Who are we?

First Rail Holdings is part of FirstGroup, the largest rail operator in the UK and second largest bus operator in the UK outside London.  FirstGroup operates services throughout the UK and Ireland, with over 30,000 employees providing services that make travel smoother and life easier.  FirstGroup works hard to reduce its impact on the environment, introducing cleaner and more environmentally responsible methods of transport.

About the job

The Procurement Administrator (Operations) is a new role and is responsible for delivering First Group's contract renewal process within the procurement function and ensuring the procurement pipeline is accurate at all times. They will report to the Procurement Operations Lead and work closely with the wider procurement team and business to ensure contracts are renewed on time, on appropriate Terms and Conditions and seek the best value. The role will contribute towards achieving our vision of becoming a best-in-class function within our industry.

This role is a key part of the wider Procurement function which is focused on delivering best value for money and promoting ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and Social Value benefits through sourcing and contracting. Key responsibilities of this role will include delivery of ‘low-value' / ‘low-risk' contracts across a wide range of categories and will involve sourcing and tendering, supplier and contract management, negotiation and contract drafting. The role will also contribute towards a savings target

Your main responsibilities will be:

• In collaboration with others, obtain quotations and proposals for centrally managed contract renewals to ensure no un-planned contracts expire across the portfolio.
• Drive value for money through effective negotiation, ensuring terms, duration and schedules are robust, fit-for-purpose and effective.
• Work collaboratively with the wider procurement team to understand current and future needs, ensuring no contract ‘falls between the gaps'.
• Work closely with wider business stakeholders promoting procurement policy and processes to raise the function's profile through clear communication and engagement.

As a minimum, you will need to have:

Essential:

• Excellent sourcing and negotiation skills
• Good understanding of contract law, across a wide range of categories
• Ability to work independently, using initiative and managing multiple tasks at any one time.
• Innovative problem-solving skills combined with a solution-oriented mindset.
• Good written and verbal communication skills with an ability to build credibility with internal stakeholders.
• A good level of proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Desirable:

• CIPS qualified or working knowledge / experience of end-to-end Procurement processes.
• Experience of working in the rail & bus sectors.
• Deeper experience of IT categories
• Working knowledge of procurement legislation and process (specifically Utilities Contract Regulations).

About the location

First Rail Holdings Ltd, 8th Floor, The Point, 37 North Wharf Road, London, E2 1AF

We all belong at First Rail Holdings. FirstGroup's vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all colleagues, across its group of businesses, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment.

We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain a zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.

We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.

We review all roles and job descriptions to ensure they are accessible and, where possible, we support and provide flexible working options; we recommend that you refer to each vacancy description for further details.

If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below.  We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/

https://www.healthassured.org/blog/neurodiversity/