BUSINESS FUNCTION: Finance

GRADE: ML2/SB2

SALARY: £59,056 to £72,891 per annum

ROLE TYPE: Hybrid

HOURS: 37 per week

Is driving cost-effective solutions ‘Your Thing’? 

Lead and inspire a high-performing procurement team to deliver strategic sourcing, contract negotiation, and supplier management. This role will drive cost savings, risk mitigation, and operational efficiency across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement a robust procurement strategy aligned with the organisation's goals.
• Team Management: Lead and mentor a team of procurement professionals, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.
• Complex Procurement: Manage complex procurement projects, including tenders, negotiations, and contract management.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to optimise performance and reduce costs.
• Cost Reduction: Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives through effective negotiation and supplier optimisation.
• Risk Management: Mitigate supply chain risks through robust contract terms and contingency planning.
• Compliance: Ensure adherence to procurement policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Innovation: Drive innovation and continuous improvement within the procurement function.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Proven track record in leading procurement teams and delivering results.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
• Deep understanding of procurement principles and practices.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• CIPS qualification or equivalent.

By joining our team, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the organisation's bottom line and contribute to its long-term success.

Our Benefits

Because we value our people and reward hard work, we’ve created a benefits package that we think you’ll love. So, you’ll be able to make the most of:

• Opportunities to progress and grow - including comprehensive training schemes and a range of online learning courses.
• Cycle to Work Scheme - save up to 42% on the cost of a bike, while also spreading your payments throughout the year.
• Free Travel on Northern services - everyone who works at Northern, plus their partners/spouses and dependents, can travel for free right across our full network of services. *Certain eligibility criteria will apply.
• 75% discount with other Train Operating Companies - after 1 year with us, you’ll also get discounted travel on many other rail services in the UK and Europe.
• Defined Benefit Pension Scheme - you’ll rarely find a pension as good as a Northern pension, and we top up your pension with a generous 1.5 times your contribution.
• Maternity and Paternity Benefits - we go above and beyond the standard, and mums can enjoy 9 months’ maternity leave on full pay while dads can make the most of 2 weeks’ paternity leave on full pay.
• Employee Assistance Programme - advice, support and useful information 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on everything from family issues to lifestyle matters.
• Exclusive benefits with Northern Perks - enjoy retail discounts, instant vouchers, cashback, wellbeing support and much more.

You can find out more here.

About Northern:

Connecting millions of people and communities across the North is our mission. With 2,500 trains a day, we connect people to jobs, friends, family, and the wonders of the North.

We're improving rail travel, enhancing the experience on board and at stations. Customers are at the heart of our business as we improve performance and create a better way to go.

We're driving economic value and sustainable growth for the North and its people. Our commitment to the environment means reducing our impact and enhancing the world around us.

Make a difference. Make it last. Make it easy. Make it happen. Make it yours. These are our values.

Ready to make them yours? Join us on this journey.

Please note that Northern reserves the right to close recruitment for this role before the published closing date if high volumes of applications are received.

However, if you miss the application window for this particular role, please keep checking back for other opportunities. We are always on the lookout for great people to join the Northern Team!

We’re an equal opportunities employer and a promoter of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds, regardless of gender, sex, ethnicity, race, religion, education, socioeconomic background, disability, or sexual orientation.

We also have Disability Confident status, which means we’re committed to making the most of the talents that disabled people can bring to the workplace.