Operations Buyer

CAF Group; Stockport; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Pension up to 10% employer

Health care cash plan

Bike2Work scheme

Volunteering days

Job summary

CAF Rail UK is seeking an Operations Buyer to manage end-to-end procurement for fleet maintenance and service delivery across the UK rail network. Based in Stockport, you will work with Demand Team, Category Manager and internal stakeholders to ensure material availability and supplier performance.

You will lead sourcing, negotiations, expediting, and monitor supplier performance while focusing on ERP data accuracy and total cost of ownership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Procurement/Supply Chain, Business, or related field.
• Working towards CIPS and foundation level 4.
• Proven experience in procurement or purchasing roles, preferably within rail/transport.
• Strong understanding of supply chain operations and supplier performance metrics.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management capabilities.
• Familiarity with ERP and procurement systems - SAP with S4/HANA experience.

Responsibilities

• End-to-end management of operational procurement activities to support fleet maintenance and service delivery across the rail network.
• Collaborate with Demand Team, Category Manager and internal stakeholders to ensure material availability.
• Proactive supplier management: sourcing, negotiation, order expediting and performance monitoring.
• Focus on data accuracy within ERP, cost control including Total Cost of Ownership, and process improvement.

Skills

Communication

Relationship-building

Organizational skills

Time management

Critical thinking

Adaptability

Integrity

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Procurement/Supply Chain, Business, or related field

Tools

SAP

SAP S/4HANA

Job description

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Operations Buyer

Company: CAF Rail UK

Location: STOCKPORT, GB

ABOUT CAF

Innovation is in our DNA - we thrive on pushing boundaries and adapting to new challenges with a flexible approach. Proud to be a global leader, our fast-paced growth provides exciting opportunities for our team and the community.

Committed to maintaining trains and trams, our mission is to enhance vehicle safety and reliability. Our ultimate goal is to deliver a comfortable, dependable, and sustainable commuting experience for all passengers.

Based out of multiple locations across the UK, our 24/7 operation means we’re always on hand to deliver reliable technical support. Utilising the latest digital technology, we strive to enhance dependability, helping people to get to where they need to be!

What can you expect from CAF?

• Positive Work Environment:You will work in a positive environment, based on mutual respect and team spirit.
• Professional Development:Our projects are often measured in years, sometimes decades, giving you and the organisation a future.
• Learning and Autonomy:We will encourage you to work autonomously, being able to propose and decide 'what' and 'how'.
• Security and Reliability:CAF has been working for over 100 years on a path that stretches into the future, giving you the security you need.
• Cutting-edge technology:You will work with the latest technologies, facing the challenge of devising innovative approaches and solutions every day.

What will be your role in the company?

The Operations Buyer plays a critical role within the UK Supply Chain function, responsible for the end-to-end management of operational procurement activities to support fleet maintenance and service delivery across the rail network. The role ensures the timely, accurate, and cost-effective procurement of materials and services, aligned with demand requirements, inventory management policies, and Category Management strategies.

Working closely with the Demand Team, Category Manager, and key internal stakeholders you will ensure material availability to support preventative, corrective, and overhaul maintenance activities, minimising downtime and operational risk.

The role requires proactive supplier management, including sourcing, negotiation, order expediting, and performance monitoring to ensure suppliers meet agreed service, quality, and delivery expectations. A strong focus is placed on data accuracy within ERP systems, cost control (including Total Cost of Ownership), and continuous improvement of procurement processes in line with UK rail industry standards and organisational objectives.

What salary will you be paid for this role?

As a Real Living Wage Employer, we are proud to pay competitively at CAF. For this role you will be offered a starting salary between £33,000 and a maximum £38,000 per annum, based on experience and qualifications.

What will make you successful in this position?

ACADEMIC &/OR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a Procurement/Supply Chain, Business, or a related field.
• Working towards CIPS and qualified to foundation level 4.
• Proven experience in procurement or purchasing roles, preferable within the rail or transportation industry
• Strong understanding of supply chain operations and supplier performance metrics.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management capabilities.
• Familiarity with ERP and procurement systems - ideally SAP with experiecne of S4/HANA

Serving Customers

Driving for Results

Displaying Technical Expertise

Critical Thinking

Adapting to Change

Acting with Integrity

Building and Supporting Teams

Other requirements and/or aspects to be assessed

ABOUT WHAT WE OFFER

A Real Living Wage employer and proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, RSSB Mental Health Charter and Women in Rail EDI Charter, we’ve a lot to shout about at CAF.

Creating a culture of inclusivity and belonging is really important to us and we’re proud to offer our people a range of benefits to support wellbeing including 25 days annual leave, an excellent workplace pension scheme (with up to 10% contribution from us), not forgetting to mention our generous health care cash plan and Bike2Work scheme just to name a few!

Looking for career development? Our Professional Sponsorship scheme will help you to achieve your goals while our Flexible Working policy and Family Friendly culture mean everyone is supported to thrive at CAF.

As a socially responsible business, we offer paid volunteering days and promote a variety of social value initiatives, including tree-planting, company-wide donation drives, and providing support to the homeless community and refugees. We’re creating waves of positive change through delivering meaningful social value impact on and off the tracks!