About us
Porterbrook is on an exciting journey at the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre in Warwickshire, and we're looking for outstanding people to be a part of our team at the 135-acre site.
We're investing £75m into the future of rail at the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre - a major commitment that includes the development of the UK's only continuous test loop. This investment will see the site play a pivotal role in the future of the UK's railway, as an exceptional facility to test and trial new traction technologies, securely store rolling stock and provide training in a live environment.
The UK's first hydrogen-powered passenger train was built and is being tested by Porterbrook here, and we're also the home of the country's largest outdoor rail exhibition, Rail Live.
Our small, close-knit and passionate team based at the site ensures that everything runs smoothly across Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre each day, and we have some exciting opportunities to join them.
The Porterbrook group of companies is wholly owned by supportive long-term institutional investors, fully committed to the future of the UK rail sector.
Our values
[A group of icons with text AI-generated content may be incorrect.]
About the team
We provide comprehensive engineering, project management and asset management services to ensure our assets deliver industry leading levels of performance and passenger satisfaction for our customers.
About the role
A great opportunity for an exceptional Senior Contracts and Warranty Manager, to join the Porterbrook team.
Role Purpose
Accountable as the senior interface between the business, customers and the supply chain for the effective management of all contractual and warranty matters. The Senior Contracts and Warranty Manager ensures that service levels are achieved, contractual obligations are met, and issues are escalated and resolved in a timely and professional manner. The role provides strategic oversight of Spares Management Agreements (SMAs) and Spares Access Agreements (SAAs), ensuring alignment with business objectives and the closure of open warranty issues.
A key part of the role is driving supplier performance against agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and leading continuous improvement initiatives across the supply chain base. To achieve this, you will lead a small team ensuring that the KPIs are delivered and continuous improvement is seen across all contracts within your control.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the implementation, and governance of supplier contracts, SMAs, and SAAs to ensure commercial and operational effectiveness
* Ensure you and your direct reports are monitoring supplier and contract performance against KPIs, identifying risks and opportunities for improvements, escalating as required on areas of concern
* Support the development of new commercial agreements, advising on terms, risks, and performance measures to protect business interests
* Foster collaboration between engineering, procurement, and maintenance teams to ensure efficient and compliant delivery of contractual obligations
* Lead and implement key team skills required to negotiate supplier spares contracts and SMAs, consulted, advising and informing of any requirements needed for a new contract
* Lead and ensure implementation of contract governance to ensure that SMAs, warranty and KPIs are executed along with Project Execution Plans (PEPs) and contract workbooks
* Manage and maintain a risk register within your workbooks ensuring mitigation where needed
* Ensure you and your direct reports develop strategic relationships with all stakeholders. Ensure that service levels are being implemented as per contractual obligations
* Ensure regular contract reviews are held with the supply chain to successfully manage performance, report on these monthly to the wider business, including Procurement, for supplier performance monitoring at QBR reviews
* Ensure that your and your team's contracts material assets are managed effectively through the correct identification of assets, ensuring storage meets the specifications and requirements
* Ensure compliance audits are conducted regularly in line with contractual requirements for those material assets
* Ensure annual stock takes are held for any contracts which include float material and condition assessment
* Oversee the warranty portal and its effective operation, whilst ensuring swift resolution of warranty claims and open issues to closure and alignment with contractual terms
* Administer the warranty process to bring about resolution, ensuring all warranty claims raised by Porterbrook customers are dealt with in a timely manner
* Act as the escalation point of contact for all stakeholders on contractual and warranty matters, providing expert advice and guidance as required
* Work with customers and suppliers to resolve disputes, ensuring suppliers have float available to support both planned and unplanned requirements where possible
* Where required, support the business in mobilising any Free Issue Material (FIM) Orders
* Ensure that all Porterbrook's suppliers are accredited for the scope of work undertaken by you and your team
* Ensure that all suppliers are set up correctly, including the management of POs
* Ensure the WLMP is kept up to date with any price changes relating to the overhaul services for spares. Challenge as required these changes with the supply chain
* Manage and track your and your direct reports' contractual "Additional Arising Work" (AAW) spend, ensure suppliers provide adequate information for Porterbrook to attribute cost responsibilities appropriately
