Purchase Manager jobs in United Kingdom

About Network Rail...

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. Click here to learn more.

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

Duration: Permanent (2 x positions available)

Location: This role is based in The Quadrant MK with potential to be based in Birmingham New Street or Manchester Square One. 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 - £65,966

Who are we looking for? We are looking for a commercially astute and driven Sourcing Manager to join our Procurement team at Network Rail. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in strategic sourcing and supplier management, with a proven ability to deliver value and ensure compliance across complex procurement projects. Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills are essential, along with a good understanding of public sector procurement regulations.

Are you a sourcing superstar? If so, we want you!

We are looking for dynamic procurement professionals to join our team, leading high value and complex sourcing projects.

If you love to engage with your customers, thrive on using your own initiative, have great people skills and are passionate about making a difference, please read on.

We are committed to working with our customers and the supply chain to procure and manage great commercial solutions that deliver value for passengers.

Our team leads exciting infrastructure related sourcing projects including building and civils, structural design and engineering projects, professional consultancy, lifts & escalators, property, decarbonisation, property development schemes, personal protective equipment, ecological services, drones, helicopters, waste management, security services and specialist rail plant. All of which supports our vision to Putting Passengers First by keeping our rail infrastructure operational.

Our team is one of 6 sourcing teams as part of the Route Services Commercial and Procurement team. We are a team of 20, with a great team ethos of supporting and developing each other. We enjoy regular team events together combining an element of learning as well as enjoying each other’s company.

You’ll work closely with your customers and our business experts to undertake pre‑market engagement with the supply chain, draft sourcing strategies and tender documentation. You’ll be the expert leading the sourcing project, undertake complex commercial evaluations, including using your professional knowledge to lead negotiations with suppliers. You will have excellent communications skills, both written and verbal, be proactive, have in depth experience of the end‑to‑end procurement process, be happy to challenge and be challenged and be prepared to go above and beyond to support our customers.

Understanding your customer’s needs will put you in the best place to identify the optimum strategic direction and put in place contracting strategies that embrace change, innovation and creative thinking. We want you to bring us new ideas to help us:

• Improve safety – everyone home safe every day;
• Be more sustainable.
• Be more efficient – financially and programme management.
• Introduce innovation from our supply chain;
• Provide creative contracting strategies.

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

As a Sourcing Manager at Network Rail, no two days are the same. You’ll lead complex, high‑value sourcing projects – particularly across indirect procurement – from shaping business requirements through to contract signature, ensuring we deliver meaningful commercial outcomes. Working closely with stakeholders across functions and regions, you’ll implement category strategies, negotiate contracts, and drive innovation to solve business challenges through the supply market. You’ll also manage risk and governance in a regulated environment, support the smooth handover to supplier management teams, and contribute to continuous improvement across the sourcing function. With a strong focus on collaboration, inclusion, and delivering value beyond expectation, your work will help us unlock savings and build a more efficient, effective railway for everyone.

• Deep level of Sourcing experience, with a demonstrable track record of savings delivery
• Demonstrable level of negotiation and dispute resolution skill set
• Demonstrable experience of contract law and financial management
• Demonstrable experience of driving value from complex sourcing opportunities
• Experienced with agile cross‑functional collaborative working methods
• Politically savvy, with the proven ability to use direct and indirect influencing strategies
• Demonstrable level of problem‑solving experience of complex sourcing specific challenges
• Completer finisher mindset

Please see attached job description for full details.

• Has an understanding of public sector procurement legislation.
• Experience in delivering multi‑million pound procurement projects (over £10m).
• Line management experience.
• Is a member of the chartered institute of Purchasing & Supply.

Additional Information...

28th January. On occasions, we may need to close the advert early based upon application volumes. Late applications may not be accepted.

Interviews will be held W/C 2nd February depending on business requirements. Please note: the interview process will consist of 3 elements, should you be successful, including:

1. Brief Teams call to understand your alignment to the role;
2. A) Competency test and B) formal interview (2A and 2B stages will take place on the same day).

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

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre‑employment checks. Click here for more information.

• 🌍 Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered.
• 🌞 Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days), with the option to buy/sell days.
• 🎁 Discounts at stations with your Network Rail pass.
• Defined benefit pension scheme
• 🚂 75% subsidy on train tickets.
• 🎟 Interest‑free travel loan for train and car park season tickets.
• 🕊 Volunteer leave to make a positive impact.
• Plus more....