Senior Category Buyer

**About us**
Porterbrook is the UK’s leading rolling stock financier and asset management company, and a partner that adds value to the railway today and for the future,
- We’ve been at the heart of the rail network for over three decades and own a quarter of the national passenger rail fleet, with 4,000 vehicles in our diverse portfolio of passenger and freight rolling stock.
- Porterbrook mobilises private finance to drive growth and deliver a safe, efficient and sustainable railway. Sustainability is embedded in our decision making, and we innovate to deliver greener and smarter rail solutions.

**About the team**
- Our procurement team consists of specialists based in Derby and Long Marston. The team work closely with all departments in the procurement of goods and services, both engineering and non-engineering

Key Responsibilities

**Role Purpose**
Responsible for supporting Category Managers in the sourcing of materials and services to support the category strategies underpinning the procurement requirements of the business. Ensuring that the best value for money is obtained, while adhering to the highest level of quality and supplier performance

Acting as the interface between the engineering/project management function and rest of the team, ensuring that all service levels are achieved, and issues/warranties are escalated in a timely manner. Developing an understanding of synergies that may exist across the different categories/fleets/projects across the business to ensure all procurements are achieving optimum efficiency

**Responsibilities**
**Implement Procurement categories strategies**
- Implement agreed category strategies for the procurement on key categories. These must be in line with the overall procurement strategy and will be delivered to provide the best value and quality for the business, ensuring that it remains in line with customers’ requirements and with an eye on future innovations
- Manage the end-to-end procurement process for categories, from RFP through to end supplier management, including, and not limited to:

- Identify opportunities for new services through the use of innovative products to customers
- Supporting project managers with the warranty process, working with internal customers and external suppliers to resolve any disputed claims
- Supporting the management of Free Issue Materials (FIM) to ensure successful delivery into projects
- Where appropriate, tracking supplier performance against the contractual service level agreements, ensuring feedback from other functions is received and acted upon. Escalate any issues in a timely manner, both externally to the supplier and internally within the commercial function

**Developing the Procurement Function**
- Support the overall drive for cost efficiencies across the procurement function
- Support the development of procurement processes and systems
- Support the delivery of quality accreditations, including the ISO 20400 in sustainable procurement
- Working as part of the procurement function, supporting the development of the overall strategy and annual business plan
- Actively participate in any Porterbrook supplier events and engage in a programme to manage the relationships with all suppliers on a regular basis. This will be supported by the managing of KPIs across the supply base
- Support other functions (Finance/Commercial/Fleet) in the internal planning and budgeting for WLMP/FQP

**Supporting Business Objectives**
- Support the commercial and innovation processes with knowledge of relevant categories, how they are developing and the costs for implementation
- Support the project managers and other functions during the operational phase of a contract/project and be seen as the point of escalation for commercial issues with the supply base

**Other Duties**
- Work effectively with other functions/departments, often as part of cross-functional teams
- Operate in line with the organisation’s values and behaviours
- Ensure that all products procured comply with all environmental, ethical and health and safety legislation
- Support both the function and business in the drive for continuous improvement

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

**General Requirements**
- Extensive knowledge of railway industry rolling stock, organisations and key players
- In depth Knowledge of contractual obligations and operating lease agreements
- Experienced and authentic leader to coach and develop the fleet services team
- A passion in developing future leaders and early careers
- Individual with gravitas to strengthen the senior leadership team
- An ‘eyes wide open’ approach to new ventures
- Confident rolling sleeves up when required

A great place to work
- We are seeking the very best talent to join the team, and offer an excellent salary, along with bonus and benefits.
- This is a fantastic opportunity to join a great organisation with excellent people and a road map for the future to grow and develop the business. Some of our b