Assistant Category Manager

Assistant Category Manager Application Deadline: 31 May 2024Department: DeliveryEmployment Type: Full TimeLocation: Milton KeynesDescription
A little bit about us:East West Rail is an infrastructure programme linking communities between Oxford and Cambridge. The area is currently let down by a lack of transport choices, and we have a once in a generation opportunity to fix that – improving prosperity for people and places along the way.
East West Railway Company (that’s us) was created by the Department for Transport (DfT) to oversee the delivery of East West Rail from construction through to wheels in motion, making sure the railway comes together in the right way.
Role Summary:The successful candidate will join a category management team split into defined categories and will support on the Construction category, providing strategic and pre-award support across all category stakeholders within East West Rail.
They will support the Category Manager (Construction & Engineering) and the Head of Category Management in ensuring that robust processes are in place over the Commercial affairs of East West Rail, and that procurement projects are successfully delivered to support the Company’s aims and objectives.
They will support the management and coordination of the Construction category through leading on all commercial activities under £10m and supporting on all commercial activities over £10m. This includes supporting the development of a category strategy and keeping the strategy up to date, being the Procurement point of contact for the Construction team and leading all Construction procurement events under £10m. The role is closely linked with Engineering and so support on Engineering team tenders may be required from time to time.
Team dimensions:East West Rail operates a matrix structure. This role sits within the Procurement Community, as part of the Commercial Professional HomeKey Responsibilities
Engage with internal stakeholders to build close, trusted relationships and to ensure a complete understanding on upcoming requirements in the Construction category space, shown through ensuring the Procurement Pipeline is kept up to date
Lead on producing the strategic approach to delivering procurement requirements under £10m and similarly supporting on over £10mrequirements,to ensure optimum results in terms of benefits, compliance and value for money
Monitor relevant supplier markets and identify opportunities resulting from market innovation /or market shifts
Support and influence business strategy at the defining requirements stage, and lead on all resulting commercial activities under £10m, including market engagement, development of tender documentation, drafting contracts, supplier feedback and other standard activities
Support creating a category strategy, building a business case for efficiency initiatives that can be implemented across East West Rail to improve any commercial aspects of the business. In doing this, the Procurement team add value to EWR Co outside of tendering.
Ensure that risks are identified and that mitigation actions are defined and managed at both category and procurement strategy levels
Act as a role model for EWR Co’s vision and values, behaving in ways that are in alignment with EWR Co’s ways of working, encouraging and supporting others
Promote equality in the workplace and adopt appropriate behaviour when interacting with colleagues
Skills, Knowledge and ExpertiseAt least 3 years’ experience in procurement / category management, ideally within a regulated business and / or within the UK rail industry
Experience in managing large value construction procurements via NEC contracts
Knowledge of procurement processes, including relevant regulatory requirements (e.g. OJEU / FTS and Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016)
Public sector procurement experience is an advantage, including knowledge and understanding of Crown Commercial Service frameworks
Strong financial and commercial acumen
Excellent communication, relationship management and presentation skills
Demonstrable negotiation and conflict resolution skills
Strong ability to engage and manage stakeholders
Experience in driving innovation and change
UK rail industry and/or capital programme knowledge and experience is an advantage
Ability to work autonomously
Strong people skills and ability to work effectively as part of a team
Benefits
What we offer:
Competitive base salary
Up to 12% employer’s pension contribution
36 days holiday a year (including bank holidays) + up to 2 days to buy
Life assurance
Employee Assistance Programme
Perks platform with hundreds of discounts and freebies
On-the-spot and annual awards
Advanced learning and development programmes
Flexible working opportunities
Enhanced family-friendly policies
Exceptional IT tools
EWR Co strives to embrace a flexible working environment, where a degree of flexibility is maintained to accommodate both the needs and preferences of employees and what is required to achieve business objectives. EWR Co will always work with any individual to assess and accommodate an individual’s work life balance and style.Diversity and inclusion:To discover the best solutions, it’s important we embrace diversity of thought. That’s why we aim to ensure our colleagues feel included, engaged, and valued. Inclusiveness is not a buzzword, but a way of being. Our approach to diversity is simple – a workplace where everyone is welcome, and everyone is encouraged to be themselves. It helps fuel our innovation and connects us with the customers and communities we serve.
If you want to connect lives and unlock the future, then we’d love to hear from you
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