Buyer

The Commercial function provides commercial and procurement capability across the programme lifecycle, including strategy (setting the commercial strategy and advising risk allocation underpinning the delivery strategy), delivering procurement activities for the goods and services required to deliver the asset and run EWR Co, and delivering contract management services for the complex network of suppliers supporting EWR Co. Across all three of these domains the commercial function will run governance and reporting to measure compliance and provide commercial assurance.

The Buyer will work collaboratively with relevant customers and stakeholders to create and deliver compliant and demonstratable value for money outcomes. Additionally, the Buyer will support the members of the wider team as required, assisting with above threshold and/or medium risk procurements, providing administrative support and general assistance across complex spend categories.

This role will work within the Procurement and wider Commercial Team at EWR Co, reporting to the Head of Services and Supplies. Predominantly, the Buyer role will lead the procurement of a high volume of tactical, below threshold procurement activities, critical to the daily operations of the business.

• Develop and manage the procurement process from business requirement to contract signature, on behalf of key customers and stakeholders, for below threshold and/or low business risk opportunities, to create and deliver significant commercial and contractual value.
• Act as a role model for EWR Co’s vision and behaviours, working in ways that are aligned with EWR Co’s Ways of Working, as well as encouraging and supporting others to do so too.
• Demand manage and identify customer and stakeholder common procurement requirements to maximise overall company-wide commercial value.
• Take responsibility of your own and others’ health and safety by adopting and working to the EWR Co Health and Safety principles.
• Support the relevant Procurement/Category Manager to develop and manage the procurement process from business requirement to contract signature, on behalf of key customers and stakeholders, for above threshold and/or medium cost and business risk opportunities.
• Facilitate the transition of procurement led execution to Contract Management, to manage a seamless customer experience from business requirement through to post contract signature and position the Contract Management team to optimise their delivery of full contractual and relationship value.
• Apply the relevant internal guidance and processes for procurement led opportunities below threshold to manage all risk, governance, legislative and regulatory requirements, validated by the relevant Assurance lead, either the Procurement/Category Manager or the Head of Procurement.
• Support the administration and continual development of the Procurement Pipeline ensuring information on procurement activity is continually kept up to date.

Exceptional IT tools

• Strong project management and stakeholder management skills.
• Good communication, relationship management and presentation skills.
• Experience of e-Sourcing tools would be beneficial but not essential.
• Public sector procurement experience is an advantage but not a ‘must have’, including knowledge and understanding of public sector frameworks such as Crown Commercial Service frameworks.
• Ability to manage a high case load of different procurement activities and prioritise effectively to meet the needs of the business.
• Strong interpersonal skills, possessing the ability to interact and maintain credibility with colleagues.
• Excellent written and spoken communications skills.
• Experience in a purchasing / buyer role able to demonstrate strong analytical skills and ability to identify and apply relevant policy and procedures
• Ability to work autonomously.
• Efficient administrator with excellent attention to detail.
• Demonstrates a cost-conscious mindset, keeping taxpayers’ money at the forefront of decisions.

Enhanced family-friendly policies

Up to 12% employer’s pension contribution

Competitive base salary

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

We are open to secondments through the Rail Industry Talent Exchange Programme.

Access to a range of benefits on the Perkbox platform

Advanced learning and development programmes

36 days holiday a year (including bank holidays) + up to 2 days to buy

Great work-life balance and flexible working opportunities

Employee Assistance Programme

Life assurance