At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape procurement strategies for London's transport network and lead major sourcing exercises.
- Company: Join TfL, a key player in London's transport infrastructure.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, free travel, 30 days leave, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Diverse team culture committed to equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on London's transport while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial or procurement roles with strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 23735 - 29009 £ per year.
Salary: Circa £60,000
Grade: Band 3
Contract type: TfL
Reference: 4582
Team: Procurement and Commercial
Contract details: Perm
Location: Palestra/Hybrid
All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory right‑to‑work checks. Candidates must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK. At the present time TfL is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Hybrid working within this role enables a balance of 50 per cent of time split between the office and home over a 4-week period. Hybrid working arrangements can evolve subject to business requirements.
Help Shape the Contracts Behind London's Transport Network
At TfL, we're responsible for one of the world's largest and most complex integrated transport networks. Every day, millions of people rely on our services to keep London moving, and behind every successful project, programme and service is a strong commercial function delivering value, innovation and commercial excellence. We're looking for experienced Commercial Managers with a focus on the Procurement Planning to Contract Award stage to join our Procurement & Commercial team and play a key role in shaping the procurement strategies that support major infrastructure and operations across London.
This is an opportunity for commercially minded, procurement and sourcing professionals who enjoy influencing strategic decision-making, leading complex procurements and delivering value from the very start of the commercial lifecycle.
Why Join TfL?
Be at the forefront of some of London's most ambitious infrastructure programmes or the beating heart of TfL’s complex operational networks, ensuring our critical supply chain delivers for our city. As a Pre-Contract Commercial Manager, you'll shape the commercial strategy from developing procurement approaches and influencing investment decisions to leading major sourcing exercises worth millions of pounds. You'll play a critical role in ensuring TfL secures the right partners, at the right value, to keep London moving. This isn't just procurement. You'll work alongside senior stakeholders, challenge thinking, influence outcomes and help deliver projects that millions of Londoners rely on every day. If you're passionate about strategic sourcing, negotiation and driving value from the outset, this is your opportunity to leave a lasting mark on one of the world's most iconic transport networks.
Our Procurement and Commercial (P&C) function is far-reaching and diverse, supporting all areas of TfL programmes and operations. We have recently stood up our Category lead structure, bringing together activities that help us harness the best value for money and develop our people. That makes it a great time to join us and help shape our category approaches and secure great outcomes.
What You’ll Be Doing
Working within one of our pre-contract teams, you'll help define and deliver procurement strategies for some of TfL's most significant contracts and frameworks. Your responsibilities will include:
- Developing category and sourcing strategies aligned to business objectives.
- Leading complex end-to-end procurement exercises and competitive tender processes.
- Advising stakeholders on commercial models, procurement routes and contracting strategies.
- Building business cases and supporting investment decisions.
- Working closely with technical, operational, legal and finance teams to understand business requirements.
- Evaluating supplier markets and identifying opportunities for innovation and value creation.
- Negotiating commercial agreements and managing contract award activities.
- Ensuring compliance with public sector procurement regulations and governance requirements.
About You
You'll bring:
- Significant commercial, procurement or sourcing experience.
- A track record of delivering complex procurements within infrastructure, transport, engineering, utilities or other highly regulated environments.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
- Excellent commercial judgement and negotiation capability.
- Experience developing sourcing strategies and driving value-for-money outcomes.
- The confidence to engage and challenge senior stakeholders while delivering commercial solutions.
About The Different Areas
We are looking for people to join our team with your first assignment being in one of the following areas. This is subject to change depending on business need.
- Rolling Stock: The Rolling Stock Team leads upon procurement and commercial activities for the end-to-end Rolling Stock Asset lifecycle: Acquisition, Maintenance, Renewals and disposal of TfL’s Rolling Stock. We work across London Underground, DLR, Elizabeth line, Trams, Engineering Vehicles and London Overground modes.
- Highways & Utilities: The Highways & Utilities team lead commercial activity for the delivery of critical transport infrastructure, utility services and decarbonisation programmes. We support the operation of and future development of London’s transport network.
- Corporate Services: The Corporate Services team manages a diverse supplier base ranging from multinational consultancies and media agencies to social enterprises, charities, facilities management providers and specialist service organisations. The team supports both TfL operations and wider public-sector priorities.
- Construction & Programmes: The Construction & Programmes Teams lead the procurement, commercial and contract management activities for major infrastructure, station, depot and investment construction programmes. Experience in construction and NEC contracts is required in this area.
- Category Delivery: Category Delivery Services are agile procurement delivery teams, providing fast, practical commercial support for critical and urgent business requirements. We work across a diverse portfolio of projects across multiple categories, delivering procurement solutions and short-term contract management that help teams achieve their objectives quickly, compliantly and efficiently.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and aim to reflect the diverse communities we serve. We believe that a diverse workforce enables us to deliver better services and outcomes. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled people. As part of the Disability Confident scheme, we aim to offer an assessment or interview to candidates who apply via the scheme where the minimum essential criteria for skills, knowledge and experience has been met.
In some circumstances, it may not be practical to offer an interview or assessment to every candidate who applies through the scheme and meets the minimum essential criteria; in these situations, we select candidates who best meet the minimum criteria for the job rather than interviewing all who meet them. Across all recruitment activity, we recognise that selection methods may vary depending on the nature and scale of the campaign and will be applied fairly, consistently and proportionately in line with our Disability Confident commitments.
Benefits
In return for your commitment and expertise, you will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow. Rewards vary according to the level of role but mostly include the below:
- Final salary pension scheme
- Free travel for you on the TfL network
- Reimbursement of 75% of the cost of a standard class Ticket for National Rail travel from home
- 30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays
- TfL is committed to work-life balance, operating a hybrid working approach where business and role requirements allow
- Private healthcare discounted scheme
- Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
- Retail, health, leisure and travel offers
- Discounted Eurostar travel
We will make every effort to give you as much notice as possible, however some interviews/assessments could be organised at short notice.
Vetting Process
At Transport for London, safety, trust and fairness sit at the heart of how we recruit. Our Vetting Charter explains the checks we carry out before you join us, helping ensure we create a safe, inclusive and reliable network for everyone who depends on our services. We simply ask that the information you provide is honest and accurate so we can progress your application smoothly. If something doesn’t match or can’t be verified, we may not be able to move forward with your application, but we’ll always treat you with transparency, respect, and clear communication throughout.
Commercial Manager - P&C Pre-Contract employer: Future of London
Transport for London (TfL) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and inclusivity. With a strong commitment to employee growth, TfL provides opportunities for professional development while ensuring a healthy work-life balance through hybrid working arrangements. Employees enjoy generous benefits, including free travel on the TfL network, a final salary pension scheme, and a focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion, making it a rewarding place to build a meaningful career in the heart of London.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Manager - P&C Pre-Contract
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Future of London.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Manager - P&C Pre-Contract
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Future of London:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Future of London. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Future of London.
How to prepare for a job interview at Future of London
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Future of London!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Future of London. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Future of London's culture.
