Strategic Sourcing Manager

Great British Energy Group; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Network Rail is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Manager (Inside IR35) to lead a team of Sourcing Specialists and drive major savings across £300m-£500m spend. The role is predominantly based in Milton Keynes with optional work from Birmingham or London for two days weekly.

You will develop and deliver integrated category strategies, influence senior stakeholders, and ensure compliant sourcing across complex programmes, including rail infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Line management experience is required.
• Public sector procurement experience is essential.
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Strong influencing skills to steer senior stakeholders.
• Proven sourcing experience with cost and value delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Sourcing Specialists and/or Sourcing Managers and guide the team.
• Develop and execute sourcing for complex, high-spend categories (£300m-£500m).
• Collaborate with Strategic Category Managers and heads of function to deliver category strategies.
• Lead negotiations to secure significant savings and benefits with Finance approvals.

Skills

Line management

Public sector experience

Cross-functional collaboration

Influencing strategies

Sourcing experience

Cost and value focus

Education

CIPS or MCIPS

Job description

On behalf of Network Rail, we are looking for a Strategic Sourcing Manager (Inside IR35) for a 6 month contract based predominantly in Milton Keynes on Thursdays but can work from Birmingham or London the other 2 days a week

Network Rail is at the heart of revitalising Britain’s railway. From Crossrail - Europe’s largest civil engineering project - to investment in world-class stations and major programmes of electrification, we are involved in some of the most ambitious and diverse ventures that this country has ever seen. We at Network Rail are dedicated to becoming one of Britain's best employers and believe this starts with placing the candidate at the heart of everything we do!

As a Strategic Sourcing Manager, your main responsibilities will be:

• Lead a team of Sourcing Specialists and/or Sourcing Managers and contribute to the development of the Sourcing team to maximise value for the organisation by supporting and providing guidance to peers and input into training requirements and fostering team work
• Develop the Sourcing process for complex, medium to high spend goods or services, utilising, where relevant, commercial purpose-built models. Influencing annual spend in the range of £300m - £500m , managing all risk, legislative and regulatory requirements
• Working collaboratively with the Strategic Category Managers and relevant customers & stakeholders (at ‘Heads of’ level) to execute the Integrated Category Strategies through the development and delivery of a Sourcing pipeline
• Lead negotiator of significant savings and benefits, in collaboration with all relevant customers and stakeholders, approved by Finance and applied to budgets, where applicable
• Establish a collaborative way of working with all relevant customers and stakeholders that supports the successful transition of Sourcing led execution to Strategic Supplier Management
• Challenge demand and aggregation of requirements of customers and stakeholders to maximise overall value, whilst aligning to customers’ and stakeholders’ objectives and priorities
• Recognised for their Sourcing expertise, providing specialist Sourcing advice. Introduce innovation, expertise and ideas to deliver Sourcing led competitive advantage
• Conduct regular competitor and supplier market watch assessments in the delivery of the optimal Total Cost of Ownership

Essential:

• Line management experience
• PA23 training completed or experience using
• Public Sector experience
• Experience leading and managing teams
• Solution driven, innovator, cost and value led
• Experience with cross-functional collaborative working methods
• Ability to use direct and indirect influencing strategies
• Demonstrable level of problem-solving experience and in large, complex organisations
• Significant Sourcing experience with a demonstrable track record of savings delivery within an infrastructure or engineering environment

Desirable:

• CIPS or MCIPS
• Detailed knowledge of the UK Rail Industry, including procurement processes in a reclassified environment

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Network Rail is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. They welcome applications from everyone.

Disability Confident

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, Network Rail guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

Network Rail guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".