Procurement Assistant

West Coast Partnership Development; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Join Avanti West Coast as a vital member of the procurement team to support the Procurement Manager. In this dynamic role, you will assist in delivering procurement services, ensure compliance, and help drive improvements in procurement practices while maintaining effective communication across various stakeholders. This position is ideal for someone looking to advance their career in procurement within the rail industry.

Benefits

Railway pension scheme

Free travel on Avanti West Coast

Privilege Travel card

30 days holiday, increasing with service

10 free journeys on First Group trains

Qualifications

• High proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel and Visio.
• Strong organisational and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple projects.
• Experience in issuing communications and reporting, with knowledge in procurement systems.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Procurement Manager in delivering procurement services.
• Maintain and analyse databases, oversee contracts, and manage vendor onboarding.
• Generate reports for stakeholders and support project delivery.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Project Management

Stakeholder Management

Communication Skills

Education

A Levels or equivalent

Degree in business-related subject

Tools

SAP

Contract Databases

Job description

• This role is only open to Avanti West Coast employees. All applications from external candidates will be automatically withdrawn from the process**
  
  

Join Avanti West Coast today and drive procurement excellence for a future-ready infrastructure!

We're looking for someone to support the Procurement Manager in delivering procurement services for station developments, projects, Facilities Management, and other station contracts within the Infrastructure Directorate. You'll assist with tendering, reporting, updating core systems, and improving processes to ensure efficiency.

As part of our established procurement team, you'll help drive improvements in procurement practices at Avanti West Coast, ensuring compliance and effective communication across the business. You'll also provide additional support during peak workloads and assist with the transition to Public Ownership, including supporting the Compliance team.

Your role will involve developing strong working relationships across First Group, the Rail Division, other Train Operating Companies, and internally at all levels to ensure consistent and effective support for the Infrastructure Directorate.

Key Accountabilities

• Maintain and analyse master databases: Oversee contracts and savings reporting tools, proactively managing and analysing key data related to the Infrastructure Directorate to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
• Update project pipeline and risk register: Regularly update these tools with detailed information provided by the Procurement Manager to keep track of ongoing projects and potential risks.
• Handle administrative tasks for tendering processes: Manage administrative duties within Wax Digital, ensuring all active tendering processes are documented and executed smoothly.
• Generate regular reports: Produce detailed reports from key systems and databases for key stakeholders, including inputs for the Procurement Leadership Forum, the Department for Transport (DfT), and periodic Directorate reports.
• Support project delivery: Assist the Procurement Manager with the delivery of identified projects and provide additional support to the Procurement Team as required, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Manage vendor onboarding and quality assurance: Oversee the onboarding process for new vendors, ensuring they meet quality assurance and safety standards for the Infrastructure Directorate. Act as the focal point for resolving day-to-day supply chain and procurement issues.
  
  

You Will

• Have a high level of proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly advanced Excel and Visio, with a strong understanding of processes, compliance, and governance. Your project management experience and ability to influence key stakeholders at all levels will be essential.
• Possess excellent organisational and planning skills, with the capability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Your strong stakeholder management and collaboration skills will help you build credibility with internal stakeholders.
• Be able to prioritise tasks and work independently, using your initiative to identify and deliver innovative solutions and improve processes. Your excellent written and verbal communication skills will ensure accuracy and thoroughness.
• Have general business experience and some knowledge of procurement systems like SAP and contract databases. Your experience in issuing communications and reporting will be valuable, and rail industry experience is desirable.
• You will hold a minimum of A Levels or equivalent, with a degree in a business-related subject being ideal. You will be self-motivated and committed to personal development.
  
  

Benefits

• Railway pension scheme
• Free travel on Avanti West Coast for you/spouse/partner/dependents
• Privilege Travel card (75% off other train operators fares for leisure travel)
• 30 days holiday rising by 1 for every completed year of service to a maximum of 37 days (inclusive of bank holidays)
• 10 free journeys on other First Group Train Operator
  
  

At Avanti West Coast, we value the differences that make each of us unique! Avanti West Coast recognises the benefits of building a diverse workforce and employing people from diverse backgrounds, which includes their race, religion, age, gender, gender identity, disability and sexual orientation.

Everyone who joins Avanti West Coast becomes part of our close knit team. We're committed to ensuring that Avanti West Coast is inclusive, a place where people are encouraged to be themselves, and not an edited version to fit in. A place where differences are welcomed, recognised, accepted and put to good use!