Senior Category Buyer

  • Job Reference: 01804169-1
  • Date Posted: 22 April 2024
  • Employer: Porterbrook
  • Website: https://www.porterbrook.co.uk/
  • Location: Derby
  • Remote Working: Some remote working possible
  • Salary: On Application
  • Bonus/Benefits: Competitive Salary and Excellent Benefits
  • Sector: Transport & Logistics
  • Job Type: Full Time
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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
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

Responsibilities
  • 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

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

General Requirements
  • 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

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