At a Glance
- Tasks: Support contract management and ensure smooth operations through data analysis and stakeholder collaboration.
- Company: Join Network Rail, a vital player in the UK's transport sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and discounts on travel.
- Other info: 12-month fixed term contract with potential for extension or permanence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the railway while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Organised, detail-oriented, with strong analytical and administrative skills.
The predicted salary is between 26842 - 31264 £ per year.
Location: The Quadrant:MK, Milton Keynes, South East England
Salary: £26,842 - £31,264
Closing date: 7 Sep 2026
Sector: Transport and Logistics
Contract Type: Fixed term
Hours: Full Time
Who We Are:
At Network Rail, we are dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway. We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve.
Some of our great benefits:
- Generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
- Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered
- Generous annual leave up to 28 days plus statutory days (role dependant), with the option to buy/sell days
- Discounts at selected stations with your Network Rail pass
- Defined benefit pension scheme
- 75% off leisure train tickets for you and your dependents (subject to T&Cs)
- Interest-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets
- Volunteer leave to make a positive impact
About the role:
Duration: 12 month fixed term contract with the potential to be extended or made permanent. This role is based in The Quadrant: Milton Keynes. This role is a full-time opportunity, flexible working patterns will be considered. For this role, you must live within 75 minutes.
Band & Salary: Band 5 - £26,842.00 to £31,264.00 depending on skills and experience (Pro Rata)
Your experience and skills:
Engineering Services is a function within Route Services. We sit as a central team to provide national skills and activities which enable regions and industry partners to deliver the railway for our customers. As a large central functional team which focuses on engineering delivery, we have many roles, ranging from pure engineering to project management.
What does the average day look like?
No two days are the same, but you can expect to work closely with colleagues, customers and suppliers to help ensure goods and services are delivered efficiently and cost effectively. You'll spend time reviewing and reconciling transaction data, investigating queries, and maintaining strong supplier relationships to keep contracts running smoothly. A typical day could involve analysing data and producing reports for management, supporting the timely payment of suppliers, and helping business areas with commercial information. You'll also collaborate with the wider team to resolve issues, improve processes, and identify opportunities to increase quality, efficiency and value across the supply chain.
Who are we looking for?
We're looking for someone who is organised, detail-oriented and customer-focused, with strong administrative and analytical skills. You'll be confident working to deadlines, building positive relationships with a range of stakeholders, and using your commercial awareness to support effective business decisions.
- Proven ability to work to tight deadlines and mandated processes with a high level of accuracy
- Good administration and analytical skills
- Good Microsoft Excel skills
- Stakeholder management skills
- A customer focussed approach
Desirable:
- Contract support understanding
- Awareness of supply chain processes
- Compliance reporting
- Knowledge of internal auditing process ISO 9001
Contact: If you have any questions or reasonable adjustments, please contact RSResourcing@networkrail.co.uk
Closing date: Friday 21st August 2026. On occasions, we may need to close the advert early based upon application volumes. Late applications may not be accepted.
Next Steps: Interviews will be held W/C 07/09/2026, depending on business requirements. Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our Safety Vision. All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.
Contracts Assistant in Milton Keynes employer: ENGINEERINGUK
ENGINEERINGUK is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative work culture, allowing you to thrive as a Hybrid Brand Executive while contributing to a meaningful charity brand. With generous employee benefits such as 28 days of holiday, enhanced parental leave, and a robust pension scheme, you'll find ample opportunities for personal and professional growth in this dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracts Assistant in Milton Keynes
✨Connect with Local Logistic Groups
Dive into local transportation and logistics groups on platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn. Show up to their meetups if you can – it's a great way to network with industry pros who can share insights, job openings, or even refer you to their own company.
✨Get Behind the Wheel of Job Boards
Look for job boards specific to transportation and logistics, like Logistics Job Site or TransportJobs. These platforms often have listings that you won’t find on general job boards, so they’re worth checking out regularly!
✨Leverage Internships & Graduate Schemes
Many companies in transportation and logistics offer graduate schemes and internships that can pave the way to full-time positions. Don't shy away from applying; even a short stint can make a solid impact on your CV and get your foot in the door at companies like ENGINEERINGUK.
✨Apply Directly with Us!
When you find openings at great companies, make sure to apply directly through our website. It not only shows your initiative but also helps us to help you get noticed by ENGINEERINGUK. Every application gets us one step closer to landing that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Contracts Assistant in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're applying for a role in the transportation and logistics sector at ENGINEERINGUK, make sure to highlight any relevant experience. Whether it's moving goods, coordinating schedules, or using transportation management software, give us the lowdown on your past gigs. It'll paint a clearer picture of what you're capable of!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in logistics! If you've optimised routes, reduced delivery times, or improved customer satisfaction, mention those incredible stats in your CV. This gives us concrete evidence of your impact and showcases your problem-solving skills.
Tailor That Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a formality—let it breathe your personality and passion for logistics! Explain why you're excited about the role at ENGINEERINGUK and how you can contribute to our team. Don't forget to tie in specific skills or experiences that relate to the job description.
Research and Reflect:Before you hit 'submit,' spend some time digging into ENGINEERINGUK. Understand our mission, values, and the specific challenges in the logistics industry. This will help you craft a targeted application that shows you truly want to be part of our crew, setting you apart from the rest!
How to prepare for a job interview at ENGINEERINGUK
✨Know Your Logistics Basics
Get familiar with the key principles of transportation and logistics, like supply chain management, inventory control, and route optimisation. You might get asked practical questions about how to improve efficiency, so brush up on your problem-solving skills and be prepared to discuss any relevant software tools you've used.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In logistics, employers love to gauge how you'd handle real-life situations. Expect scenario-based questions where you’ll need to demonstrate your decision-making skills, like how to manage delays or coordinate shipments during a crisis. Practise outlining your thought process clearly and logically.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Experience
Full-time roles in logistics often require collaboration with various teams, so don't forget to showcase your teamwork experience. Think of examples where you've used communication and collaboration to ensure smooth operations, and get ready to elaborate on how you can facilitate teamwork in a busy environment like at ENGINEERINGUK.
✨Show Off Your Attention to Detail
In our world of logistics, missing a small detail can lead to big problems. Be prepared to discuss instances where your attention to detail saved the day, whether it was engaging with clients, managing documentation, or tracking shipments accurately. This will help demonstrate how you can be a reliable asset to ENGINEERINGUK.
