Contract Manager

Porterbrook; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading rolling stock financier in the UK seeks an exceptional Contract Manager to oversee and manage service levels, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations. This role involves strategic supplier relationships, performance management, and administering warranty processes. The ideal candidate will have a degree in business and at least three years of procurement experience. Join a collaborative team committed to excellence in the rail industry, offering an excellent salary and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

1.5x employer contributory pension scheme

Enhanced family friendly policies

25 days' annual leave + Bank Holidays

Qualifications

• Experience of taking full accountability for end-to-end operational procurement processes.
• 3+ years of experience in a contractual procurement role.
• Knowledge of commercial and supply contracts.

Responsibilities

• Manage strategic relationships with suppliers and customers.
• Administer the warranty process to resolution.
• Provide timely updates into the Whole Life Maintenance Plan.

Skills

CIPS Qualified

Self-starter

Excellent stakeholder engagement

Negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Education

Degree qualification in business discipline

Tools

Oracle systems

e-procurement systems

Job description

Porterbrook is the UK's leading rolling stock financier and asset management company. We've been at the heart of the rail network for over three decades with 4000 vehicles in our diverse portfolio of passenger and freight trains.

As a partner that adds value to the railway today and for the future, we've invested over £3.5bn in new rolling stock and we're actively looking to invest a further £1bn in the years ahead. Since 2020, this includes over £550 million in new trains, fleet upgrades, traction innovation and rail infrastructure.

Sustainability is embedded in our decision making, and we've been named the global sector leader in the annual GRESB sustainability assessment for the last four years.

Our teams are leading some of the most exciting innovations taking place in the railway today at our offices in Derby and London, and the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre in Warwickshire. The 135-acre site is an invaluable asset for the railway to test and trial new traction technologies.

The Porterbrook group of companies is wholly owned by supportive long-term institutional investors, fully committed to the future of the UK rail sector.

Our values

About the team

We provide comprehensive engineering, project management and asset management services to ensure our assets deliver industry leading levels of performance and passenger satisfaction for our customers.

About the role

A great opportunity for an exceptional Contract Manager, to join the Porterbrook team.

Role Purpose

Accountable as the primary manager and interface between the supply chain, customer and business for emerging issues daily. Ensuring that service levels are achieved from the supply chain, with any issues escalated in a timely manner via the agreed escalation routes. It is the responsibility of the Contracts Manager to oversee and govern Spares Management Agreements (SMA) and Spares Access Agreements (SAA), ensuring stakeholders remain complaint to their contractual obligations. You will be responsible for providing back to the business, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and work with suppliers to improve performance where needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Use contract management methodologies to ensure that SMAs and SAAs, are executed in line with their Project Execution Plans
• Manage strategic relationships with suppliers and customers. Ensure that the service levels are being implemented as per the contractual and lease obligations
• Hold regular contract reviews with the supply chain to successfully manage performance, report on this monthly to internal stakeholders, with the support of the Senior Contracts and Warranty Manager
• Ensure that assets are managed effectively by correct identification of assets, ensuring storage is in line with the contractual requirements
• Ensure annual stock takes are held for any contracts which include float material and condition
• Administer the warranty process to resolution, ensuring all warranty claims raised by Porterbrook customers are dealt with in a timely manner. Using the warranty portal, work with customers and suppliers to resolve disputes, ensuring suppliers have float available to support both planned and unplanned requirements
• Where required support the business in mobilising any Free Issue Material (FIM) Orders
• Ensure that Porterbrook's suppliers, relevant to SMAs, are accredited for the scope of work undertaken
• Manage and maintain a risk register/ RAID via Porterbrook's Project Management software.
• Ensure that suppliers and contracts, relevant to SMAs, are set up effectively within Porterbrook's EAM system,
• Provide timely updates into the Whole Life Maintenance Plan, ensuring any changes in price or attrition rates are reflected
• Manage and track via an agreed methodology all Additional Arising Work claims, ensure suppliers provide adequate information for Porterbrook to recover costs accordingly
• Liaise with the Planning department to ensure that production plans are met on time
• Support and execute tasks relating to business improvements
• Provide inputs into the procurement process, when required, based on knowledge and previous experience
• Support the function and business in the drive for continuous improvement by holding regular continuous improvement forums with suppliers
• With the support of the Senior Contracts and Warranty Manager, produce a monthly report for the Head of Maintenance Services, detailing each of your contracts' performance
• Review any National Incident Reports (NIR) allocated against the SMA and/or supplier, support other functions within Porterbrook to NIR closure

Other Duties

• Operate in line with the organisation's values and behaviours
• Support all the areas of the business to ensure that current and future SMA contracts are set-up in an appropriate way so they can be managed successfully
• Support the Porterbrook Procurement team by providing key performance indicators on supplier performance and contractual escalation requirements, receive feedback from Quarterly Business Reviews
• Provide monthly updates, to the Porterbrook safety committee pack

Skills / Experience

What you'll need to have

• CIPS Qualified, working towards or prepared to embark on the journey
• Degree qualification preferably in business discipline
• 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 escalated
• Experience of taking full accountability for the end-to-end operational procurement processes
• Experience of Oracle systems is desirable
• 3 years plus experience in a contractual procurement role
• Track record of managing suppliers effectively
• Knowledge of the procurement process
• Knowledge of commercial and supply contracts
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills
• Experience of working in a small team and covering a wide range of accountabilities
• Rail experience would be a distinct advantage but not essential

It would be great if you also had

• Commercial and negotiation skills
• Well organised and able to work to deadlines
• Ability to communicate at all levels, internally and externally
• Excellent oral and written communication skillsNumerate with strong analytical skills
• Experience of e-procurement systems an advantage

A great place to work

People are the heart of Porterbrook. Our close knit team is diverse, supportive and flexible. We have a collaborative work ethic both within the company and with our customers and suppliers. In recognition of this we have been awarded:

• Investors in People Gold accreditation
• Investors in People 'We Invest in Wellbeing' Gold accreditation
• National Rail Awards 2023 Fleet Achievement of the Year
• National Rail Awards 2023 Safety Achievement of the Year

These accolades reflect the company's dedication to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace where employees are empowered to thrive.

To learn more about why Porterbrook is a great place to work please visit our website and follow us on social media.

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 outstanding people and a road map for the future to grow and develop the business. Some of our benefits are listed below:

• 1.5x employer contributory pension scheme
• Financial wellbeing support
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Adoption & Shared Parental Leave benefits
• Enhanced Armed Forces policies
• Ongoing support with professional and personal development
• Long service awards
• 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

Should you be suitable for the role, the full benefits package will be discussed in more detail during your screening call.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us on our journey.

Accessibility

We're committed to helping you perform at your best throughout the recruitment process. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please get in touch with us at [e-mail] we'll be happy to discuss how we can assist.

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.

This vacancy may close at any time once sufficient applications have been received. Early submission of your application is therefore encouraged.

What happens next?

Once your application has been reviewed, our recruitment team will be in contact.

Our interview process is typically two stages to ensure a thorough evaluation while providing a chance for you to showcase your skills and fit for our team. This approach allows us to engage in meaningful discussions, assess your qualifications more comprehensively, and ensure a mutual alignment with our company values. If you're ready to take the next step in your career, we look forward to meeting you!