Senior Buyer

You will be part of the North West & Central Region (NW&C) which consist of three routes – North West, Central and West Coast South – and a regional team supporting Regional Major Programmes & Professional services.Brief Description To implement and monitor agreed strategies for commodity area including development of individual contracts and undertaking procurement, negotiation and contracting. The role supports a small team of procurement professionals in the Railway Signalling and Telecoms area and will involve services and works contracts. The portfolio will involve call off from existing frameworks and open tenders to the wider market, all within an established governance and assurance structure. This role can be based from Birmingham, Manchester or Milton Keynes.About the role (External) 1. Develop and implement individual project and steady state contracting strategy proposals including preparation and evaluation of tender documents and negotiation of contracts. 2. Provide post contract commercial management support for a range of contracts. 3. Provide dedicated support to senior staff in respect of individual projects and/or contract/commercial issues, including ‘rapid response’ to potential contract disputes. 4. Target specific goods, services and/or suppliers to identify how tangible improvements may be made in the procurement of these goods and services. 5. Undertake regular contract management meetings with key stakeholders and suppliers to monitor whether maximum value was delivered via contract. 6. Manage responsibilities for endorsements and approval of contract variations. 7. Provide all services to programme/project teams in a timely and cost effective manner and contribute positively towards the achievement of programme/project objectives.

· Recognised skills in contractual and commercial matters, with credibility and experience to act as advisor to other staff. · Successful procurement background with practical intermediate level experience. · Contributed towards maintaining successful relationships with suppliers. · Knowledge of relevant contract terms, preferably NEC4 · Strong negotiation skills. We would also like but it isn’t crucial to have/to be: · Membership of appropriate professional institution: CIPS preferred · Educated to degree level preferred. · Effective teamworking skills and · Excellent IT skills including Oracle and Tender Management software.

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• Access to a range of contributory pension schemes, and the potential to top up your competitive salary with a bonus
• A subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train
• Privileged staff travel – Leisure travel discount of 75%
• We can offer you a season ticket loan, annual season tickets are discounted.
• A 35-hour-per-week contract with flexible working options available to help support your work-life balance
• Hybrid working (2/3 days a week in the office/on site) and enhanced family-friendly support
• Take advantage of healthcare offers (including discounted healthcare club membership), discounted cycle hire, and online shopping sites
• 5 days of paid volunteering leave
• 2 weeks paid reserve leave for the Armed Forces community