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Senior Category Buyer

Application Deadline: 28 March 2025

Department: Procurement

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Derby

Description

About us
Porterbrook is the UK's leading rolling stock financier and asset management company, and a partner that adds value to the railway today and for the future.

We've been at the heart of the rail network for over three decades and own a quarter of the national passenger rail fleet, with 4,000 vehicles in our diverse portfolio of passenger and freight rolling stock.

Porterbrook mobilises private finance to drive growth and deliver a safe, efficient and sustainable railway. Sustainability is embedded in our decision making, and we innovate to deliver greener and smarter rail solutions.

About the team

Our procurement team consists of specialists based in Derby and Long Marston. The team works closely with all departments in the procurement of goods and services, both engineering and non-engineering.

Key Responsibilities

Role Purpose
Responsible for supporting Category Managers in the sourcing of materials and services to support the category strategies underpinning the procurement requirements of the business. Ensuring that the best value for money is obtained, while adhering to the highest level of quality and supplier performance.

Acting as the interface between the engineering/project management function and the rest of the team, ensuring that all service levels are achieved, and issues/warranties are escalated in a timely manner. Developing an understanding of synergies that may exist across the different categories/fleets/projects across the business to ensure all procurements are achieving optimum efficiency.

Responsibilities
Implement Procurement categories strategies

1. Implement agreed category strategies for the procurement on key categories. These must be in line with the overall procurement strategy and will be delivered to provide the best value and quality for the business, ensuring that it remains in line with customers' requirements and with an eye on future innovations.
2. Be seen as the Procurement subject matter experts on their assigned categories, and the benefits they can deliver to the customer and end user.
3. Manage the end-to-end procurement process for categories, from RFP through to end supplier management, including, and not limited to:
4. Identify opportunities for new services through the use of innovative products to customers.
5. Support project managers with the warranty process, working with internal customers and external suppliers to resolve any disputed claims.
6. Support the management of Free Issue Materials (FIM) to ensure successful delivery into projects.
7. Where appropriate, track supplier performance against the contractual service level agreements, ensuring feedback from other functions is received and acted upon. Escalate any issues in a timely manner, both externally to the supplier and internally within the commercial function.

Developing the Procurement Function

1. Support the overall drive for cost efficiencies across the procurement function.
2. Support the development of procurement processes and systems.
3. Support the delivery of quality accreditations, including the ISO 20400 in sustainable procurement.
4. Work as part of the procurement function, supporting the development of the overall strategy and annual business plan.
5. Actively participate in any Porterbrook supplier events and engage in a programme to manage the relationships with all suppliers on a regular basis. This will be supported by the managing of KPIs across the supply base.
6. Support other functions (Finance/Commercial/Fleet) in the internal planning and budgeting for WLMP/FQP.

Supporting Business Objectives

1. Support the commercial and innovation processes with knowledge of relevant categories, how they are developing and the costs for implementation.
2. Support the project managers and other functions during the operational phase of a contract/project and be seen as the point of escalation for commercial issues with the supply base.

Other Duties

1. Work effectively with other functions/departments, often as part of cross-functional teams.
2. Operate in line with the organisation's values and behaviours.
3. Ensure that all products procured comply with all environmental, ethical and health and safety legislation.
4. Support both the function and business in the drive for continuous improvement.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

General Requirements

1. An individual who is a self-starter and is effective working either alone or as part of a team to complete the job to the highest level. Excellent technical knowledge/awareness of key railway sub-systems, along with knowledge of the latest digital and electronic systems and the future opportunities offered in these areas for rail is desirable.
2. Able to take a pragmatic approach to challenges, actively solve problems before they become issues and escalating at the right time. Experience of taking full accountability for the end to end procurement processes, with a track record in achieving quality results.
3. An ambitious and driven individual, with a track record in procurement. Experience of Oracle systems would be desirable.

Qualifications

1. Educated to degree or further education standard, preferably in either Engineering, Law, or Business Management.
2. An MCIPS, or better, qualification from the Chartered Institute of Procurement would be preferred (or working towards this).

Knowledge

1. Extensive procurement experience as a Senior Buyer, gained within an engineering environment.
2. Knowledge of railway industry rolling stock and components, essential.
3. Legal or commercial experience would be advantageous.
4. Track record of working to and exceeding KPIs.
5. Knowledge of Oracle-based systems.

Key Skills

1. Commercially astute with excellent understanding of contracting.
2. Well organised and experienced in working under pressure.
3. Experience of e-procurement systems (desirable).
4. Numerate with strong analytical skills.
5. Microsoft Excel skills at intermediate level.
6. Excellent oral and written communication skills.

A great place to work

We are seeking the very best talent to join the team, and offer an excellent salary, along with bonus and benefits.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a great organisation with excellent people and a road map for the future to grow and develop the business. Some of our benefits are listed below:

1. Excellent pension scheme.
2. Financial wellbeing support.
3. Flexible working.
4. Enhanced family friendly policies.
5. Adoption & Shared Parental Leave benefits.
6. Enhanced Armed Forces policies.
7. Ongoing support with professional and personal development.
8. Long service awards start at 1 year, with an additional day of annual leave every 5 years. You'll also receive a generous gift for these milestones.
9. Porterbrook Star awards.
10. Life assurance.
11. Healthcare cash plan.
12. 25 days' annual leave + Bank Holidays + option to buy and sell up to 5 days' additional leave.
13. Additional days annual leave for long service.
14. Season ticket loan.
15. Cycle to work scheme.
16. Free parking at our Derby and Long Marston sites.

Should you be suitable for the role, the full benefits package will be discussed in more detail during your screening call.

To apply

Please follow the link at the top of this page to send your CV and a covering email with full details of why you would be a great addition to the Porterbrook team, along with details of your current salary and notice period.

If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please let us know. We're committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone can develop to their full potential.

This vacancy may close at any time once sufficient applications have been received. Early submission of your application is therefore encouraged.

Please note we are not accepting approaches from recruitment agencies for this role.