Overview
Department: Supply Chain Operations - Capital Programmes
Location: Birmingham, GB
About Network Rail
Join Our Team at Network Rail! We connect passengers and freight customers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country. We strive to be an open, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Discover more about our Diversity and Inclusion and our vision for a simpler, better, greener railway, and our approach to safety.
Investing in our people is key to enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our railway system. If you’re passionate about making a meaningful impact, this opportunity is for you.
Brief Description
Route Services is a division of Network Rail that provides the Routes with services to maintain and operate the railway. This role sits within Supply Chain Operations (SCO), an area that supplies and delivers the logistics, materials, components, rail and road fleet enabling maintenance and renewal of the railway. SCO ensures materials and components are on-site when needed to keep work on schedule.
Working with us is More than a Salary.
The Role
The role will support two portfolios:
* Wheeled Plant – supporting the Rail Delivery Train project and other wheeled plant contracts within the portfolio.
* Road Fleet – NR operates ~10,000 road vehicles with contracts supporting tyres, telematics, fleet management, and training. This portfolio is transitioning into the Strategic Programme organisation; the role will support that transition from a commercial perspective.
You will demonstrate experience of the commercial management of NEC4-based contracts.
Key Accountabilities
* Establish and implement appropriate commercial strategies including effective project cost management and provide feedback into procurement processes.
* Provide commercial management of framework agreements and contracts; lead the commercial review of contractor delivery, attend valuation and progress meetings as necessary.
* Initiate estimating and risk and value management of projects; recommend mitigating actions on commercial/risk events early.
* Lead negotiation of prices under existing contracts/framework agreements and participate in quantitative risk assessment and value management workshops.
* Monitor and manage project reporting; explain variances to outturns, forecasts, AFCs and budget/authority to Commercial Director, proposing mitigations early.
* Lead and deploy the commercial team in live projects, ensuring adequate resourcing from a commercial perspective.
* Provide proactive expertise on contract/scope changes in accordance with change control systems; progress timely resolution of contract variations.
* Manage all commercial correspondence and contractual notices; confirm Network Rail’s contractual position where defined.
* Identify emerging problems, report contractual claims and support resolution of disputes with Functional management as appropriate.
* Establish compliance controls and audit regimes to adhere to procedures and standards.
* Lead final account settlements and close-out; monitor multi-year framework agreements and reconciled annual accounts within 6 months of year-end.
* Support demonstration of efficiencies and continual improvement of estimating; feedback through Cost Allocation processes.
* Support pre- and post-contract procurement activities and coach/ develop commercial staff.
Essential – Job Skills, Experience and Qualifications
* Knowledge of railway and construction industry conditions of contract
* Degree level education or equivalent with professional qualification
* Experienced negotiator
* Experience in resolving construction contract disputes
* 5 years’ relevant railway and/or construction experience
* Knowledge of railway commercial contract management
Desirable
* Experience of managing and developing a team
* Good written and oral communication skills
* Experience of contractors accounts
How To Apply (External)
Vacancy type: This role is permanent.
Location: This position is based in Baskerville House Birmingham. Commercial team members and wider programme team are in Milton Keynes and Waterloo; travel may be required.
Hours: 35 hours per week, hybrid working (3 days in the office) with travel as required.
Salary range: £55,596 to £65,966 per annum, depending on skills and experience.
Closing date: 7 November 2025. Late applicants will not be accepted. This role is advertised internally and externally.
You will need to complete a supporting statement addressing how you meet the essential criteria as part of the application. If you cannot access the guide, contact RSResourcing@networkrail.co.uk for a copy.
Click ‘Apply now’ to submit your application. If you would like to speak to the Resourcing Team, contact RSResourcing@networkrail.co.uk. For reasonable adjustments during the application or recruitment process, please contact the Resourcing Team.
Adjustments
We can consider adjustments to support accessibility, including extra time for online tasks, changes to the workplace layout, or additional equipment. Please ask for support.
Recruitment Process
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in competency-based interviews. For further information on recruitment, visit the Network Rail careers site.
Drugs and Alcohol
Some roles require drugs and alcohol testing as part of the offer process. Guidance and more information are available in our Drugs and Alcohol policy.
Benefits
Network Rail Benefits — to find out what benefits we offer, click here. All offers are conditional upon satisfactory pre-employment checks.
Note: Some roles may require face-to-face Drugs & Alcohol testing; details will be shared with you as part of the offer.
Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Sales and Business Development
Industries: Rail Transportation
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