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This role plays an essential role in the Southeastern Procurement team. The team are responsible for all purchasing requirements for the organisation and support a wide range of functions from purchase order creation, supplier management, tendering, contract and commercial support and have a brilliant record or delivering value through savings, improved contracts and supply chain efficiencies.

The purpose of this role is to provide support to deliver UCR compliant procurement activities within the indirect categories of Commercial, Communications, IT, and Corporate Services (Finance, HR, Safety, general office and vehicle services) as well as maintaining or re-procuring associated indirect frameworks. The role will also be responsible for overseeing Oracle P2P activities/administration and managing tailspend solutions (e.g. Amazon Business). The successful applicant will be responsible for delivering high quality tenders, providing contract and commercial support to stakeholders, supplier management and delivering value through savings, improved contracts and supply chain efficiencies.

The role incorporates leading and managing up to 3 direct reports across the purchasing and administration team, including providing any planned or ad hoc cover. In addition, the role may require deputising for the Indirect Procurement Lead.

You will have a number of key responsibilities in this role that will include but not be limited to:

• Complete responsibility for the entire tender process with the Indirect categories for new requirements, negotiating extensions or renegotiations whilst complying with UCR16. As part of this requirement, propose contract award recommendations for internal approval.
• Proposing appropriate terms and conditions and drafting amendment to Southeastern or standard form terms and conditions for purchasing/procurement requirements.
• Working with contract managers to develop procurement strategies and 12-24 month project pipelines across select Indirect categories and determine technical specifications.
• Working with internal stakeholders to ensure goods & services are appropriately specified and KPIs are developed for contracts.
• Regularly updating the Procurement Information Manager with project progress, contract status and submitting signed documentation/contracts for archiving.
• Managing the Support team (Purchasing and Administration) of 3 direct reports to ensure high performance and delivery to agreed timescales.
• Overseeing Oracle, Equinox and Amazon Business (or similar) to offer stakeholder and Support team guidance, manuals and undertaking ad hoc audits.
• Effectively communicating and engaging stakeholders throughout the procurement process.
• Advising and assisting internal stakeholders on the procurement procedures, processes, business cases and governance.
• Undertaking market research and developing new or existing suppliers to better meet the operational needs of the business in the infrastructure area, including promotion of sustainable organisations and small/medium sizes enterprises.
• Liaising with Finance Business Partners to ascertain project budgets and authorisations for new contracts.
• Offering ad hoc support of associated business/industry initiatives such as cross-organisation tendering, contract negotiations or supply chain management.
• Assisting the Procurement team in developing and delivering necessary Forums to share knowledge, information or best practice with the organisation – specifically across the Corporate Services category.
• Support and contribute towards company Social Value objectives, targets and initiatives.
• Ensuring that all contracts which involve supplier’s working on Southeastern sites have appropriate contractual health and safety documentation.

To be successful for this role, candidates need to demonstrate the below in their application:

• Be a qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (MCIPS) – or equivalent transferrable degree or professional qualification.
• A minimum of four years of working in an accountable role in either a procurement, commercial or contract management environment.
• Working knowledge of contract law, government legislation and UCR regulations.
• Comprehensive understanding and experience of procure to pay (P2P) systems and processes
• Some experience of contract management (i.e. post contract)
• Good understanding of contractual documentation and governance requirements
• Good understand of e-tendering systems/tools
• Very good stakeholder management skills and experience
• Proficient experience of supply chain planning and producing associated reports.
• E-tendering tools experience and knowledge.
• The ability to work effectively at management level within Southeastern, liaising with senior managers and across supplier directors.
• The ability to express oneself confidently, honestly and effectively.
• Proven influencing and problem-solving skills.
• Commercial awareness.
• Good IT skills including use of Microsoft suite (Excel, Word & Powerpoint)
• Well-developed report writing skills

About Southeastern

Southeastern runs train services into London from Kent and East Sussex, operating almost 1,700 trains a day, carrying more than 400,000 passengers, serving 176 stations and covering 540 miles of track.

Just over 4,600 employees - mostly from the communities that we serve - work together to provide this vital service and we are looking to expand our successful team. We have a strong set of values that shape the way we run our business and guide our staff in delivering what our customers need. These are:

• We aim to be the best
• We make the difference together
• We care passionately about our people and our passengers

We are committed to being an inclusive employer, creating a workplace where everyone can come to work, feel safe and comfortable and able to do everything to the best of their ability. Read about some of the great Diversity and Inclusion initiatives our Head of Colleague Experience has been leading on here.

We recognise the positive value of diversity and it matters to us that our teams reflect the communities we serve. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

We proud to be a WORK180 Endorsed Employer for Women. If you would like to know more information about how we are supporting our employees, you can view our policies and initiatives here.

We have also won the Top Employer award at the Women in Rail Awards 2022!

If you have been unsuccessful in the recruitment process for the same/similar position you will not be eligible to apply for a period of 6 months from that date.

All offers of employment are subject to us obtaining satisfactory references (covering all education, training, employment and unemployment in the preceding 5 years and any previous railway employment). We will also complete right to work in the UK and criminal record checks. This is to ensure we are employing the best person for the role and to protect our customers, colleagues and our reputation. We are unable to offer sponsorship to work in the UK.

This post will close before the intended closing date should sufficient number of suitable applications be received. Therefore, if you are interested in applying for this role, we suggest that you do so at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment.

SOUTHEASTERN is owned by SE Trains Ltd, a subsidiary of the Department for Transport’s public sector owning group, ‘DOHL.’ DOHL has responsibility for three rail companies, LNER, Northern Trains Limited and SE Trains.

Southeastern recognises the value of every individual employee and offers benefits that reflect this.

As well as a generous salary, we offer an comprehensive benefits package which includes;

• A Contributory Final Salary Pension Scheme
• Free rail travel on Southeastern and GTR rail services (extends to family members for leisure/educational travel)
• After a qualifying period, reduced rate travel on other train operators, including European services
• Up to 25 days annual leave entitlement (plus bank holidays)
• Private healthcare
• Access to an array of discounts for retail and leisure products through our benefits scheme.
• Family friendly benefits including enhanced maternity/paternity leave, parental leave and carers leave.