Supplier Contract Specialist - C&P in Milton Keynes

About the team: You will be joining a supportive and collaborative Commercial & Procurement team that plays a key role in keeping Britain's railways running efficiently and safely. We work closely with a wide range of stakeholders across the business to deliver value for money, ensure compliance, and support strategic objectives. It is a fast-paced and dynamic environment where your ideas are valued, and professional development is encouraged. We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace and to ED&I commitments.

At Network Rail, we are dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you are not just part of a team - you are part of something that matters to millions. 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.

What does the average day look like? An average day in this role involves managing a varied portfolio of supplier contracts, ensuring they deliver the full value agreed during sourcing while meeting governance and regulatory requirements. You will work closely with Category and Sourcing Managers, as well as stakeholders across the business, to maintain strong supplier relationships and ensure a joined-up approach to engagement and performance. Your day will include driving operational service delivery, resolving issues, facilitating contract changes, and identifying opportunities for savings and improvements throughout the contract lifecycle. You will keep contractual data accurate and up to date, support financial planning, and collaborate with colleagues - including Accounts Payable - to smooth out any payment or invoicing challenges. You will also contribute to enhancing best practice across the Supplier Management team by sharing market insights, leading continuous improvement activities, and supporting customer satisfaction initiatives that help us deliver against our Balanced Scorecards and procurement ambitions.

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied portfolio of supplier contracts and ensure value delivery, governance and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain strong supplier relationships and a joined-up approach to engagement and performance with Category and Sourcing Managers and other stakeholders.
• Drive operational service delivery, resolve issues, facilitate contract changes, and identify opportunities for savings and improvements throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Keep contractual data accurate and up to date; support financial planning; collaborate with Accounts Payable to resolve payment or invoicing challenges.
• Contribute to best-practice improvement across the Supplier Management team by sharing market insights and leading continuous improvement activities.
• Support customer satisfaction initiatives aligned with Balanced Scorecards and procurement ambitions.

Qualifications

• Educated to a Business or Economics degree standard or equivalent business experience.
• Procurement experience, including Supplier Management.
• Experience of driving value from complex supplier contracts and relationships.
• Experience with negotiation and dispute resolution.
• Ability to deliver defined relationship and commercial value.
• Experience with agile, cross-functional collaborative working methods.
• Politically aware, with the ability to use direct and indirect influencing strategies.
• Demonstrable level of problem-solving experience.
• Completer finisher mindset.
• Detailed knowledge of the UK Rail Industry, including procurement processes in a reclassified environment.
• Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail; applicants should be able to demonstrate awareness of our safety commitments.

Why Network Rail

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 are dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country, and we value collaboration, professional development, and delivering value for money.

Accessibility and inclusion

We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we will do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process. You can visit our accessibility resources for advice on support.

Next steps

If you are ready to make a real difference, we would love to hear from you!