Contracts Assistant

Network Rail; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

28 days annual leave

Rail travel subsidies

Pension options

Job summary

Network Rail in Milton Keynes is seeking candidates for roles in the Supply Chain Operations team. The role focuses on managing materials, contracts and supplier relationships to ensure on-site delivery of goods and services, with hybrid working and a 35-hour week.

We value diverse, inclusive workplaces and offer flexibility, development opportunities, and a clear development path within a permanent role.

Qualifications

• Ability to meet deadlines with high accuracy.
• Strong administrative and analytical capabilities.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Good commercial awareness and customer focus.

Responsibilities

• Support management of supply chain contracts to achieve cost-effective delivery of goods and services.
• Collate data on all transactions; investigate and reconcile costs in end-to-end processes.
• Develop relationships with customers and suppliers; maintain processes for query resolution.
• Support the team to deliver a comprehensive service to business areas.
• Provide data, analysis and commentary for management reports.
• Assist in timely collection of commercial information and payment of creditors.
• Identify and implement quality and efficiency improvement initiatives.

Skills

Administration

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Customer focus

Commercial awareness

Job description

Join Our Team at Network Rail!

Are you ready to make a difference in people's lives? At Network Rail, we connect passengers and freight customers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country. We're an organisation where people truly matter, and when you join us, you matter to us and millions of others.

We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve.

We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process. We are an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly and invest in your career with us while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Investing in our people is key to enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our railway system. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact, then this opportunity is for you!

About The Role

Route Services is a division of Network Rail that provides the Routes with services so they can help Network Rail deliver a better railway for a better Britain. We support the Routes with a myriad of services and supplies they need to maintain and operate the railway.

This role sits within Supply Chain Operations (SCO), an area of the business which supplies and delivers the logistics, materials, components, rail and road fleet that enable the maintenance and renewal of the railway.

SCO keeps the materials, machinery and components required by its customers moving - making sure they are on-site when needed so work can go ahead as planned and on schedule.

Working with us is more than a salary.

Vacancy type: These roles are permanent.

Location: The Quadrant, Milton Keynes. These positions require three days per in the office, with Tuesday and Wednesday as core days and flexibility on the third day.

Hours: 35 hours per week with hybrid working and some infrequent travel as required. Flexible working can be considered.

Salary range: Band 5, £26,842 £29,035 per annum, depending on skills and experience.

Closing date: 27 October 2026. Late applicants will not be accepted. This role is being advertised internally and externally.

Applicants who do not complete the supporting statement are less likely to be shortlisted. Please see attached guide - How to complete Supporting Statement.

Employee Benefits

• clear development path
• access to training
• up to 28 days annual leave
• rail travel subsidies
• a range of pension options
• flexible and agile working arrangements
• discounts on shopping
• gym memberships

Reasonable Adjustments

• Changing a provision, practice or 'the way things are done' For example, we can give candidates extra time to complete online, tasks or interviews as needed.
• Changing a physical feature of our workplace For example, office/room layout can be adapted to accommodate individual needs.
• Providing extra equipment or assistance For example, we can provide sign language interpreters and support workers where needed. Alternative document formats can be made available.

There are lots of other adjustments we can consider - please just ask!

The Recruitment Process

• Competency Based Interview

Your Experience And Skills

These roles sit within the STEP (Signalling & Telecoms, Electrification & Plant) Team and focus on managing materials. The team has a broad remit, covering sourcing, post-contract and supplier management, commercial and operational risk, systemic administration, and support for maintenance and project customers. It is a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same. We are looking for individuals who can bring fresh ideas, contribute to the team, and are willing to roll up their sleeves and help wherever needed!

Key Accountabilities

• Support the management of supply chain contracts to achieve the most cost-effective delivery of goods and services.
• Collate data on all transactions incurred in delivering contracts. Investigate and reconcile transactions and costs as part of an end-to-end process.
• Develop effective relationships with customers and suppliers. Develop and maintain processes for effective query resolution.
• Support the team as required, to deliver a comprehensive service to the business areas.
• Provide data, analysis and commentary for management reports.
• Assist in supporting the timely collection of business unit commercial information and payment of business unit creditors.
• Assist in identification and implementation of quality and efficiency improvement initiatives.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Proven ability to work to tight deadlines and mandated processes with a high level of accuracy.
• Good administration and analytical skills.
• Good interpersonal and relationship building skills.
• Good commercial awareness.
• A customer focussed approach.

Desirable Criteria

• Railway knowledge.
• Awareness of supply chain processes.
• Experience within a customer service role.

Pre-employment Checks

• All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.
• Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.