About DFT Operator
DFTO is the government’s 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 to deliver improvements by unifying and integrating train operations under common public ownership.
DFTO employs over 30,000 people, runs more than 8,500 services a day, and delivers over 640 million customer journeys annually. Around 7,000 people joined the railway family in the last year.
We work closely with the Department for Transport 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 to the handing over of contracts and ongoing 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 the transition into the public sector and to establish Group Sourcing Mechanisms.
This role underpins both DFTO’s and the Procurement Directorate’s Business Plan. In addition to TOCs, the role may be required to work with 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 that might impact your work area.
- Seek out and share experiences to develop knowledge of the team’s 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 involve others in decision making where appropriate. Display confidence when making difficult decisions, even if they are unpopular.
- Consult with others to ensure potential impacts on end users are considered. Present strong recommendations in a timely manner outlining the consideration of costs, benefits, and risks.
Working Together
- Encourage joined‑up teamwork within your own team and across other groups. Establish professional relationships with a range of stakeholders.
- Collaborate with others to share information, resources, and support. Invest time to develop a common focus and genuine positive team spirit where colleagues feel valued and respected.
- Put in place support for the wellbeing of individuals within the team, including consideration of your own needs. Make it clear that bullying, harassment, and discrimination are unacceptable.
- Actively seek and consider input from people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Key Responsibilities
Typically, the key responsibilities in this role will include (but are not limited to):
- Analyse a wide range of information, data, and market research to inform commercial options and decisions, and to shape the business need in line with the procurement strategy.
- Assess and constructively challenge specifications to ensure they are fit for purpose and draw from best practice or lessons learned from previous contracts.
- Manage procurement under a category‑style approach and challenge suppliers for additional opportunities and initiatives.
- Support the implementation of the DFTO procurement & commercial strategy by providing support for the procurement aspects of transactions.
- Manage all aspects of group procurement activity undertaken by DFTO from notice to award, including preparation and publication of notices, drafting of procurement documentation, participation in evaluation and negotiation, and selection of the successful bidder. Contribute to the development of business cases for governance bodies including DFTO, DfT, the Cabinet Office and HMT.
- Provide support to procurement competitions already underway within DFTO TOCs or within private‑sector TOCs transitioning 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, 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 where required.
- Recommend preferred suppliers and, if appropriate, submit and present recommendations to the Executive Board for approval.
- Prepare and issue guidance on how to undertake procurement activities, including providing relevant training as may be required.
- Act as the team’s procurement expert 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
- Proven track‑record of success as a procurement manager in a public‑sector procurement environment.
- At least two years of successful procurement experience.
- Expertise in creating and running competitive tenders and detailed contract negotiation.
- Ability to communicate and facilitate effectively with all levels of staff within the business and with external suppliers.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation including the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 and Procurement Regulations 2024.
- Preference for CIPS qualification or progression towards a professional procurement qualification.
Vacancy Details
Duration: Fixed‑term contract/secondment until 31 October 2027Location: London WaterlooSalary: up to £65,600Closing date: 21 July 2026
Benefits
- Annual Leave: Starting at 25 days and increasing by one day per year of service completed within the first five years, up to a maximum of 30 days.
- DC Pension Scheme: 10% Employer contribution, 5% Employee contribution.
- Opportunities to learn and network across the wider industry.
Disclaimer
Candidates applying for this position on a secondment basis must inform their line manager prior to submitting their application.
Contact: Dean.palmer@dftoperator.co.uk
#J-18808-Ljbffr…