* Track and recover expenditure relating to missing and damaged items claimed by the supply chain on overhauled components. Established KPIs around this requirement
* Ensure that suppliers and customers take responsibility for the care, custody and control of Porterbrook's spares assets, when in their jurisdiction
* Ensure such spares are managed, maintained, overhauled and provided to users in an effective and efficient manner, to specification
* Manage all third-party relationships for the control and use of spares
* Provide support to TOCs in respect of their requirements
* Liaise with the Planning department to ensure that productions plans are delivered on time, ensuring they are consistently updated
* Work with the Engineering department for timely completion of maintenance contracts
Other Duties
* Cover for your respective team members during periods of absence
* Provide support to suppliers and internal functions on any health and safety matters
* Support the function and business in the drive for continuous improvement
* Operate in line with the organisation's values and behaviours
* Support all business areas to ensure that current and future SMA contracts are set-up in an appropriate way so they can be managed successfully
* Hold regular meetings with the Supplier Contracts Manager to provide KPIs on supplier performance and contractual escalation requirements, receive feedback from Quarterly Business Reviews (QBR)
* Conduct regular 1-2-1s (monthly minimum) with your direct reports
* Establish and implement yearly objectives for each of your direct reports, conducting mid-year and end of year reviews
* Provide monthly status reports to the Head of Maintenance Services on key metric data as required
Skills / Experience
What you'll need to have
* The ideal candidate will have previous line management experience, is able to work as part of a wider team whilst leading their own team
* Able to take a pragmatic approach to challenges and actively solve problems before escalation
* Experienced in taking full accountability for the end-to-end operational procurement processes
* Experience of Oracle systems desirable
* CIPS Qualified, working towards or prepared to embark on the journey
* HNC or HND standard preferably in business
* 5 years minimum experience in a contractual procurement role
* 2 years minimum experience of leading a team
* Track record of managing suppliers effectively
* Experienced in leading commercial and supply contracts
* Minimum of 2 years' rail experience to aid understanding in contract management
It would be great if you also had
* Excellent commercial acumen and negotiation skills
* Well organised and able to work to deadlines
* Ability to communicate at all levels, internally and externally
* Numerate with strong analytical skills
* Excellent oral and written communication skills
* Experience of e-procurement systems an advantage
A great place to work
People are the heart of Porterbrook. Our close knit team is diverse, supportive and flexible. We have a collaborative work ethic both within the company and with our customers and suppliers. In recognition of this we have been awarded:
* Investors in People Gold accreditation
* Investors in People 'We Invest in Wellbeing' Gold accreditation
* National Rail Awards 2023 Fleet Achievement of the Year
* National Rail Awards 2023 Safety Achievement of the Year
These accolades reflect the company's dedication to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace where employees are empowered to thrive.
To learn more about why Porterbrook is a great place to work please visit our website and follow us on social media.
Our benefits
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 outstanding people and a road map for the future to grow and develop the business. Some of our benefits are listed below:
* 1.5x employer contributory pension scheme
* Financial wellbeing support
* Flexible working
* Enhanced family friendly policies
* Adoption & Shared Parental Leave benefits
* Enhanced Armed Forces policies
* Ongoing support with professional and personal development
* Long service awards
* Porterbrook Star awards
* Life assurance
* Healthcare cash plan
* 25 days' annual leave + Bank Holidays + option to buy and sell up to 5 days' additional leave
* Additional days annual leave for long service
* Season ticket loan
Should you be suitable for the role, the full benefits package will be discussed in more detail during your screening call.
Equal Opportunities
We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us on our journey.
Accessibility
We're committed to helping you perform at your best throughout the recruitment process. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please get in touch with us at recruitment@porterbrook.co.uk We'll be happy to discuss how we can assist.
To apply
Please follow the link at the top of this page to send your CV and a covering email with full details of why you would be a great addition to the Porterbrook team, along with details of your current salary and notice period.
This vacancy may close at any time once sufficient applications have been received. Early submission of your application is therefore encouraged.
What happens next?
Once your application has been reviewed, our recruitment team will be in contact.
Our interview process is typically two stages to ensure a thorough evaluation while providing a chance for you to showcase your skills and fit for our team. This approach allows us to engage in meaningful discussions, assess your qualifications more comprehensively, and ensure a mutual alignment with our company values. If you're ready to take the next step in your career, we look forward to meeting you!
We support