Senior Procurement Manager - Rail - Warrington

Nuclear Transport Solutions; Appleton Thorn; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Nuclear Pension Scheme

Health Shield

30 days + 8 bank holidays

Buy/Sell annual leave

Family-friendly policies

Bonus

Professional development

Job summary

Nuclear Transport Solutions is seeking an experienced Senior Procurement Manager to lead the Rail category and shape safe, commercially effective supply chains. You will develop sourcing strategies, oversee complex procurements, and chair Tender Assessment Teams, delivering compliant contracts and value for NTS and its customers.

You'll manage a team of procurement professionals, work with commercial and project teams, and mitigate risks while supporting bids and new business opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven track record leading procurement in regulated, industrial or safety-critical contexts.
• Experience designing and running compliant procurement competitions.
• Experience coaching and developing people.
• Strong category-management or strategic-sourcing background.
• Experience managing multiple complex projects and deadlines.
• A track record holding suppliers and stakeholders to account.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team to deliver compliant, value-add procurement solutions.
• Manage the Rail category and align plans with business strategies.
• Support bids and project delivery with robust sourcing strategies.
• Chair complex procurement exercises and review contracts within authority.
• Oversee procurements up to 500,000 and ensure governance compliance.
• Mitigate commercial and supply-chain risks and negotiate terms.
• Build relationships across NTS, NDA, and external markets.
• Provide reporting to senior stakeholders and support new business proposals.

Skills

Procurement leadership

Regulated environment

Category management

Supplier negotiations

Stakeholder management

Contract negotiation

Bid support

Governance & compliance

Education

MCIPS or equivalent

Degree in business/economics/law

Tools

Atamis

Sage

Job description

Nuclear Transport Solutions is looking for an experienced Senior Procurement Manager to lead the day-to-day management of our Rail category and support the continued development of safe, secure and commercially effective supply chains.

You'll lead a team of procurement professionals, ensuring requirements are delivered compliantly and on time while achieving value for NTS and its customers. You'll also act as deputy to the Head of Procurement & Supply Chain where required.

This is a senior and influential role with responsibility for developing sourcing strategies, overseeing complex procurement exercises and putting robust contracts in place. You'll work closely with colleagues across Commercial, Business Development and Project Management to support customer bids, develop supply-chain solutions and ensure commercial risks are understood and appropriately managed.

What youll be doing

• Leading, managing and developing a team to deliver compliant, commercially effective and value-adding procurement solutions.
• Managing the Rail category and maintaining category plans aligned with NTS and business-line strategies.
• Developing sourcing and supply-chain solutions to support customer bids and project delivery.
• Leading complex procurement exercises and acting as Tender Assessment Team Chair for Silver and Gold procurements, where required.
• Reviewing and approving sourcing strategies and contract award recommendations within delegated authority.
• Overseeing procurements, contracts and purchase orders with a value of up to 500,000.
• Ensuring procurement activity complies with applicable legislation, governance requirements and NTS policies and procedures.
• Identifying commercial and supply-chain risks and developing appropriate mitigation plans.
• Negotiating with suppliers and developing contractual terms that protect NTS and support successful delivery.
• Ensuring contracts are implemented effectively and deliver the right commercial and operational outcomes.
• Developing strong relationships across NTS, the NDA group and the wider supply market.
• Providing clear management information and reporting to senior stakeholders.
• Supporting the wider Commercial function with customer proposals and new business opportunities.
• Representing NTS at internal and external forums.
• Promoting an inclusive culture built on respect, transparency, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Who were looking for

You'll be a credible and experienced procurement leader who can balance commercial judgement, regulatory compliance and operational delivery.

You'll be comfortable working with senior stakeholders, leading complex negotiations and making proportionate decisions within an established governance framework. Just as importantly, you'll be able to lead, coach and support a team while creating an environment where people are trusted to perform.

You’ll bring:

• Significant experience of leading procurement activity within a regulated, industrial or safety-critical environment.
• Experience of designing and running compliant procurement competitions.
• Experience of managing, coaching and developing people.
• Strong category-management or strategic-sourcing experience.
• Experience of managing multiple complex projects to demanding deadlines.
• A track record of holding suppliers and internal stakeholders to account.
• Experience of developing and negotiating contractual terms and conditions.
• Strong supplier negotiation and contract-management experience.
• Experience of supporting bids, customer proposals or business-development activity.

Experience of procuring road or sea transport services would be advantageous.

Knowledge

• A detailed, practical understanding of public procurement legislation and how it applies within a public-sector or public-corporation environment.
• Knowledge of public procurement governance, including relevant commercial standards and procurement policy requirements.
• A sound understanding of contract law and commercial risk.
• The ability to identify supply-chain risks and develop effective mitigation plans.
• Strong stakeholder-management knowledge, including the ability to understand and balance different commercial and operational priorities.
• Confidence using procurement and finance systems, with experience of Atamis and Sage being advantageous.

A professional procurement or commercial qualification, such as MCIPS or an equivalent recognised accreditation, would be desirable. A degree in business, economics, law or a related subject, or equivalent professional experience, would also be beneficial.

The Kind of People Were Looking For

• Take ownership of your work and enjoy being trusted to deliver
• Are collaborative, approachable and naturally supportive of others
• Care about doing the right thing, in the right way
• Are curious and motivated to learn, improve and grow
• Communicate openly and act with integrity and respect
• Are comfortable working in a purpose-driven, highly regulated environment

You dont need to tick every box on day one we value potential, attitude and alignment with our culture just as much as experience.

Wearethe leading global provider of safe,secureand reliable nuclear transport solutionsthatmake the world safer and more sustainable.As part of the UKs Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, we support the largest environmental restoration programme in Europe, and we use our specialist transport and logistics expertise to help customers and partners around the world solve their own complex challenges.

• 30 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays
• Buy / Sell annual leave
• Health Shield
• Nuclear Pension Scheme
• Hybrid working
• Family-friendly policies
• Bonus
• Professional development and career progression opportunities