Commercial Manager - Overhead Condition Renewal

Job Introduction

We partner with our Network Rail routes and regions, delivering critical services and essential equipment to help get passengers and good to where they need to be. To find out more watch our video.

This opportunity sits in Supply Chain Operations (SCO), a division of Route Services that procures safe, sustainable, products and services that are in turn used to improve and enhance the rail infrastructure across Britain. SCO aims to deliver excellent value and service to our customers, helping the rail industry to work together to deliver a more cost-effective railway.

Our extensive supply chain network plays a crucial role in helping to run a safe and efficient railway.

Every year we:

• Buy and deliver 2,000km of rail and 2.5 million tonnes of ballast.

• Operate 1,200 rail vehicles.

Behind the scenes we:

• Process £7,000,000,000 of payments.

• Handle over 23,000 IT helpdesk calls.

Every year:

• Mechanical and electrical locking fitters maintain 468 signal boxes and 387 ground frames.

• Operational property helpdesk process over 200,000 calls

Main Responsibilities

Overhead Condition Renewal OCR) are a part of Route Services, specifically within the Construction Services directorate. The team are an internal delivery organisation supporting renewal of Ovehead Line equipment utilising our fleet of internal MWEPS or the Overhead Line Engineering Train.

You will provide post-contract commercial management of medium value/medium risk activity and support pre-contract activity within the project delivery team’s scope of work, providing specialist commercial advice, guidance and recommendations to mitigate commercial risks.

The role will support the delivery of OHL renewals undertaken by the Overhead Condition Renewal team based at Crewe for the remainder of Control Period 6 and into Control Period 7.

• Support the programme and project teams in monitoring for breaches of compliance with Network Rail Corporate governance and rules in a timely manner.

• Manage cost reporting of all allocated projects within the Network Rail reporting framework including Cost Forecasting, Anticipated Final Cost, Cost of Work Done, Gross Billing and Current Contract Value.

• Monitor, manage and report on all commercial aspects of allocated projects, flagging issues and proposing mitigation actions at the earliest opportunity to Project Manager and/or Programme Manager (functional reporting line) and/or Senior Commercial Manager.

• Monitor awareness of all activities on allocated projects in order to influence decision making from a commercial perspective. Review contractor delivery; including leading valuation of medium value/medium risk contracts and attending all progress meetings to actively influence contractor’s commercial behaviours, delivery and activity.

• Manage assessment and valuation of contractor’s applications and processing of payment certification in accordance with Network Rail processes, contractual terms and conditions and commensurate with contractual entitlement. Challenge cost elements, audit where appropriate and make sure valuations are consistent with agreed site progress.

• Provide pro-active advice and guidance to Project Managers on all change including proposed scope changes, recommending appropriate action in accordance with Network Rail change control systems and produce all required documentation for approval in accordance with levels of delegated authority, including comparative estimates where required, in a timely manner.

• Produce applications for payment/invoices to outside clients in accordance with relevant funding agreements, including supporting documentation as appropriate.

• Identify and advise on all commercial risk/claim events.

• Provide of ad-hoc management information and analysis to promote informed decision-making.

• Produce appropriate commercial correspondence and contractual notices for issue in accordance with contractual conditions. Make sure commercial records are retained and archived properly upon close out.

• Undertake final account settlements and internal reconciliation to project close-out as per the project authority, project plan and within agreed timescales.

• Support demonstration of efficiencies and continual improvement of estimating by undertaking cost analysis of completed projects and feedback as per Cost Allocation Feedback process.

• Support pre and post contract procurement activities as appropriate.

• Provide support to estimating resources, offering guidance and advice on project scale/scope as required.

• Support the negotiation of all prices under existing contracts/framework agreements (including the negotiation of target costs) and fully participate in the associated quantitative risk assessment and value management workshops, as required.

The Ideal Candidate

Will have the following:

Essential

• Demonstrable experience in commercially managing investment projects
• Demonstrable relevant experience
• Good understanding of railway and construction industry forms of contract
• Good understanding of the construction/railway industry
• Good negotiation skills

Desirable

• Educated to degree standard in related subject
• Membership of a relevant professional institute, chartered status
• Significant experience of working within a generalist commercial environment
• Awareness of industry issues

About The Company

We’re an organisation where people matter. We matter to millions.

Our role is to run a safe, reliable and efficient railway, serving customers and communities. We exist to get people and goods where they need to be and to support our country’s economic prosperity. Safety is our number one priority.

We're undertaking an ambitious change. Our vision is Putting Passengers First - becoming a company that is on the side of passengers and freight users.

As one of the UK’s leading equal opportunities employers, our values and the way we behave is important to us and we have created an environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution. We have seven employee networks that provide fantastic support, opportunities and development for applicants from all backgrounds. Click here for more information

We're an inclusive employer of choice, Disability Confident Leader employer, encourage people to work flexibly and we welcome applications from everyone (Click here for more information). Visit Evenbreak’s Career Hive should you need accessibility support to apply. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please contact recruitmentsupport@networkrail.co.uk.

Additional Information

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 Sentinel 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.

Package Description

Vacancy Ref: IRC2254882

This role is being advertised internally and externally

The position is based in Crewe or Manchester.

Hours: 35 hours per week with hybrid working and some travel as required

Salary range: £41,711 to £46,925 per annum depending on skills and experience

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 subsidies, a range of pension options, flexible and agile working arrangements, discounts on shopping, gym memberships and much more.

Closing date: 24 May 2023 – Late applicants will not be accepted.

Click ‘apply for this job’ to apply. If you would like to speak the Resourcing Team, please contact RSResourcing@networkrail.co.uk.

If you would like to know more about the role please contact james.holt2@networkrail.co.uk

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 Sentinel 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.