual should have proven negotiating skills, and there is a need for a sound understanding of the post-privatisation Railway Industry

Qualifications
  • Degree, HND or equivalent in relevant discipline 
  • Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply is preferable but not essential
Knowledge
  • Have demonstrable strategic supplier management experience including knowledge of the strategic influences on supply marketplaces and the mechanisms by which procurement activities can be used for competitive advantage by Porterbrook
  • Engineering knowledge of railway industry rolling stock and components, organisation and stakeholders preferable
  • Experience of a range of contracting approaches
  • General knowledge of current legislation and law
  • Economic and commercial knowledge, including finance, funding and currency
Key Skills
  • An excellent communicator, with interpersonal skills applicable to senior engagements with both internal and external stakeholders
  • Self-starter, problem-solver who is capable of developing long term strategies to improve performance 
  • Contract drafting skills
  • Report writing and presentation skills
  • Financial awareness
  • Sound commercial acumen
  • Staff management and development
  • Negotiation skills
  • Time management ability
  • Computer literacy (especially Microsoft Office and database knowledge) 

A great place to work

We are seeking the very best talent to join the team, and offer an excellent salary, along with bonus and benefits. 
 
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.

To apply

Please follow the link at the top of this page to send your CV and a covering email with full details of why you would be a great addition to the Porterbrook team, along with details of your current salary and notice period.
If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please let us know. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone can develop to their full potential.
This vacancy may close at any time once sufficient applications have been received. Early submission of your application is therefore encouraged

Please note we are not accepting approaches from recruitment agencies for this role.