Supplier Manager (SRM)

Network Rail; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 56,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Maternity/Paternity/Adoption leave

Flexible/hybrid working

28 days annual leave

Station discounts

Pension scheme

Train ticket discounts

Travel loan

Volunteer leave

Job summary

Network Rail is seeking a collaborative Supplier Relationship Manager to lead strategic supplier relationships and drive improvements across commercial and procurement functions. You will work with key stakeholders to develop joint account plans and deliver value beyond contracts.

The role requires strong negotiation, contract, and financial management skills, with experience influencing executive-level stakeholders in a complex environment. Hybrid working arrangements are considered.

Qualifications

• Educated to a Business or Economics degree standard or equivalent business experience.
• Deep procurement experience, including Supplier Management.
• Demonstrable experience of contract law and financial management.
• Demonstrable negotiation and dispute resolution skill set.
• Experience driving value from complex supplier contracts and relationships.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of strategic supplier relationships as SRM Lead across Network Rail teams.
• Develop joint account plans with suppliers and drive improvements beyond the contract.
• Collaborate with Commercial & Procurement to support joined-up supplier management.
• Engage stakeholders across routes/regions and influence senior executives for outcomes.
• Guide teams to apply structured processes and tools for value creation.

Skills

Supplier management

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Contract understanding

Commercial mindset

Influencing executives

Problem solving

Education

Business or Economics degree

Job description

Join Network Rail - Where People and Connections Matter

At Network Rail, we're dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you're not just part of a team - you're part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway.

We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To discover more about our ED&I commitments.

We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process. You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support.

If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!

Some of our great benefits:

• We offer generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave to support our employees during significant life moments
• Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered
• Generous annual leave up to 28 days plus statutory days (role dependant), with the option to buy/sell days
• Discounts at selected stations with your Network Rail pass
• Defined benefit pension scheme
• 75% off leisure train tickets for you and your dependents (subject to T&Cs)
• Interest‑free travel loan for train and car park season tickets
• Volunteer leave to make a positive impact

Location: This role is based in The Quadrant Milton Keynes with the potential to be based in London Enterprise House. This role is a full-time opportunity; flexible working patterns will be considered. For Quadrant:MK, you must live within 90 minutes.

Band & Salary: Band 3C £55,596 - £67,813

About the role

What does the average day look like?

On a typical day, you'll be managing a portfolio of strategic supplier relationships and acting as the Supplier Relationship Manager (SRM) Lead across Network Rail stakeholder teams. You'll work closely with suppliers to develop joint account plans, foster innovation, and drive improvements that go beyond the original contract. You'll also collaborate with colleagues across the Commercial & Procurement team to support joined up supplier management. Collaboration will be at the heart of your role. You'll be engaging stakeholders across different routes and regions, supporting the development of others and guiding teams to achieve effective outcomes through the application of structured processes, tools and outcome‑focused interactions. You'll also play a key part in influencing continuous improvement through your engagement with senior Executive level stakeholders.

About the team..

You'll be joining a supportive and collaborative Commercial & Procurement team that plays a key role in keeping Britain's railways running efficiently and safely. We work closely with a wide range of stakeholders across the business to deliver value for money, ensure compliance, and support strategic objectives. It's a fast‑paced and dynamic environment where your ideas are valued, and professional development is encouraged.

And hear what some of our brilliant team members think about Network Rail in

this video

Your experience and skills

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a collaborative and commercially minded Supplier Manager (SRM) to help us get the best from our key supplier relationships. The ideal candidate will be highly self‑motivated and have experience managing and influencing senior stakeholders, driving continuous improvement, innovation and working collaboratively internally & externally to deliver strategic outcomes. You will be confident working with stakeholders in a complex environment, able to be impactful at all levels, and committed to supporting Network Rail's mission of delivering a simpler, better, greener railway.

• Educated to a Business or Economics degree standard or equivalent business experience
• Deep level of Procurement experience, to include Supplier Management
• Demonstrable experience of contract law and financial management
• Demonstrable level of negotiation and dispute resolution skill set
• Demonstrable experience of driving value from complex supplier contracts and relationships
• Ability to deliver defined relationship and commercial value and deliver continuous improvement value
• Experienced with agile cross‑functional collaborative working methods
• Politically savvy, with the proven ability to use direct and indirect influencing strategies at an executive level
• Demonstrable level of problem‑solving experience of complex supplier specific challenges
• Completer finisher mindset

Please see attached job description for full details.

Desirable Criteria

• Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) experience, including development of joint business plans and evidencing delivery of value beyond the contract
• Demonstrable experience in developing and managing contract‑aligned continuous improvement activities, innovation pipeline assessments, and annual relationship surveys
• Demonstrable experience of applying governance and risk management frameworks to supplier contracts and relationships
• Experience collaborating with teams in a complex environment to deliver strategic outcomes
• Detailed knowledge of the UK Rail Industry, including procurement processes in a reclassified environment.

Additional Information...

Closing date: 4 th November. On occasions, we may need to close the advert early based upon application volumes. Late applications may not be accepted.

Next Steps: First stage competency based interview W/C 9 th November (depending on business requirements), with a potential 2 nd stage in person interview.

Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our Safety Vision

Business, Commercial and Project Management