Supply Chain Assistant - Part-time 21 hours per week - 12 month maternity cover

Network Rail; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 29,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Rail travel subsidies

Pension options

Flexible working

Job summary

Network Rail is seeking a part-time Supply Chain Assistant (21 hours per week) for 12 months at The Quadrant, Milton Keynes. The role sits in Route Services/SCO, supporting the movement of materials, services and shipments to keep projects on track.

You will work in a hybrid model, liaising with customers and suppliers, delivering data-driven insights and ensuring service levels. The role offers a structured development path with benefits and flexible working options.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent relevant work experience in supply chain or business management.
• Experience in internal sales and ERP systems (Oracle, SAP).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and data analysis.
• Customer service experience with ability to meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with supply chain stakeholders to resolve queries and deliver KPIs.
• Support operations to provide a full service to customers as per the service catalogue.
• Provide data, analysis and commentary for management reports.
• Propose and implement improvements using data analysis to drive efficiencies.
• Resolve customer and supplier queries within SLA and monitor trends.

Skills

Internal Sales

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Customer service

Deadlines

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Customer focus

Work under pressure

Communication skills

Supply chain awareness

Education

Degree or equivalent

Tools

Oracle

SAP

Job description

Supply Chain Assistant - Part-time 21 hours per week - 12 month maternity cover

IRC2366067

Who We Are

Join Our Team at Network Rail!

Are you ready to make a difference in people's lives? At Network Rail, we connect passengers and freight customers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country. We're an organisation where people truly matter, and when you join us, you matter to us and millions of others.

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.

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.

Investing in our people is key to enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our railway system. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact, then this opportunity is for you!

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

About the role

Route Services is a division of Network Rail that provides the Routes with services so they can help Network Rail deliver a better railway for a better Britain. We support the Routes with a myriad of services and supplies they need to maintain and operate the railway.

This role sits within Supply Chain Operations (SCO), an area of the business which supplies and delivers the logistics, materials, components, rail and road fleet that enable the maintenance and renewal of the railway.

SCO keeps the materials, machinery and components required by its customers moving - making sure they are on-site when needed so work can go ahead as planned and on schedule.

Working with us is More than a Salary

Vacancy type: Part-time (21 hours per week), 12 month secondment / fixed-term contract maternity cover (there may be the potential to extend or become permanent if the substantive post-holder decides not to return).

NB for internal applicants: Please note that secondments are subject to your line managers approval. Please discuss this opportunity with them before applying to avoid disappointment.

Location: This position is based at The Quadrant, Milton Keynes.

Hours: 35 hours per week with hybrid working and occasional travel as required.

Salary range: £27,798 - £29,048 per annum, depending on skills and experience.

Closing date: 10 November 2026. Late applicants will not be accepted. These roles are being advertised internally and externally.

You will need to complete a supporting statement addressing how you meet the essential criteria, please complete this as part of the application process and add this to your CV in one document. Applicants who do not complete this statement will not be shortlisted. Please see attached guide - How to complete Supporting Statement.

At Network Rail you will have a clear development path, access to training and enjoy a range of employee benefits, such as; up to 28 days annual leave, rail travel subsidies, a range of pension options, flexible and agile working arrangements, discounts on shopping, gym memberships and much more.

Below are some examples of adjustments we can make:

• Changing a provision, practice or 'the way things are done'
  For example, we can give candidates extra time to complete online, tasks or interviews as needed.
• Changing a physical feature of our workplace
  For example, office/room layout can be adapted to accommodate individual needs.
• Providing extra equipment or assistance
  For example, we can provide sign language interpreters and support workers where needed. Alternative document formats can be made available.

There are lots of other adjustments we can consider - please just ask!

The recruitment process will consist of shortlisted candidates being invited to take part in the following.

• Competency Based Interview

Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by phone or email.

You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.

***Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.****

Your experience and skills

What are the key accountabilities in this role?

• Develop and maintain effective relationships with all supply chain stakeholders (customers, suppliers, buyers) as needed to resolve customer and supplier queries, delivering supply chain KPIs.
• Support the wider operations team as required, to deliver a comprehensive service to customers as detailed in the service catalogue.
• Provide data, analysis and commentary for management reports.
• Propose and implement improvement activities and plans through the provision of data analysis and other subject matter expertise; report on improvement activities as required.
• Action and fully resolve customer and supplier queries to agreed processes and within SLA, monitor trends and collate data to support and identify supply chain improvements.
• Develop and maintain processes for areas of activity to improve team performance and maintain the ISO9001 accreditation.
• Using supply chain expertise and knowledge resolve complex queries by evaluating information and identifying the root cause.

What are the essential skills and experience we're looking for?

• Educated to degree level or equivalent relevant work experience e.g. Supply Chain, Business Management.
• Experience of Internal Sales, and Experience of ERP systems (e.g. ORACLE, SAP).
• Experienced Microsoft Office user.
• Experience within a customer service role.
• Proven ability to work to tight deadlines, maintaining high levels of accuracy.
• Good analytical and problem solving skills.
• Good interpersonal and relationship building skills.
• A customer focussed approach.
• Ability to work under pressure and a desire to improve processes and produce efficiencies.
• Good oral & written communication skills.
• Awareness of supply chain processes.

We would also like, but it's not essential:

• Railway knowledge.

Key Information

Number of Positions:

1

Contract Type:

Fixed-Term

Hours:

Part Time

Location:

The Quadrant:MK, Milton Keynes

Geographical Area:

South East England (Not inside M25)

Closing Date:

10-NOV-2026

Job Category:

Business, Commercial and Project Management

Function:

Route Services

Asset:

SCO - Supply Chain Services

Organisation:

NJ Infrastructure Materials & Operations (618714) G2