Contracts Assistant – 6 months secondment/FTC opportunity

Job title:

Contracts Assistant – 6 months secondment/FTC opportunity

Company

Network Rail

Job description

Are you ready to make a difference in people’s lives? At Network Rail, we connect passengers and freight customers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country. We’re an organisation where people truly matter, and when you join us, you matter to us and millions of others. to watch our inspiring video to learn more about us!We’re dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the passengers we serve. To achieve this, we’re committed to becoming an open, diverse, and inclusive workplace, leveraging the skills and expertise of our talented workforce. Together, we strive to create a safe and accessible railway for everyone. Discover more about the importance of Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail by .Investing in our people is key to enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our railway system. If you’re passionate about making a meaningful impact, then this opportunity is for you!About our people and the recruitment process – We’re an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don’t always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we’ll do our best to help and invest in your career with us, whilst you have a healthy work life balance.We’re also a employer and we’ll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles.Brief DescriptionRoute Services is a division of Network Rail that provides the Routes with services so they can help Network Rail deliver a better railway for a better Britain. We support the Routes with a myriad of services and supplies they need to maintain and operate the railway. See the diagram for a breakdown of our services. To learn more, please click to watch our video.This role sits within Supply Chain Operations (SCO), an area of the business which supplies and delivers the logistics, materials, components, rail and road fleet that enable the maintenance and renewal of the railway.SCO keeps the materials, machinery and components required by its customers moving – making sure they are on-site when needed so work can go ahead as planned and on schedule.About the role (External)We are currently seeking a dynamic and organised individual to join our Switches and Crossings (S&C) team, a core group of 12 professionals, reporting directly to the Business Support Manager. This flexible role offers a variety of responsibilities across contract management, supplier relations, and continuous improvement initiatives within the S&C domain.Within this role, you’ll provide comprehensive contract management support across eight key suppliers, ensuring smooth and effective collaboration. The role involves attending and taking minutes at Period Contract Review Meetings, logging key actions, and actively following up on outstanding tasks to ensure their timely resolution. You will trace and report on contract commitments, maintaining clarity and transparency, while also producing and maintaining periodic Supplier Performance Reports that evolve over the duration of the contract to support informed decision-making. Working closely with the S&C team, you will help identify and implement Continuous Improvement opportunities, driving efficiency and innovation. Additionally, you will offer flexible support across core S&C functions, including Maintenance, Commercial, and Renewals, contributing to the team’s overall operational success.The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to adapt to evolving role requirements and possess strong communication skills, enabling effective collaboration with Suppliers, Customers and Senior Stakeholders. Exceptional organisational skills are essential, including the ability to plan meetings and deliver reports punctually. A proactive approach, coupled with a strong sense of accountability, is crucial, as is a high level of attention to detail and a commitment to data accuracy. Advanced proficiency in Excel is also required to succeed in this role.Key accountabilities include:

• Support the management of supply chain contracts to achieve the most cost-effective delivery of goods and services.
• Collate data on all transactions incurred in delivering contracts. Investigate and reconcile transactions and costs as part of an end-to-end process.
• Develop effective relationships with customers and suppliers drive collaboration and support problem solving.
• Develop and maintain processes for effective query resolution.
• Support the team as required, to deliver a comprehensive service to the business areas.
• Provide data, analysis and commentary for management reports.
• Assist in supporting the timely collection of business unit commercial information and payment of business unit creditors.
• Assist in identification and implementation of quality and efficiency improvement initiatives.
• Proactively monitor performance and highlight areas for improvement.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following criteria:Essential

• Proven ability to work to tight deadlines and mandated processes with a high level of accuracy.
• Good administration and analytical skills.
• Good interpersonal and relationship building skills.
• Good commercial awareness.
• A customer focussed approach.

Desirable

• Railway knowledge.
• Awareness of supply chain processes.
• Experience within a customer service role.

How to apply (External)Vacancy type: This role is a 6-month secondment with the potential to extend or become permanent.NB for internal applicants: Please note that secondments are subject to your line managers approval. Please discuss this opportunity with them before applying to avoid disappointment.Location: This position is based in Milton Keynes.Hours: 35 hours per week with hybrid working and travel as required. Flexible working can be considered.Salary range: £24,960 – £27,000 p/a, depending upon skills and experience.Closing date: 10th February 2024. Late applicants will not be accepted. This role is being advertised internally and externally.You will need to please complete a supporting statement addressing how you meet the essential criteria. Please add this to your CV in one document.Please see attached guide – How to complete Supporting Statement.If you cannot access the guide please contact and we will send you a copy.Interviews: Will be held 11th and 12th March 2025. The interview will consist of a competency based interview and an Excel assessment.At Network Rail you will have a clear development path, access to training and enjoy a range of employee benefits, such as; up to 28 days annual leave, rail travel subsidies, a range of pension options, flexible and agile working arrangements, discounts on shopping, gym memberships and much more. s.Click ‘Apply now’ to submit your application. If you would like to speak the Resourcing Team, please contactIf you would like to know more about the role, please contact Charlie Hickman,If you would like any reasonable adjustments support during your application or throughout the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact the Resourcing Team who will happily assist.Below are some examples of adjustments we can make: * Changing a provision, practice or ‘the way things are done’For example, we can give candidates extra time to complete online, tasks or interviews as needed. * Changing a physical feature of our workplaceFor example, office/room layout can be adapted to accommodate individual needs. * Providing extra equipment or assistanceFor example, we can provide sign language interpreters and support workers where needed. Alternative document formats can be made available.There are lots of other adjustments we can consider – please just ask!Drugs and Alcohol Standard:All prospective external candidates offered a conditional role will be required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Your application will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on database and a 5 year suspension from applying for a safety critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced.

Expected salary

£24960 – 27000 per year

Location

Milton Keynes

Job date

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 08:53:08 GMT

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