About the Role
My client is a leading private sector rail operator, known for delivering a high-quality, efficient, and customer-centric service. As they continue to invest in their estate, infrastructure, and commercial capability, they are looking to hire an experienced Procurement Manager with a specialist focus on Facilities Management (FM) and Estates Procurement. This is a critical role in their evolving procurement team, reporting into the Head of Procurement and offering the opportunity to lead strategic sourcing activity in a regulated yet commercially dynamic environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and deliver end-to-end FM procurement activity in line with Procurement Act 2023 (formerly UCR 2016).
- Develop FM and Estates category strategies aligned to long-term asset and facilities investment plans.
- Ensure full compliance with procurement policy, governance frameworks, and public procurement regulations.
- Draft and manage tender documentation, NEC4 contract terms, commercial models, and evaluation criteria.
- Partner with stakeholders across property, engineering, legal, finance, and operations to define procurement needs and shape sourcing strategies.
- Lead commercial negotiations, contract award processes, and ensure robust value-led supplier agreements.
- Conduct market analysis, drive value engineering, and identify opportunities for innovation and cost-efficiency.
- Oversee supplier performance and risk via structured SRM and KPI frameworks, with a focus on service reliability and compliance.
- Ensure effective use of procurement systems including e-sourcing and P2P platforms.
- Collaborate with Group Procurement functions on shared initiatives and best practice development.
Key Skills & Experience
- Significant experience managing complex FM procurement projects within regulated, infrastructure-heavy, or estates-led environments.
- Strong working knowledge of UCR 2016 and/or Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) with demonstrable experience in regulated public procurements.
- Experience with NEC3/NEC4 contract suites, including drafting and negotiating FM-related contracts.
- Strong understanding of facilities management categories such as hard and soft FM, M&E services, planned/reactive maintenance, and lifecycle works.
- Sector experience in rail, transport, utilities, or wider infrastructure is highly advantageous.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels.
- Strong commercial acumen and a data-led approach, including spend and performance analysis.
- Proficiency in procurement systems and P2P platforms.
- Ideally CIPS-qualified or actively working toward professional accreditation.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
- Play a key role in shaping the procurement strategy for FM and Estates within a leading UK rail operator.
- Lead on high-impact, business-critical sourcing programmes that support infrastructure and service delivery.
- Join a collaborative and commercially focused procurement team undergoing significant growth and transformation.
- Benefit from hybrid working, long-term development opportunities, and exposure to strategic procurement at scale.