Senior Procurement Manager

DfT Operator; City Of London; On-site; GBP 63,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A government rail body is seeking a Senior Procurement Manager to oversee procurement processes and manage transition of train operators to the public sector. The role requires at least 5 years of public sector procurement experience, strong negotiation and communication skills, and a proven track record of managing teams. This position offers a competitive salary of up to £75,000 and generous benefits including an annual leave of up to 30 days. Applications should be submitted online by 9th January 2026.

Benefits

Annual Leave up to 30 days

DC Pension Scheme with employer contribution

Opportunities to network within the industry

Qualifications

• At least 5 years' experience in public sector procurement.
• Ability to negotiate complex commercial agreements.
• Proven track record of driving engagement at senior levels.

Responsibilities

• Manage procurement processes and supporting team transition to public sector.
• Lead a team to meet internal sourcing requirements.
• Develop commercial opportunities to drive value.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Relationship management

Analytical skills

Strong team working

Communication skills

Education

CIPS qualification

Degree level education

Job description

Senior Procurement Manager

About DFT Operator

Join Our Team at DFTO

DFTO is the government’s public sector rail owning group. Its purpose is to bring all currently privately-owned train operators into public ownership in advance of the creation of Great British Railways in 2027 - and deliver improvements in the here and now by unifying and integrating train operations under common public ownership.

DFTO has over 24,000 employees, runs over 6,500 services a day and delivers over 450 million customer journeys across its networks every year. This accounts for 28% of total UK passenger journeys and 32% of passenger miles.

Major improvements are being delivered by DFTO train operators (TOCs) that are already under public ownership - these are LNER, Northern, TransPennine Express (TPE), southeastern, South Western Railway (SWR), c2c and Greater Anglia.

Our vision is to unify and strengthen train operators under the DFTO banner. By working collaboratively, we aim to become industry‑leading in safety, customer service, financial and operational performance.

Vacancy Details

Duration: 2 Year FTC
Location: London Waterloo
Salary: up to £75,000
Closing date: 9th January 2026
Report to: Head of Procurement and Contracts

DFTO Benefits

Annual Leave: Starting at 25 days and rising to an additional day per year of service completed within the first 5 completed years up to a maximum of 5 additional (30 days)

DC Pension Scheme: 10% Employer contribution, 5% Employee contribution

Opportunities to learn and network across the wider industry

Purpose of Job

This role consists of managing all procurement processes and pipeline management through award of contracts, handover and supplier management within DfT Operator Limited (DFTO). The role supports the Head of Procurement and Contracts; and works with Train Operators (TOC) Procurement Departments and Supplier Management staff across DOHL and TOCs to manage support transition into the Public sector and to establish Group Sourcing Mechanisms. The role underpins both DFTO’s and the Procurement Directorate’s Business Plan. In addition to TOCs, the role may be required to work with DfT, RNP, external stakeholders such as Network Rail, Crown Commercial Services, and other Government bodies.

Key Competencies

Communicate & Influence

• Communicate with others in a clear, honest, and enthusiastic way in order to build trust with TOCs, external stakeholders, DfT and other government bodies.
• Explain complex issues in a way that is easy to understand, considering people’s individual needs. Deliver difficult messages with clarity and sensitivity, being persuasive when required.
• Consider the impact of the language used. Remain open‑minded and impartial in discussions, whilst respecting the diverse interests and opinions of others.
• Introduce different methods for communication, including making the most of digital resources whilst getting value for money.
• Monitor the effectiveness of own and team communications and take action to improve where necessary.

Seeing the Big Picture

• Understand the strategic drivers for your area of work.
• Align activities to contribute to wider organisational priorities. Remain alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact your work area.
• Understand how the strategies and activities of the team create value and meet the diverse needs of all stakeholders.

Making Effective Decisions

• Understand own level of responsibility and empower others to make decisions where appropriate.
• Analyse and use a range of relevant, credible information from internal and external sources to support decisions. Invite challenge and where appropriate involve others in decision making. Display confidence when making difficult decisions, even if they prove to be unpopular.
• Consult with others to ensure the potential impacts on end users have been considered. Present strong recommendations in a timely manner outlining the consideration of other options, costs, benefits, and risks.

