Commercial and Procurement Manager

About DFT Operator

Join Our Team at DFTO

DFTO is the governments public sector rail owning group. Its purpose is to bring all currently privately-owned train operators into public ownership in advance of the creation of Great British Railways in 2027 - and deliver improvements in the here and now by unifying and integrating train operations under common public ownership.

DFTO has over 30000 employees runs over 11000 services a day and delivers over 930 million customer journeys across its networks every year. 7000 people joined the railway family in the last year

Major improvements are being delivered by DFTO train operators (TOCs) that are already under public ownership - these are LNER Northern TransPennine Express (TPE) Southeastern South Western Railway (SWR) c2c Greater Anglia WM Trains GTR. and Chiltern.

We work closely with the DfT but operate independently with our own governance and leadership teams. Our priority is ensuring efficient dependable rail services for everyone.

Primary Purpose of Job:

This role consists of managing all stages of the procurement process from tendering through from the handing over of contracts to contract and supplier Management.

Key Responsibilities:

This role consists of managing all stages of the procurement process from tendering through from the handing over of contracts to contract and supplier management within DfT Operator Limited (DFTO).

The role supports the Head of Procurement & Contracts; and works with Train Operators (TOC) Procurement Departments and Supplier Management staff across DFTO and TOCs to support transition into the public sector and to establish Group Sourcing Mechanisms.

This role underpins both DFTOs and the Procurement Directorates Business addition to TOCs the role maybe required to work with and DfT RNP external stakeholders such as Network Rail Crown Commercial Services and other Government bodies.

Key Competencies:

Seeing the Big Picture

• Understand the strategic drivers for your area of work.
• Align activities to contribute to wider organisational priorities. Remain alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact your work area.
• Seek out and share experiences to develop knowledge of the teams business area.
• Understand how the strategies and activities of the team create value and meet the diverse needs of all stakeholders.

Making Effective Decisions

• Understand own level of responsibility and empower others to make decisions where appropriate.
• Analyse and use a range of relevant credible information from internal and external sources to support decisions. Invite challenge and where appropriate involve others in decision making. Display confidence when making difficult decisions even if they prove to be unpopular.
• Consult with others to ensure the potential impacts on end users have been considered. Present strong recommendations in a timely manner outlining the consideration of other options costs benefits and risks.

Working Together

• Encourage joined up teamwork within own team and across other groups. Establish professional relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Collaborate with these to share information resources and support. Invest time to develop a common focus and genuine positive team spirit where colleagues feel valued and respect one another.
• Put in place support for the well being of individuals within the team including consideration of your own needs. Make it clear to all team members that bullying harassment and discrimination are unacceptable.
• Actively seek and consider input of people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Key Responsibilities:

Typically the key responsibilities in this role will include (but are not limited to):

• To analyse a wide range of information data and market research in order to inform commercial options and decisions and input into the shaping of the business need in line with the procurement strategy.
• Assess and constructively challenge specifications to ensure that they are fit for purpose and where appropriate have drawn from best practice/lessons learnt from previous contracts and/or similar contracts delivered.
• Manage procurement under a category style approach and challenge suppliers for additional opportunities and initiatives.
• Supporting the implementation of the DFTO procurement & commercial strategy through provision of support for the procurement aspects of transactions;
• Management of all aspects of group procurement activity undertaken by DFTO from notice to award including preparation and publication of notices drafting of procurement documentation for individual competitions participation in evaluation and negotiation and selection of the successful bidder and contributing to the development of business cases for governance bodies including DFTO DfT Cabinet Office and HMT;
• Provision of support to procurement competitions which are already underway either within DFTO TOCs or within private sector TOCs which transition into DFTO while procurements are in flight including undertaking due diligence on commercial elements of transactions as required;
• Work in collaboration with other Procurement Managers across TOCs to deliver better value for money across the estate identifying and proposing efficiencies and innovations to reduce cost;
• Undertake procurement tasks on portfolio level universal contracts as required;
• Identify and develop commercial opportunities to secure additional non-passenger related revenue across the DFTO and TOC supply chain to drive and add value engaging with all internal and external group functions and stakeholders including Network Rail where appropriate;.
• Support the transition of TOCs into the public sector this will involve analysing pipelines existing contracts and supporting TOC Procurement Departments to prepare for transition as per DFTO Transition Policy providing access to public sector contracts and acting as a representative were required.
• Recommend preferred supplier and if appropriate submit and present recommendation to the Executive Board for approval.
• Prepare and issue guidance on how to undertake procurement activities including providing relevant training as may be required.
• Be the teams procurement experts on ad hoc matters as required;
• Undertake various projects as requested by the Group Procurement Director and/or Head of Procurement & Contracts.
• Act as a primary procurement contact for the business.
• Plan and manage resources and workload

Knowledge Skills Experience & Technical Qualifications:

• The post holder must have a proven track-record of success as a procurement manager in a public sector procurement environment.
• At least 2 years successful track record in procurement.
• Expertise in the creation and running of competitive tenders and detailed contract negotiation.
• Ability to communicate /facilitate effectively with all levels of staff within the business and with external suppliers.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation including the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 & Procurement Regulations 2024.
• Preferable but not essential - CIPS Qualified or studying towards Professional Procurement qualification

Vacancy Details:

Duration: Fixed Term contract/secondment up to 31st October 2027
Location:London Waterloo
Salary:up to 65600
Closing date: 4th November2026

DFTO Benefits:

Annual Leave: Starting at 25 days and rising to an additional day per year of service completed within the first 5 completed years up to a maximum of 5 additional (30 days)

DC Pension Scheme: 10% Employer contribution 5% Employee contribution

Opportunities to learn and network across the wider industry

Additional Information

Disclaimer: Candidates applying for this position on a secondment basis must inform their line manager prior to submitting their application. This is to ensure transparency and facilitate any necessary discussions regarding workload and responsibilities.

About our people and the recruitment process - Were an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly as we know traditional working patterns dont always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly just let us know and well do our best to help and invest in your career with us whilst you have a healthy work life balance.

Contact: If you have any questions or reasonable adjustments please contact Amra

Please do not email any CVs to us your application must be made by clicking the Apply button.