Assistant Category Manager

East Midlands Railway; Derby; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits in the Procurement Department of a forward-thinking railway company. As a Category Assistant, you will play a vital role in managing tender activities, supporting Category Managers, and ensuring compliance with procurement policies. This position offers a chance to work closely with diverse stakeholders, enhancing your skills in a dynamic environment. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, the company values your authentic self and encourages applicants from all backgrounds. Enjoy competitive benefits, including free travel on the EMR network and a hybrid working policy that supports work-life balance.

Benefits

Free First Class Duty Travel

Free Standard Class Leisure Travel

Friends and Family Discounted Tickets

75% Discount on National Leisure Travel

32 Days Holiday Per Year

Qualifications

• A Level qualified or equivalent experience in procurement.
• Studying or willing to study towards CIPS Professional Diploma.

Responsibilities

• Manage low risk tender activities for goods and services.
• Support Category Managers in tendering and contract activities.

Skills

Procurement Experience

Communication Skills

Time Management

Team Collaboration

ICT Systems Knowledge

Customer Service

Adaptability

Governance Framework Knowledge

Education

A Level or Equivalent

Professional Diploma in CIPS (Studying or Willing)

Tools

e-Procurement Systems

Microsoft Suite

Job description

We are proud to be One Team at East Midlands Railway (EMR). We are passionate about keeping people safe, delighting our customers, doing the right thing and putting customers at the heart of our sustainable railway for the East Midlands. With over 2,600 employees, our people are the reason we are so successful. Nine times accredited as a Top Employer, we value our people and are dedicated to making sure that everybody feels empowered to bring their authentic self to work. We have an exciting opportunity to join #TeamEMR in our Procurement Department as a Category Assistant.

At EMR we want to proactively embrace diversity across our workforce and recognise that we are under-represented in terms of females and ethnic minority groups. We’re therefore taking positive steps to promote a positive and inclusive culture; we welcome applications from those that identify with these groups to better represent our communities.

Main Duties of the Role:

• Manage and conduct low risk tender or quotation activity for goods, services, and one-off purchases.
• Support Category Managers with activities arising from the tendering cycle, from the creation of invitations to tender packages, evaluation criteria and evaluation of responses, development of contracts and post contract activity in line with the EMR Procurement Policy and Utilities Contract Regulations 2016.
• Provide support for Category Managers in the administration of tender exercises to ensure compliance and a clear audit trail.
• Establish and maintain relationships and work closely with key internal stakeholders such as budget holders, service and product users to provide a responsive and professional procurement service and to promote good procurement practices.
• Creation of POs through the Financial system to provide compliance to policies and procedures.
• Create and maintain auditable and transparent records and reports to meet internal and external management information and compliance requirements.
• Process new supplier requests received from colleagues within EMR ensuring the Procurement Policy is adhered to and existing contracts are utilized.
• Management and Governance of the contracts database to ensure that contracts remain valid, and any contractual breaches are identified and resolved.

Skills and Knowledge Required:

• A level qualified or equivalent experience.
• Studying or willing to study towards Professional Diploma Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS).
• Experience of working within a Procurement Environment.
• Working to multiple deadlines often under time constraints without compromising quality.
• Team player with the ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders internally and externally to the business. Adaptable to business change.
• Experience on delivering high quality customer service.
• Experience of working with a governance framework as well as good level of knowledge in ICT systems, including e-procurement systems and Microsoft suite.
• Confidence with willingness to challenge and be challenged.
• Ability to complete a procurement process from start to finish with some support.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, e.g. ability to communicate at all levels in the organisation.
• Has a flexible attitude and willing to embrace new challenges.

As well as a competitive salary, we’ll also offer you:

• Free First Class duty travel on the EMR network.
• Free Standard Class leisure travel on the EMR network.
• Friends and Family discounted tickets on the EMR network.
• 75% discount on national leisure travel (including partner and dependants).
• 32 days holiday per year.

…and many more!

EMR has a hybrid working policy which is applicable for this role. Should you wish to work full time in the office this is also an option.

To apply please complete the online application form and upload your CV, as we operate blind screening please remove personal details from your CV.

We promise to treat you fairly, consistently and with respect throughout the application, assessment and selection process.

For any queries about this role please contact [e-mail].

We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, we promote equal opportunities for all. East Midlands Railway is a non-discriminatory employer committed to the recruitment and promotion of all on the basis of ability and merit irrespective of disability, race, gender, health, social class, sexual preference, marital status, nationality, religion, employment status or age. We’ll treat your application fairly and assess you for the job based on merit and skills.