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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic supplier relationships and manage supply chain risks for public rail operations.
- Company: Join DFTO, the government’s public sector rail owning group, shaping the future of UK railways.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, a generous pension scheme, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the UK's rail system while developing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in supply chain risk management and strong stakeholder engagement skills required.
- Other info: Flexible working options available to support your work-life balance.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 84000 £ per year.
About DFTO
DFTO is the government's public sector rail owning group. Its purpose is to bring all currently privately-owned train operators into public ownership in advance of the creation of Great British Railways in 2027 – and deliver improvements by unifying and integrating train operations under common public ownership. DFTO has over 23,000 employees, runs over 6,000 services a day and delivers over 450 million customer journeys across its networks every year. This accounts for 26% of total UK passenger journeys and 30% of passenger miles. Major improvements are being delivered by DFTO train operators (TOCs) that are already under public ownership – these are LNER, Northern, TransPennine Express (TPE), Southeastern, South Western Railway (SWR), c2c and Greater Anglia.
Primary Purpose Of Job
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced strategic supply chain risk and relationship manager to work within the DFTO group procurement function. This role is one of two that will operate within the Group procurement team and across DFTO train operators, supporting category & TOC relationships. Reporting to the Head of Commercial Governance and Assurance, the purpose of this newly created role is to support DFTO group procurement as part of the railway public ownership program to strategically develop central supplier relationship and risk management strategies across DFTO and our Train operators.
Key Responsibilities
- Developing and implementing strategies to understand and ensure the resilience and efficiency of third-party supply chains.
- Developing and facilitating tools to manage and mitigate supply chain risk.
- Supporting strategically important supplier relationships to meet the policy requirements, provide value for money and align with the wider industry strategic context.
- Creating and delivering a robust commercially focused performance management framework for key suppliers.
- Supporting collaborative relationships to build clear lines of communication and coordination between DFTO and its suppliers.
Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Technical Qualifications
The post holder must have significant experience in the management of strategic supply chain risk or contract/SRM management with proper regard to the contract and the commercial obligations set out, and ideally a proven track-record of success of managing and negotiating with internal and external stakeholders and of driving out increased performance and value whilst managing risk; with extensive experience specifically required in:
- Strategy And Policy Development
- Risk And Assurance Management
- Commercial Ethics
- Build Relationships
Vacancy Details
- Duration: 2 year Fixed Term contract/secondment
- Location: London Waterloo
- Salary: up to £70,000
- Closing date: 3rd February 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.
If you have any questions or reasonable adjustments, please contact jason.blakemore@dftoperator.co.uk.
Senior Supplier Relationship Manager in London employer: DfT Operator
Contact Detail:
DfT Operator Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Supplier Relationship Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at DFTO on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching DFTO's recent projects and initiatives. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role but also in how you can contribute to their mission of public ownership and improving rail services.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your STAR technique for answering competency questions. We want to hear about your past experiences in managing supplier relationships and risk management, so be ready to share specific examples!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your enthusiasm for the role can leave a lasting impression. Plus, it shows us that you’re genuinely interested in joining the team!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Supplier Relationship Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in strategic supply chain risk management. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Skills: Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to develop and implement supplier relationship management strategies. We love seeing real-life applications of your skills, so be detailed about your past successes!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This helps us quickly see why you’re a great fit for the role!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the position. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at DfT Operator
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into DFTO's mission and recent developments in the rail industry. Understanding their goals, especially around public ownership and supply chain management, will show that you're genuinely interested and prepared.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully managed supplier relationships or mitigated risks. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your achievements.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since this role involves a lot of collaboration, think about how you can demonstrate your ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders. Prepare anecdotes that illustrate your communication skills and how you've built strong relationships in previous positions.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your understanding of the role and the challenges DFTO faces. This could include inquiries about their current supplier management strategies or how they plan to enhance operational efficiency under public ownership.
