Location: Newton Aycliffe, Durham, United Kingdom
Job ID: R0110882
Date Posted: 2026-10-22
Company Name: Hitachi Rail UK Limited
Profession (Job Category): Other
Job Schedule: Full time
Work Arrangement: Hybrid
About Us
A career at Hitachi Rail will help create a legacy. With operations in every corner of the world, our work goes to the cutting-edge of digital transformation and technology. From the multi-cultural strength of our global organisation to the sustainable and innovative ways we work to bring people together, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into. And that’s where you come in.
From engineering new sustainability solutions that conserve water and energy to creating the infrastructure for the smart cities of tomorrow, there’s no challenge too great for our pioneers. And there’s no shortage of opportunities for you to make a difference. Come and experience the dynamic, collaborative and creative environments where your ideas are welcome and new discoveries are waiting. To help you grow to your full potential, we strive to support our employees in their career aspirations and promote the freedom to explore new horizons.
Job Description
- Develop and deliver commodity plans for your portfolio, aligned to the wider category strategy.
- Develop procurement and sourcing strategies for new contract opportunities.
- Identify, assess and establish suitable suppliers.
- Lead sourcing events including RFX and e-auctions.
- Evaluate supplier proposals and provide recommendations to the business.
- Lead commercial negotiations covering contract terms and provisions, through to contract approval and award.
- Support material and vendor set-up within ERP/MRP systems across Hitachi Rail entities.
- Lead contract handovers with Manufacturing, Service & Maintenance teams and Contract Managers.
- Act as an escalation point for contract claims and exceptional cases of supplier non-performance.
- Conduct supplier performance and risk reviews, including financial and capacity considerations.
- Identify and manage value-chain improvement opportunities.
- Work closely with Operational Procurement teams to support the on-time and on-budget delivery of materials and services.
About you
We’re looking for a commercially minded procurement professional who is confident managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts and working across different areas of a complex organisation. You’ll ideally bring:
- Previous commodity management experience, although this doesn’t need to have been gained within the rail industry.
- Experience working within a manufacturing or service & maintenance environment.
- Strong supplier negotiation skills, including negotiating contractual provisions.
- A good understanding of contract law and contract drafting across different products and services.
- Strong commercial acumen and an appreciation of cost-saving methodologies such as value engineering and logistics optimisation.
- Experience of working effectively within cross-functional teams.
- Good working knowledge of SAP, including POs, Material Master, PIR and contract management.
- Experience and understanding of Contract Lifecycle Management tools.
- Good Excel and wider Microsoft Office skills.
- Excellent communication, organisation and stakeholder-management skills.
- A highly organised and methodical approach, with the motivation to work independently and solve problems.
- Flexibility to travel is important. The role can involve travel between UK locations including London and Newton Aycliffe, potentially up to weekly, alongside occasional international travel depending on project requirements.
What we offer
- Competitive salary
- Potential opportunity for annual performance-related bonus
- 25 days holiday
- Pension scheme with contributions up to 9%
- Private medical insurance
- Personal Accident Insurance
- Group Income Protection
- Group Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Programme
We welcome and value differences in background, age, gender, sexuality, family status, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, and world view. It is our commitment to create an inclusive environment - we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
E-mail us for data privacy inquiries or technical support.
At Hitachi Rail, there is a place for everyone.
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Commodity Manager in Newton Aycliffe employer: Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc.
Hitachi Energy UK Limited is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, allowing you to thrive in a remote setting while contributing to impactful projects across Europe. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we offer continuous learning opportunities and the chance to work alongside industry leaders, ensuring your career development is supported every step of the way. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team that values financial insight and delivery, making a real difference in the energy sector.
Contact Details:
Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc. Recruitment Team
