Procurement Manager

Who are we?

South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than 5,000 people. We provide easy and convenient mobility, connecting people and communities in South West London, southern counties of England, and the Isle of Wight.

Join our team and help us continue to bring people together to get the most out of life.

About the job

To manage the acquisition, tendering and renewal of contracts in South Western Railway (SWR), supporting the evaluation, selection and contract negotiation process, liaising with other internal functions and external organisations to maximise efficiencies.

To deputise for the Senior Procurement Manager and other Procurement Managers, where required.

To peer review all tenders/works set up by Procurement assistant on their behalf.

Your main responsibilities will be:

• To manage the Procurement and contract negotiation of goods and services within your functional area of the business, liaising with relevant associated Procurement departments to maximise efficiencies.
• Reporting directly to the Senior Procurement Manager, deputising for other Procurement Managers within the function, where required, and line management of the Procurement Assistant within your functional areas of responsibility in the Department.
• Ensuring that the sourcing, contracts and R2P agreed with suppliers are aligned with SWR policies, procedures, governance and values.
• Implementation of appropriate frameworks including National, Divisional and inter-TOC relationships.
• Ensuring that cost, risk and compliance is managed through robust contracts with approved suppliers and that trading terms and conditions are aligned with SWR legal governance, requirements and obligations
• Developing and managing the procurement activity of supplier evaluation, selection, contract negotiation and drafting for SWR agreements, including full execution by SWR and Supplier signatories on completion.
• Support and aid in the development of a preferred supplier list that is refreshed every 6 -12 months based on commodity, category, performance and cost.
• Meeting and reviewing contracts with relevant stakeholders and contract managers around the business to deliver efficiencies and proactive contract and procurement pipeline planning within your functional area of responsibility, recording any savings achieved to contribute towards overall team savings targets.
• Act as a key negotiator in terms of completing new contracts and undertaking renewals and reviews and responsible for producing Procurement Strategy and Tender Support documents.
• Using the e-tendering tools, for procurement projects, ensuring relevant evaluation documentation is accessible within the recognised central repository  and provide feedback on the efficient operation of the e-tendering tools.
• Managing the efficient use of the central contract repository system for storing of all completed contracts, contract approval forms and other formal documentary evidence of approvals according to governance procedures.
• To drive continuous improvement, best value and quality improvements within the team and departments in challenging existing practices and actively seek ways to achieve better outcomes, contributing to ensure key performance and financial targets are met and corrective action taken where necessary.
• To ensure all aspects of regulatory compliance (noting UCR/Procurement Act 2023 procedures) are adhered to in regard to the respective procurement policies and external requirements and implement strategies that safeguard the Company's contractual and commercial risk.
• Responsible for ensuring completion of periodic reporting requirements.
• Promote importance of procurement across the organisation and best practice through continuous improvement.
• Any other reasonable requests or requirements to support the Procurement function as directed by the Senior Procurement Manager or Head of Procurement.

You'll need to be:

• Track record of delivering cost benefits and improvements
• Previous UCR/PCR tendering experience of a medium to large value (£500k+)
• Ability to identify and deliver innovative solutions
• Ability to develop and manage collaborative business relationships both internally and externally
• Commercial awareness
• Advanced IT skills including use of Microsoft suite (Excel, Word & Powerpoint)
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills
• Flexible and adaptive to changing priorities and objectives
• Confidence, poise with ability to relate to and communicate with senior stakeholders
• Highly organised with ability to work autonomously and prioritise own workload to meet pre-defined objectives
• Proven ability to meet deadlines and targets
• Ability to work autonomously within a defined scope

Desirable

• Qualified or working towards membership of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (MCIPS Level 6)
• Working knowledge of the UK transport industry (notably Rail) legislation and Supply Chain
• Procure to pay and Finance systems experience
• E-tendering tools knowledge
• Experience of planning and budgeting including business planning, expenditure mapping and development of strategies to create efficiencies 

About the location

South Western Railways HQ is based on the 4th Floor at South Bank Central, a stone's throw from the River Thames and a 10 minute walk from our busiest station, Waterloo. It is local to many well-known attractions, restaurants and retail facilities and is easily accessible by public transport. 

Working pattern

Working an average of 37 hours per week over 5 days 

Mon to Fri, office hours 9-5

Please note that the role will require travel to both our London and Southampton offices

The Reward

In return we offer a competitive salary and a variety of valuable benefits, including:

• Free duty and leisure travel on SWR services for employees
• Free leisure travel for spouse/partner and dependants (criteria dependent)
• 75% discount on many other train operating companies
• Full training and support with development
• Excellent pension scheme

We all belong at SWR. Our vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all colleagues, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment.

We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain a zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.

We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.

If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below.  We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/

https://www.healthassured.org/blog/neurodiversity/