A Rail Operator is looking to recruit a Procurement Manager to join their Milton Keynes office on a contract basis.

Your role as Procurement Manager will include be to manage/Lead concurrent procurement projects through the full life cycle from direct award through to full OJEU / complex framework mini competitions; Work directly with Commercial and Procurement (C & P) Senior Procurement Manager and the operators Project Sponsors to undertake, manage and support the procurement process, resolve day to day issues, develop and manage relationships with key stakeholders;

Assist C & P in providing transparent, robust and accurate contract management and reporting information; Foster relationships internally and externally to ensure general procurement processes and strategy are ‘fit for purpose’ and world class

Your responsibilities as Procurement Manager will include:

• Overall project management of delegated procurement projects across multi stakeholder groups up to the value of approx. £50m;
• Develop and implement procurement strategies for projects and services required by the company, helping to devise effective commercial/legal contract specifications and to develop a full procurement life-cycle;
• Maybe required to directly line manage / mentor junior Procurement team members, including work placement staff as required;
• Be proactive in building and developing relationships with key internal and external stakeholders
• Assist in identifying areas where savings can be made, being proactive in providing advice on how cost reductions can be achieved
• Implement and maintain systems and procedures to support the companies procurement process;
• Liaise and work closely with the wider commercial team, communicating closely with respect to all contract management issues and findings.

The successful candidate will have the following skills and experience:

experience of success in comparable procurement function(s);

Good experience and understanding of Public Sector/EU procurement and supply chain management processes; knowledge of OJEU rules and regulations, evaluation panel structures, criteria and contract award procedures;

A general appreciation of the workings of Government and an understanding of the environment in which an organisation such as the company needs to work with its customers and interested parties; Ability to operate in an evolving organisation;

Good influencing and listening skills; an ability to be heard through personal credibility and exercise sound judgement;

Experience of designing and implementing effective procurement strategy for an organisation of similar scale and scope;