At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage supplier relationships and drive continuous improvement in performance and delivery.
- Company: Hitachi Rail, a diverse and inclusive workplace committed to equal opportunities.
- Benefits: Hybrid working model with travel opportunities and a focus on professional growth.
- Other info: Join a team that values diversity and fosters an inclusive culture.
- Why this job: Build trust-based partnerships and influence outcomes in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in supplier management and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
Description
Your new role
The Subcontract Manager is responsible for developing, managing and strengthening effective, collaborative relationships with key strategic suppliers and selected external clients.
The role focuses on building trust-based partnerships, influencing supplier behaviours, negotiating balanced outcomes and driving continuous improvement across performance, capability and delivery.
This role places a strong emphasis on interpersonal skills, stakeholder engagement, and relationship ownership.
The role holder acts as the primary interface between the organisation, its suppliers, and, where appropriate, external clients, ensuring expectations are aligned and issues are managed constructively.
The role requires regular external engagement and the flexibility to travel to supplier premises, client locations and operational or project sites on an ad-hoc basis.
This is a hybrid working role with 2 days in the office.
Key Responsibilities
- Supplier Relationship Management
- Act as the primary relationship owner for allocated key and strategic suppliers.
- Build and maintain long-term, trust-based relationships that support organisational, supplier and client objectives.
- Develop and maintain Supplier Relationship Plans where appropriate, including engagement cadence, joint objectives, and improvement initiatives.
- Facilitate regular supplier reviews, including senior-level and executive engagement where required, and ensure monthly or quarterly supplier 360° scoring and feedback is completed to support reporting cycles.
- External Client Engagement
- Support engagement with external clients to help align suppliers, delivery teams, and client expectations.
- Assist in joint meetings with suppliers and clients as a professional point of contact.
- Contribute to client discussions on supplier capability, performance, risk, and improvement plans.
- Negotiation, Influence & Issue Resolution
- Work with Project Procurement Managers to negotiate with suppliers, focusing on collaboration, value creation, and sustainable outcomes rather than purely contractual leverage.
- Influence supplier behaviours through effective communication, credibility and relationship management.
- Proactively manage emerging issues, resolving conflict at the lowest possible level and avoiding formal escalation wherever possible.
- Performance & Continuous Improvement
- Monitor supplier performance using agreed metrics, with a strong focus on continuous improvement rather than punitive enforcement.
- Collaborate with suppliers and the quality assurance team to determine the root causes of underperformance, and agree on corrective or improvement actions.
- Encourage innovation, efficiency improvements and best-practice sharing across the supplier base.
- Internal Stakeholder Management
- Act as a key interface between suppliers and internal stakeholders (projects, engineering, quality, operations, commercial).
- Manage competing priorities and expectations through clear communication, influence and stakeholder alignment.
- Provide insight to internal teams and leadership on supplier capability, risks, constraints and behavioural dynamics.
- Risk, Ethics & Governance
- Proactively identify relationship, capability and dependency risks within the supplier base and support mitigation planning.
- Promote ethical, transparent and professional conduct in all supplier and client interactions.
- Ensure activity is aligned with organisational policies and governance requirements, applying judgment rather than rigid process adherence.
About you
Relevant Skills
- Strong relationship management and stakeholder engagement capability
- Excellent communication skills (verbal, written and interpersonal)
- Proven ability to influence, negotiate and manage conflict constructively
- High levels of emotional intelligence and cultural awareness
- Ability to build credibility and trust with suppliers, clients and internal stakeholders
- Problem-solving mindset with a collaborative, solutions-focused approach
- Comfortable operating in complex, matrix and sometimes ambiguous environments
- Willingness and flexibility to work externally and travel as required
Essential Criteria
- Demonstrable experience managing key or strategic supplier relationships
- Experience working directly with external suppliers and, ideally, clients
- Track record of resolving complex or sensitive issues through negotiation and influence
- Experience in a procurement, supply chain, operations or project-based environment
- Working knowledge of contracts and commercial frameworks
- MCIPS qualification preferred
Desirable Experience
- Experience supporting supplier development or continuous improvement initiatives
- Exposure to rail, infrastructure, engineering or regulated environments
- Experience working with senior stakeholders or supplier leadership teams
- Travel Requirement
- The role requires ad hoc travel to supplier premises, client locations and operational or project sites to support effective relationship management, engagement and issue resolution.
Closing date for applications is 8th November 2026.
At Hitachi Rail, there is a place for everyone.
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.
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Subcontract Manager in England employer: Hitachi Rail GTS UK Limited
Hitachi Rail GTS UK Limited is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. Located in the heart of London, our team enjoys flexible working arrangements and access to market-leading training, ensuring that every individual can thrive while contributing to innovative projects that shape the future of rail technology. Join us to be part of a diverse global organisation where your ideas are valued and you can make a meaningful impact.
Contact Details:
Hitachi Rail GTS UK Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Subcontract Manager in England
✨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 Hitachi Rail GTS UK Limited.
✨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!
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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 Subcontract Manager in England
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 Hitachi Rail GTS UK Limited:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Hitachi Rail GTS UK Limited. 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 Hitachi Rail GTS UK Limited.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hitachi Rail GTS UK Limited
✨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 Hitachi Rail GTS UK Limited!
✨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 Hitachi Rail GTS UK Limited. 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 Hitachi Rail GTS UK Limited's culture.
