Indirect Procurement Lead — Hybrid, Strategy & Savings

XC Trains Limited; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Arriva, Birmingham-based, is seeking a Category Manager - Indirect to lead a small team and own end-to-end procurement, from market engagement to contract award and supplier relationship development. The role covers regulated and non-regulated procurements under the Procurement Act 2023, with a focus on value, governance and compliance.

You will work with stakeholders to shape strategies, improve processes, and drive cost savings while ensuring ethical and sustainable procurement practices.

Qualifications

• Proven experience compiling robust tender and commercial documentation.
• Experience running tenders and leading complex procurement activities.
• Strong negotiation skills with a track record of delivering successful commercial outcomes.
• Experience procuring direct and indirect goods and services - ideally within IT, rail or transport environments.
• Strong understanding of technical services supply markets.
• Excellent stakeholder relationship skills, with the ability to influence and support decision-making.
• Strong analytical and spend analysis skills, including advanced Excel capability.
• Membership of CIPS (or working towards it).

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate a small team while reporting directly into the Head of Procurement & Property.
• Implement and continuously improve procurement processes to ensure smooth, compliant operations across the business.
• Shape procurement strategies that deliver value for money, including opportunities such as supplier consolidation and innovation.
• Build and maintain an aligned, forward-looking procurement pipeline to meet business needs.
• Manage major procurement projects - both regulated and non-regulated - producing high-quality tender documents, evaluation frameworks and reports.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to understand their needs and help identify best-fit solutions.
• Foster strong relationships with existing and potential suppliers through structured supplier relationship management.
• Partner with legal and procurement colleagues to ensure adherence to contractual terms and protect CrossCountry's commercial interests.
• Drive supplier performance, resolve service issues, and ensure non-conformances are addressed promptly.
• Support process improvements that strengthen resilience and efficiency across the supply chain.
• Identify, deliver and track cost savings, commercial opportunities and added value.
• Benchmark supplier performance and negotiate contract changes to ensure continuous value delivery.
• Present strategies, pricing recommendations and insights to senior leadership.
• Leverage data analysis, demand profiling and market insights to inform pricing and supplier strategies.
• Be an expert user of Purchase-to-Pay systems and help promote best practice across the organisation.
• Maintain deep knowledge of supply markets, trends and key suppliers.
• Work collaboratively with Group Procurement and AUKT Central Procurement on cross-group initiatives.
• Utilise Crown Commercial Service (CCS) frameworks where appropriate.
• Carry out any additional duties as required by the Head of Procurement & Property.

Skills

Tender management

Procurement strategy

Stakeholder management

Supplier relationship management

Negotiation

Data analysis

Advanced Excel

Education

CIPS membership (or working towards)

Tools

Purchase-to-Pay systems

Job description

Arriva, Birmingham-based, is seeking a Category Manager - Indirect to lead a small team and own end-to-end procurement, from market engagement to contract award and supplier relationship development. The role covers regulated and non-regulated procurements under the Procurement Act 2023, with a focus on value, governance and compliance.

You will work with stakeholders to shape strategies, improve processes, and drive cost savings while ensuring ethical and sustainable procurement practices.