Contracts Assistant

Job Introduction

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

We are recruiting for a Contract assistant to work in a team of 3 within the Route Services S&C (Switches and Crossings) team Commercial department, and also provide commercial support to the other S&C areas (Maintenance & Renewals)

You will review Supplier’s costs of all the delivered Maintenance and Renewals orders to facilitate payment – circa £80m paid out to our suppliers annually and support off-charging of customers for all orders received You will also provide quotations and/or support to customers to enable them to budget for projects accurately

You will also help maintaining commercial records and files and managing the shared inbox and responding to any general queries received. This role is vital in creating good relationships with Suppliers, Customers and other Route Services business areas e.g. Finance, Technical Authority

A Knowledge of S&C would be helpful but enthusiasm to learn and develop will go a long way.

• 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.

If you have an eye for detail and enjoy variety to your working day this could be the role for you.

If this sounds of interest, apply today.

The Ideal Candidate

Will have experience in the following:

Essential Criteria

• 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.

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

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: IRC2258274

This role is being advertised internally and externally.

Hours: 35 hours per week with hybrid working potential

Salary range: Band 5 £25,570 - £27,820 pa depending on skills and experience

Location: The Quadrant, Milton Keynes

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: 12 June 2023 Late applicants will not be accepted.

Click ‘apply for this job’ to apply. If you would like to find out more about this role please contact jennifer.cowan@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.