Procurement Manager

FirstGroup plc; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined benefit pension scheme

Rail travel for you and family

Discounted travel with partner TOCs

Company health care plan

Discounted shopping and gym

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

Great Western Railway is seeking a Procurement Manager to lead a diverse portfolio across multiple spend categories, including professional services and facilities. You will manage end-to-end procurement processes, negotiate contracts, and drive value while supporting the organisation’s transition to Public Ownership.

The role requires PA23 knowledge, strong stakeholder skills, and MCIPS qualification (or working towards). Base locations are Swindon, London, or Bristol with travel as needed.

Qualifications

• End-to-end tender management experience in PA23 public sector environments
• Post-award contract and supplier relationship management experience
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Highly organized with excellent time management and ability to prioritise
• Proactive in driving procurement projects with clear updates
• Analytical and data management skills using MS Excel and Word

Responsibilities

• Lead sourcing strategies and PA23-compliant tenders
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Identify opportunities to consolidate suppliers and rationalise contracts
• Support transition activities and complex regulated procurements
• Drive value through supplier relationship management and negotiations

Skills

End-to-end tender management

PA23 / public contracts

Contract negotiation

Contract management

E-procurement

Stakeholder management

Analytical data skills

Education

MCIPS qualification or working towards

Tools

MS Excel

MS Word

Job description

Salary up to £56,000 dependant on skills and experience, plus excellent benefits package. Fixed Term, Full Time for 18 Months.

Base location Swindon/London/Bristol

As one of the largest train companies in Britain, more than 100 million customers a year join us on board. When the Great Western Railway was built, it opened the West and Wales to trade and tourism. And now, along with our partners at Network Rail, we’re proud to have the chance to look after your railway.

As well as electrifying our main routes, and upgrading key stations, we have carried out the biggest upgrade of trains in the country. The Procurement team have an essential role to play in the success of GWR through our strategic sourcing and our approach to supplier management.

Our Team Vision: Be a trusted partner, that enables the business to achieve value for money every time.

At GWR, we understand the importance of investing in our employees' professional growth. As a Procurement Manager, you'll have access to a structured career progression path within GWR. Whether you're looking to enhance your skills, take on greater responsibilities, or pursue leadership positions, we're committed to supporting your career development every step of the way.

Alongside this, youwill also receive:

• defined benefit pension scheme with the Railways Pension Scheme,
• free rail travel across the GWR network for you and your family,
• discounted travel with other Train Operating Companies,
• company-sponsored health care plan,
• discounted shopping and gym membership
• employee assistance programme and much more.

About the job?

As a Procurement Manager, you will lead a diverse portfolio of procurement projects across multiple spend categories, including professional services, stationery, catering, cleaning, facilities services and fuel. You will play a key role in supporting the procurement function throughout the organisation's transition to Public Ownership.

To succeed in this position, you will be an enthusiastic, self-motivated individual with good interpersonal skills who can work both independently and within a wider multi-functional stakeholder team.

As the successful candidate, you must have experience in the following areas:

• PA23, Utilities or Public Contracts Regulations
• Contract negotiation
• Contract management
• E-procurement knowledge

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Leading sourcing strategies and competitive, PA23-compliant tenders to deliver value for money
• Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Identifying opportunities to consolidate suppliers and rationalise contracts
• Supporting transition activities and complex regulated procurements
• Driving value through supplier relationship management and commercial negotiations

About You?

Experience & skills required:

• End-to-end tender management experience, including drafting, issuing and evaluation, in a PA23-compliant public sector environment
• Proven post-award contract and supplier relationship management experience
• Strong communication skills with the ability to build effective internal and external stakeholder relationships
• Highly organised with excellent time-management skills and the ability to manage competing priorities
• Proactive in driving procurement projects and providing clear stakeholder updates
• Strong analytical and data management skills, with proficiency in MS Excel and Word.

As a minimum, you'll need:

• MCIPS qualified or working towards
• Previous experience in a procurement role within the public sector
• A basic understanding of contract law.

About the location?

Base location Swindon/London/Bristol, flexibility will be considered. You will be issued travel pass to travel on the GWR Network.

We all belong at GWR. This is our vision for providing an inclusive environment for all our colleagues, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment.

We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA, ethnicity, religion and disability. We maintain zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.

If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/

https://www.healthassured.org/blog/neurodiversity/

INGWR