About Caf
Innovation is in our DNA - we thrive on pushing boundaries and adapting to new challenges with a flexible approach. Proud to be a global leader, our fast-paced growth provides exciting opportunities for our team and the community.
Committed to maintaining trains and trams, our mission is to enhance vehicle safety and reliability. Our ultimate goal is to deliver a comfortable, dependable, and sustainable commuting experience for all passengers.
Based out of multiple locations across the UK, our 24/7 operation means we're always on hand to deliver reliable technical support. Utilising the latest digital technology, we strive to enhance dependability, helping people to get to where they need to be
We wouldn't be where we are without our people. Working together as a team, we strive to achieve great things while supporting each other to thrive along the way. We're going places, so apply today and become part of our exciting journey.
What Can You Expect From CAF
Positive Work Environment: You will work in a positive environment, based on mutual respect and team spirit.
Professional Development: Our projects are often measured in years, sometimes decades, giving you and the organisation a future.
Learning and Autonomy: We will encourage you to work autonomously, being able to propose and decide 'what' and 'how'.
Security and Reliability: CAF has been working for over 100 years on a path that stretches into the future, giving you the security you need
Cutting-edge technology: You will work with the latest technologies, facing the challenge of devising innovative approaches and solutions every day.
What will be your role in the company?
The Category Buyer will support CAF Rail UK's Procurement & Supply Chain function during a critical period of overhaul transition and supplier governance enhancement. This fixed-term role has been created to strengthen operational procurement control across overhaul services, and critical repairable parts, ensuring delivery stability, cost control, and performance compliance.
Working closely with the Category Manager and wider technical teams, the Category Buyer will be responsible for the day to day commercial management of suppliers, purchase order governance, expediting, and performance tracking across designated categories. The role is key to supporting the department's objective of improving supply resilience, increasing visibility of sub tier risk, and embedding stronger procurement discipline as overhaul activities evolve.
The successful candidate will ensure that supply chain processes move from reactive firefighting to structured, performance led management aligned to CAF Rail UK's service obligations and reliability commitments.
What will make you successful in this position?
Proven experience in procurement or purchasing, ideally within rail, engineering or a technical industry.
Strong understanding of supply chain processes and supplier performance metrics.
Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills when working with suppliers and internal teams.
Strong attention to detail, with the ability to organise, prioritise and take ownership of work.
Strong commercial acumen with experience in negotiation, cost/value evaluation and efficiency improvement.
Proficiency with ERP/procurement systems (e.g. SAP) and Microsoft Office tools.
Ability to analyse data, generate reports and support continuous improvement activities.
A qualification in Supply Chain, Business or equivalent professional experience (CIPS desirable).
About What We Offer
A Real Living Wage employer and proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, RSSB Mental Health Charter and Women in Rail EDI Charter, we've a lot to shout about at CAF.
Creating a culture of inclusivity and belonging is really important to us and we're proud to offer our people a range of benefits to support wellbeing including 25 days annual leave, an excellent workplace pension scheme (with up to 10% contribution from us), not forgetting to mention our generous health care cash plan and Bike2Work scheme just to name a few
Looking for career development? Our Professional Sponsorship scheme will help you to achieve your goals while our Flexible Working policy and Family Friendly culture mean everyone is supported to thrive at CAF.
As a socially responsible business, we offer paid volunteering days and promote a variety of social value initiatives, including tree-planting, company-wide donation drives, and providing support to the homeless community and refugees. We're creating waves of positive change through delivering meaningful social value impact on and off the tracks