Join the Southern Region where your work truly matters.
Covering Wessex, Sussex, and Kent, the Southern Region is one of the busiest and most dynamic parts of the railway. Our teams keep some of the UK's most vital passenger and freight routes moving every single day.
This is a place where collaboration, innovation, and resilience are key and where your contribution will directly impact millions of journeys. We are entering an exciting new chapter as we integrate with train operating companies under one national leadership, creating even greater opportunities to shape the future of rail.
From supporting major modernisation programmes to improving performance for local communities and enhancing safety across complex operational environments, Southern offers a fast-paced, rewarding environment to grow your career and make a real difference.
Network Rail's assurance function reviews procurement activities and documentation before governance approvals are granted. The ideal candidate will be able to provide independent commercial and procurement assurance across high-value, high-risk, and strategically significant procurements. They will ensure that sourcing activities comply with Network Rail governance requirements, procurement legislation, internal standards, and best practice before contracts are awarded.
Key Accountabilities -
- Develop, and continually enhance, project specific procurement strategies that compliment the National Programme Strategy and maintain security of supply and value for money and HSQE performance for a range of contracts.
- Perform the full range of procurement and contracting activities including pre-qualification, tender management, negotiation and preparation of contracts.
- Provide procurement advice on an asset wide basis relating to specific portfolio issues.
- Support pre-contract procurement of main contractors and where appropriate actively influence the procurement of sub-contracting activity by the main contractors.
- Exercise compliance with Network Rail policies, procedures and governance and legal (including EU Directives) and regulatory requirements.
- Manage a range of preferred suppliers developing positive supplier relationships aligned to business objectives.
- Identify cost reduction and efficiency opportunities and contribute to the achievement of efficiency targets for a specific portfolio.
- Manage the process for the measuring of supplier performance so that effective feedback takes place to facilitate continuous improvement.
- Exercise delegated authority to procure in accordance with established policies and governance.
Essential
- Sound commercial aptitude and sound knowledge of relevant Supplier Market.
- Varied and successful procurement and contracts background with experience of negotiation and developing and implementing procurement and contract strategies.
- Ability to communicate strategies and concepts simply and effectively and to persuade and influence stakeholders.
- Knowledge of EU Procurement Directives.
- Awareness of contract requirements safety and contract requirements environment.
Desirable
- Knowledge of e-procurement.
- Membership of relevant professional institute.
- Knowledge of the rail industry.
- Educated to degree level.
How to apply
Band & Salary: £55,596 - £67,813
Vacancy type: Perm
Location: London Blackfriars
Closing date: 22 nd July 2026.
We're an organisation where people matter. We matter to millions.
- We offer excellent benefits, including:
- Generous annual leave with the option to buy/sell days.
- Defined benefit pension scheme.
- 75% subsidy on rail and underground season tickets.
- Up to 75% off leisure travel.
- Carer's leave to support those who matter.
- Healthcare Scheme, GymPass discounts, Cycle to work plus more.
- We offer generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave to support our employees during significant life moments
Discover all our benefits and what life is like at Network Rail.- click here
Click apply now to apply.
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All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.
***Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.****
