Join Network Rail! Where People and Connections Matter

At Network Rail, we're dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you're not just part of a team- you're part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway. 

We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To discover more about our ED&I commitments click here. We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process. 

Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our safety vision.

This role sits within Business Services, Route Services at Network Rail. Business Services is made up of two sub-business units, including Training, which is focused on developing our people. The Training function delivers high-quality learning and development opportunities, enabling colleagues to build capability, enhance performance, and progress in their careers. By supporting continuous professional development, the team plays a key role in driving individual and organisational success.

This role will establish an engineering apprenticeship academy at the Gresley Institute in Doncaster, overseeing the full project lifecycle including its infrastructure, operations, and people. The role holder will have experience of working with CDM Regulations and Site Management Safety, and/or experience of people change projects. Success will mean seeing engineering apprentices trained our of the purpose-built Gresley Institute. 

• Contract type: 12-month  FTC 

• Hours: Full-time 35 hours per week 

• Band & Salary: £71,163 - £86,801 per annum, depending on skills and experience.

• Working pattern: Hybrid working: this role permits hybrid working, employees are expected to work from a Network Rail location for 60% of their weekly hours, typically 3 days

• Closing date:  25th November 2026

Main responsibilities: 

• Lead the management of commercial and delivery activity within a given category, product and/or service. 

• Lead and inspire a team to drive the development, efficiency and effectiveness of individuals and the team as a whole.

• Lead the development of any customer relationships for which the team is responsible.  Work collaboratively to develop and implement innovative strategies which meet business requirements, maximising benefits and efficiency opportunities and minimising risk. 

• Lead the development of robust business-wide demand and prioritised opportunity forecasts for category spend. Maximise commercial advantage for the company by promoting cross-functional decision making and total cost of ownership principles, and monitor compliance to category objectives. 

• Lead the communication of scope and benefits of strategies to senior, cross functional customers and stakeholders to gain their endorsement. Own demand data and regularly communicate requirements to the supply market.

• Sponsor the delivery of all sourcing and post contract management activities to meet the needs of the category strategy, customers, and stakeholders, integrating safety and sustainability throughout the process. Maintain ownership of required outputs and benefits. 

• Lead the management of physical supply chain and logistics activities required to meet the needs of the customer.

• Monitor and manage performance against defined measures in order to continuously improve and develop the relevant category strategy, products, and services. 

• Lead the development of a range of complex strategic suppliers and manage relationships to deliver business benefit and performance optimisation from both supplier and Network Rail perspectives.

• Manage and comply with company procedures to provide appropriate resources, communication strategies, training and competencies, and evaluate fitness of staff to safely deliver their accountabilities.

Essential

• Strategic outlook, including the ability to drive delivery of strategic objectives.
• Understanding and application of best practice supply chain management within relevant market. 
• Proven track record of benefits delivery (financial and non financial).
• Highly skilled senior relationship manager experienced in managing end-to-end client, customer, and supplier relationships.
• Proven ability to lead and manage teams.
• Advanced influencing and negotiation skills to develop mutually beneficial relationships.
• Executive level stakeholder relationship management capability
• Educated to degree level or equivalent professional education, or experience.
• Experienced in managing cross functional teams.

Desirable

• CDM Regulations

• Construction Site Management / Safety

• Experience of major change or transformation projects

• Experience of capital projects

   

What's in it for you:

Here are a few of the benefits we offer: 

• 28-day annual leave with the option to buy and sell days

• Generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave to support our employees during significant life moments

• Choice of pension schemes

• 75% discount of leisure travel for you and your family 

• Private Healthcare (subject to T&Cs)

• 5 days paid volunteer or carers leave

• Up to 75% subsidised Rail and Underground travel

• Gym Pass -access to gyms across UK

• My Benefits platform- giving national and local retail discount

   

To find out more explore Working for Network Rail. Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing.  We will share further details with you as part of your formal offer. All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information. Our aim is to ensure your candidate experience is as positive as possible. If you require reasonable adjustments at any point, simply let us know and we'll do our best to assist you. Below are some examples of adjustments we can make:

1. Changing a provision, practice or 'the way things are done'
   For example, we can give candidates extra time to complete online, tasks or interviews as needed.
2. Changing a physical feature of our workplace
   For example, office/room layout can be adapted to accommodate individual needs.
3. Providing extra equipment or assistance
   For example, we can provide sign language interpreters and support workers where needed. Alternative document formats can be made available.

There are lots of other adjustments we can consider, please just ask! If you have any questions or would like to speak the Resourcing Team, please contact RSResourcing@networkrail.co.uk