Contracts Assistant

Network Rail; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Maternity/paternity/adoption leave

Hybrid working arrangements

Annual leave 28 days + statutory days

Station discounts

Defined benefit pension

Train ticket discount

Volunteer leave

Job summary

Network Rail in Milton Keynes is recruiting for a 12-month fixed-term contract in Engineering Services. The role focuses on data analysis, reporting, and commercial information to support efficient and cost-effective operations across the supply chain.

You will work closely with colleagues, customers and suppliers, reviewing data, reconciling transactions and driving process improvements. The role requires organisational skills, deadline discipline and a customer-focused approach.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to work to tight deadlines and mandated processes with a high level of accuracy
• Good administration and analytical skills
• Good Microsoft Excel skills
• Stakeholder management skills
• A customer focussed approach

Responsibilities

• Analyse data and produce reports for management
• Support timely payment of suppliers and maintain strong supplier relationships
• Collaborate with the wider team to resolve issues and improve processes
• Identify opportunities to increase quality, efficiency and value across the supply chain
• Work with colleagues, customers and suppliers to ensure goods and services are delivered efficiently and cost effectively

Skills

Deadline-driven

Admin skills

Excel skills

Stakeholder management

Customer focus

Tools

Excel

Job description

Who We Are

Join Network Rail - Where People and Connections Matter

At Network Rail, we are dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you are not just part of a team - you are part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway.

We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To discover more about our ED&I commitments we value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we will do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process. You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support.

If you're ready to make a real difference, we would love to hear from you!

Some Of Our Great Benefits

• We offer generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave to support our employees during significant life moments
• Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered
• Generous annual leave up to 28 days plus statutory days (role dependant), with the option to buy/sell days
• Discounts at selected stations with your Network Rail pass
• Defined benefit pension scheme
• 75% off leisure train tickets for you and your dependents (subject to T&Cs)
• Interest-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets
• Volunteer leave to make a positive impact
• Plus more....

About The Role

Vacancy Details

Duration: 12 month fixed term contract with the potential to be extended or made permanent.

Location: This role is based in The Quadrant: Milton Keynes. This role is a full-time opportunity, flexible working patterns will be considered. For this role, you must live within 75 minutes.

Band & Salary: Band 5 - £26,842.00 to £32,000 depending on skills and experience (Pro Rata)

Closing date: Monday 5th October 2026, Please note, late applications may not be accepted.

Your Experience And Skills

Engineering Services

Engineering Services is a function within Route Services. We sit as a central team to provide national skills and activities which enable regions and industry partners to deliver the railway for our customers.

As a large central functional team which focus on engineering delivery, we have many roles, ranging from pure engineering to project management. We design and influence every part of the railway, including structures, track, traction power, level crossings, signalling and accessibility schemes which are essential to keep our stations moving.

What does the average day look like?

No two days are the same, but you can expect to work closely with colleagues, customers and suppliers to help ensure goods and services are delivered efficiently and cost effectively. You'll spend time reviewing and reconciling transaction data, investigating queries, and maintaining strong supplier relationships to keep contracts running smoothly.

A typical day could involve analysing data and producing reports for management, supporting the timely payment of suppliers, and helping business areas with commercial information. You'll also collaborate with the wider team to resolve issues, improve processes, and identify opportunities to increase quality, efficiency and value across the supply chain.

This is a varied role that combines data analysis, stakeholder management and continuous improvement, offering the chance to make a real impact on day-to-day business operations.

Who are we looking for?

We're looking for someone who is organised, detail-oriented and customer-focused, with strong administrative and analytical skills. You'll be confident working to deadlines, building positive relationships with a range of stakeholders, and using your commercial awareness to support effective business decisions.

Your Experience And Skills:

• Proven ability to work to tight deadlines and mandated processes with a high level of accuracy
• Good administration and analytical skills
• Good Microsoft Excel skills
• Stakeholder management skills
• A customer focussed approach

Desirable

• Contract support understanding
• Awareness of supply chain processes
• Compliance reporting
• Knowledge of internal auditing process ISO 9001

Please see attached job description for full details including essential criteria.

Additional Information

Contact: If you have any questions or reasonable adjustments, please contact [e-mail]

Closing date: Monday 5th October 2026, Please note, we may need to close the advert early based upon application volumes. Late applications may not be accepted.

Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our Safety Vision All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.