We are proud to be One Team at East Midlands Railway (EMR). We are passionate about keeping people safe, delighting our customers, doing the right thing and putting customers at the heart of our sustainable railway for the East Midlands. With over 2,600 employees, our people are the reason we are so successful. Ten times accredited as a Top Employer, we value our people and are dedicated to making sure that everybody feels empowered to bring their authentic self to work.
East Midlands Railway (EMR) is looking for an experienced Senior Category Manager to join our Procurement team based in Derby on a Fixed Term Basis. This role is part time over 2 days per week.
This is a key leadership role responsible for delivering the Indirect Procurement Category Strategy, leading tendering activity across the business and ensuring that EMR achieves maximum commercial value from its supplier partnerships.
You will play a central role in managing the full procurement lifecycle – from strategy development and tendering through to contract award and supplier relationship management – while ensuring compliance with procurement governance and the Procurement Act 2023.
Working closely with stakeholders across the business, including Finance, IT and the Department for Transport, you will help shape procurement activity that supports the delivery of the National Rail Contract and wider EMR business objectives.
Key Responsibilities
1. Lead and deliver the Indirect Category Plan, acting as the subject matter expert for the category.
2. Manage
3. a team of Category Managers
4. Manage the full procurement lifecycle, including tendering, evaluation and contract award.
5. Develop and implement procurement strategies and sourcing frameworks that deliver best value.
6. Create robust supplier contracts and commercial agreements that maximise value for EMR.
7. Provide strong contract management and supplier governance, holding suppliers accountable to deliver against contractual commitments.
8. Ensure procurement activities comply with UK procurement legislation, governance and company policies.
9. Lead stakeholder engagement across departments to ensure procurement supports operational and project requirements.
10. Deliver against Procurement KPIs within the National Rail Contract.
11. Identify opportunities to collaborate with group procurement teams to maximise value and efficiency.
12. Maintain governance of the contracts database and procurement reporting.
13. Lead sustainability improvements within the supply chain in line with ISO20400 sustainable procurement principles.
14. Provide reports and recommendations to senior leadership and governance forums.
Essential Skills & Experience
15. Degree qualified or equivalent experience
16. MCIPS qualified or working towards
17. Public Sector Procurement experience
18. Strong experience in Indirect Procurement category management
19. Proven experience delivering tendering and procurement processes end-to-end
20. Strong contract negotiation and supplier management skills
21. Excellent commercial and analytical capability
22. Ability to interpret and analyse complex spend and procurement data
23. Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at all levels
24. Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
As well as a competitive salary, we’ll also offer you:
25. An excellent defined benefit pension scheme
26. 32 days’ holiday per year, rising to 34 after 2 years
27. Flexible working hours
28. Free First Class duty travel on the EMR network
29. Free standard leisure travel on the EMR network and Train Operating Companies under Transport UK & LNER
30. 75% discount on national leisure travel (inc partner and dependants)
31. Friends and Family discounted tickets on the EMR network
32. Various training opportunities
33. Employee benefits portal with access to generous discounts, Cycle 2 Work Scheme …and many more!