Working Together

• Encourage joined up teamwork within own team and across other groups. Establish professional relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Collaborate with these to share information, resources, and support. Invest time to develop a common focus and genuine positive team spirit where colleagues feel valued and respect one another.
• Put in place support for the wellbeing of individuals within the team, including consideration of your own needs. Make it clear to all team members that bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable.
• Actively seek and consider input of people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Changing and Improving

• Seek out opportunities for innovation and have the courage to take risks and make step changes to how things are done. Give feedback on changes in a constructive manner.
• Take a positive, open approach to the possibility of change and encourage others to do the same.
• Help others to understand changes and the reasons they are being put in place. Identify and act on the effects changes are having on your role and that of the team. Look for ways to use technology to achieve efficient and effective results. Consider accessibility needs of the diverse range of end users.
• Provide constructive challenge to senior management on change proposals.

Key Responsibilities

Typically, the key responsibilities in this role will include (but are not limited to):

• Support the transition of TOCs into the public sector, this will involve leading a team which will access pipelines, existing contracts, and supporting TOC Procurement Departments to prepare for and during transition as per DFTO Transition Policy, providing access to public sector contracts and acting as a representative when required.
• Management of a team and their delivery to satisfy internal customers’ sourcing requirements and balancing of workload to achieve agreed deadlines.
• Develop and balance commercial and procurement opportunities across DFTO and TOCs and supply chain to drive and add value, engaging with all internal and external group functions and stakeholders.
• Implement opportunities to improve operational efficiencies and drive value for money.
• Develop and build on key stakeholder relationships within DFTO, TOCs and other third parties to drive engagement with the procurement function and value.
• Negotiate and complete potentially complex contract terms and conditions with preferred suppliers, minimising Northern’s risks and liabilities, using professional support as deemed necessary.
• Assess and constructively challenge business requirements and specifications to ensure they offer best value, are fit for purpose and, where appropriate, have drawn upon best practice and collaborative advantage drawn from shareholders’ existing or proposed agreements.
• Prepare and issue procurement documentation and Invitations to tender as may be required.
• Leadership, support, and development of the procurement team members.
• Ensuring Company/group Policies and Procedures are complied with by the Sourcing, Resilience, and mobilisation team, including Performance Reviews, welfare, employee Health and Safety.
• Identify risk and implement appropriate mitigation activities within the supply chain.
• Undertake various projects as requested by the Head of Procurement and Contracts.
• Manage Sourcing, Resilience, and mobilisation staff.

Strategy

Supports the delivery and adherence to commercial policy and strategy and to comply with relevant legislation and regulation and manage compliance risk appropriately.

Corporate Leadership

Support the Procurement Directorates Governance and Assurance process to set the direction for the DFTO; communicates priorities, new processes and (where appropriate) business plans and ensures that individual and team objectives are aligned with them.

Change Management

Promotes a culture that acknowledges the value of positive change and diversity; creates strategies to involve those who will be affected by planning and preparation and to support them through the change.

Governance

Ensures corporate governance and compliance is maintained in the use of Procurement processes. This to be enforced via communication and audit.

Issue Resolution and Business Continuity

Takes responsibility for resolving key risks and issues; uses insight into individuals, groups, and organisational dynamics to gain agreement; involves and influences everyone necessary to get the job done.

Performance Management

Support Procurement Managers in risk management to enable programmes and projects to deliver to time, cost, and quality requirements; systematically organises activities, clarifying tasks and responsibilities and making best use of resources.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Technical Qualifications

The post holder have a proven track‑record of success as a procurement manager in a public sector procurement environment. Extensive experience is specifically required in:

• At least 5 years’ experience and successful track record in procurement of complex and high value goods and services.
• A proven self‑starter who can identify opportunities and requirements and work on their own initiative.
• You will be able to negotiate commercial agreements and contract terms.
• You will have excellent communication and relationship management skills.
• You will be a strong team worker and able to operate across multiple levels and drive engagement.
• You will be flexible and able to manage and prioritise changing business needs and workloads.
• Good knowledge of procurement law including Public Contracts Regulations 2015, Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 & Procurement Regulations 2024.
• Experience of presenting to, engaging with, and influencing at senior management and Board level.
• CIPS qualification and educated to degree level is desirable but not essential.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: Candidates applying for this position on a secondment basis must inform their line manager prior to submitting their application. This is to ensure transparency and facilitate any necessary discussions regarding workload and responsibilities.

About our people and the recruitment process – We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don't always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we’ll do our best to help and invest in your career with us, whilst you have a healthy work life balance.

Contact

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