Finance Transition Manager (Procurement) in London

This role will play a pivotal part for incoming TOCs to the DFTO Group. There are two arms to the role, the first is focus on mobilisation and the other post transfer, both working alongside the Incoming TOCs, managing across all stages of the procurement process. Although this is a transition role, the role will report into the Head of Procurement & Contracts. The role supports the Director of Business Planning/ Integration and Group Procurement Director, including ad-hoc tasks. It underpins both DFTO's and the Procurement Directorate's Business Plan. In addition to TOCs, the role may be required to work with DfT, RNP, external stakeholders such as Network Rail, Crown Commercial Services, and other Government bodies.

Key Competencies

• Making Effective Decisions: Understand own level of responsibility and empower others to make decisions where appropriate. Analyse and use a range of relevant, credible information from internal and external sources to support decisions. Invite challenge and where appropriate involve others in decision making. Display confidence when making difficult decisions, even if they prove to be unpopular. Consult with others to ensure the potential impacts on end users have been considered. Present strong recommendations in a timely manner outlining the consideration of other options, costs, benefits, and risks.
• Working Together: Encourage joined up teamwork within own team and across other groups. Establish professional relationships with a range of stakeholders. Collaborate with these to share information, resources, and support. Invest time to develop a common focus and genuine positive team spirit where colleagues feel valued and respect one another. Put in place support for the wellbeing of individuals within the team, including consideration of your own needs. Make it clear to all team members that bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable. Actively seek and consider input of people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Seeing the Big Picture: Understand the strategic drivers for your area of work. Align activities to contribute to wider organisational priorities. Remain alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact your work area. Seek out and share experiences to develop knowledge of the team's business area. Understand how the strategies and activities of the team create value and meet the diverse needs of all stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the transition of TOCs into the public sector, this will involve analysing pipelines, existing contracts, and supporting TOC Procurement Departments to prepare for transition as per DFTO Transition Policy, providing access to public sector contracts and acting as a representative where required.
• Provision of support to procurement competitions which are already underway either within DFTO TOCs or within private sector TOCs which transition into DFTO while procurements are in flight including undertaking due diligence on commercial elements of transactions as required.
• Undertake procurement activities within TOCs post day 1 transition as well as completion of procurement activities that are already underway.
• Undertake various projects as requested by the Group Procurement Director and/or Head of Procurement & Contracts.
• To analyse a wide range of information, data, and market research in order to inform commercial options and decisions and input into the shaping of the business need in line with the procurement strategy.
• Assess and constructively challenge specifications to ensure that they are fit for purpose, and where appropriate have drawn from best practice/lessons learnt from previous contracts and/or similar contracts delivered.
• Manage procurement under a category style approach and challenge suppliers for additional opportunities and initiatives.
• Supporting the implementation of the DFTO procurement & commercial strategy through provision of support for the procurement aspects of transactions.
• Management of all aspects of group procurement activity undertaken by DFTO from notice to award including preparation and publication of notices, drafting of procurement documentation for individual competitions, participation in evaluation and negotiation and selection of the successful bidder and contributing to the development of business cases for governance bodies including DFTO, DfT, Cabinet Office and HMT.
• Work in collaboration with other Procurement Managers across TOCs to deliver better value for money across the estate, identifying and proposing efficiencies and innovations to reduce cost.
• Undertake procurement tasks on portfolio level universal contracts as required.
• Identify and develop commercial opportunities to secure additional, non-passenger related revenue across the DFTO and TOC supply chain to drive and add value, engaging with all internal and external group functions and stakeholders, including Network Rail where appropriate.
• Recommend preferred supplier and if appropriate submit and present recommendation to the Executive Board for approval.
• Prepare and issue guidance on how to undertake procurement activities including providing relevant training as may be required.
• Be the team's procurement experts on ad hoc matters as required.
• Act as a primary procurement contact for the business.
• Plan and manage resources and workload.

Other key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Planning and Delivery: the ability to create and implement an effective strategy and delivery plans for procurement activities.
• Analytical Skills: proficiency in analysing data to inform decision-making and strategy adjustments.
• Verbal and Written Communication: exceptional ability to articulate ideas clearly and concisely in both written and oral formats.
• Interpersonal Skills: strong ability to build and maintain relationships.
• Change Management: Promotes a culture that acknowledges the value of positive change and diversity; creates strategies to involve those who will be affected by planning and preparation and to support them through the change.
• Politically astute: recognise the demands of DFTO shareholders and the broader context of an evolving industry. Understand the objectives of relevant stakeholders within DFTO.
• Collaboration: fostering a collaborative environment both within DFTO's portfolio and across industry groups.
• Commercially aware: outputs focussed and budget sensitive. Drive value for money solutions to optimise outcomes for the taxpayer over the short and long term.
• Governance: Ensures corporate governance and compliance is maintained in the use of Procurement processes.
• Corporate Leadership: Work within the Procurement Directorates Governance and Assurance process and (where appropriate) support DFTO's business plan.
• Socially and culturally aware: consider the wider benefits for, and requirements of, our employees, customers and suppliers; and develop sustainable solutions for the communities that we interact with.
• Transparency: commitment to open and honest communication with stakeholders. Maintaining high ethical standards and building trust through consistent and reliable actions.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Technical Qualifications

The post holder must have a proven track‐record of success as a procurement manager in a public sector procurement environment. Extensive experience is specifically required in:

• At least five years successful track record in procurement.
• Expertise in the creation and running of competitive tenders and detailed contract negotiation.
• Ability to communicate /facilitate effectively with all levels of staff within the business and with external suppliers.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation including the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 & Procurement Regulations 2024.
• Preferable but not essential - CIPS Qualified or studying towards Professional Procurement qualification.

Vacancy Details

• Duration: Fixed Term until 31st October 2027 contract/secondment
• Location: London Waterloo
• Salary: up to €52,800
• Closing date: 24th April Month 2026

DFTO Benefits

• Annual Leave: Starting at 25 days and rising to an additional day per year of service completed within the first 5 completed years up to a maximum of 5 additional (30 days)
• DC Pension Scheme: 10% Employer contribution, 5% Employee contribution
• Opportunities to learn and network across the wider industry

Eligibility and EEO

We welcome applications from everyone! We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don't always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we'll do our best to help and invest in your career with us, whilst you have a healthy work life balance.