Procurement Manager - Engineering

Job Description

BUSINESS FUNCTION: Finance
SALARY: Starting from £48,048
ROLE TYPE: Hybrid
HOURS: 37 per week
LOCATION: York

Procurement Manager – Engineering

People come to Northern for trains they can rely on and teams they can trust. Our procurement function plays a quiet but powerful role in making that happen. As part of our team at Northern, you’d be right at the centre of keeping the railway moving, guiding the contracts and supplier partnerships that equip our engineers with everything they need – from specialist tooling and crucial spares to complex systems and major commodities.

This is a strategic role with plenty of hands-on moments. You’d lead a small, talented team and shape sourcing activity that supports engineering projects across the business. Every contract you deliver helps strengthen the network, improve reliability and contribute to a smoother journey for millions of people across the North.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll take ownership of a portfolio of engineering procurement categories and work closely with colleagues across multiple functions to support their plans and project pipelines. Your day-to-day would include:

• Building and managing procurement programmes for major engineering projects with clear milestones

• Developing sourcing strategies alongside key stakeholders

• Producing tender documentation and running the end-to-end procurement process

• Identifying the most effective commercial solutions and securing the approvals to move forward

• Providing progress updates and insight to senior stakeholders

• Offering support, coaching and guidance to others in the procurement team and wider function

About you

You understand what it takes to deliver procurement in a complex, regulated environment. Engineering or technical categories feel familiar to you, and you know how to balance day-to-day operational needs with longer-term planning.

You’ll bring:

• Strong procurement experience in engineering, technical or capital-intensive settings

• Confidence navigating legal frameworks such as the Procurement Act 2023 and the Utilities & Public Contracts Regulations 2016

• A proactive, problem-solving mindset

• The ability to collaborate and build trust with colleagues at every level

• Clear communication skills – able to explain complex ideas in a straightforward way

If you have MCIPS or are working towards it, that’s a bonus – but not a deal-breaker. What matters is your ability to think strategically, work collaboratively and make things happen.

What’s in it for you?

At Northern, we don’t just value our people – we go the extra mile to support them. Here’s a taste of what you can look forward to:

• Free Travel: Unlimited free travel for you, your partner, and your dependents on Northern services. Plus up to 75% discount on other networks in the UK and Europe.

• Generous Pension Scheme: We top up your contributions by 1.5 times.

• Enhanced Family Benefits: We offer 9 months of full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks for paternity leave.

• Cycle to Work Scheme: Save up to 42% on a bike and spread the cost.

• Exclusive Discounts: From shopping to wellbeing, Northern Perks has you covered.

• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support for family, lifestyle, and more.

• Training and Career Development: We offer tailored training to our colleagues and opportunities to gain recognised qualifications. Plus enhanced career pathways no matter what part of the business you’re in.

• Recognition: We know how important it is to show how much we appreciate our people. That’s why we have our Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards, recognising and celebrating brilliance every day.

Why Northern?

We’re more than just a train operator. We’re the heartbeat of the North – connecting communities, creating opportunities, and driving sustainable growth. With 2,500 trains running daily, we’re on a mission to improve rail travel and enhance the customer experience while protecting the environment.

Back in 1825, the first passenger train set off in the North of England, after which rail quickly spread across the globe – and this year, we’re celebrating 200 years of the modern railway. As we look back on the historic events that led us here, we also look towards the future as we move into the era of Great British Rail. Join us at this pivotal moment in rail history and play your part in our journey.

A place for everyone

The best journeys happen when everyone feels welcome on board.

At Northern, we don’t just move people from A to B – we’re building a team where everyone feels they belong. Our talent team can make reasonable adjustments to the process if that’s something you need. We're also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer, so if you meet the minimum criteria for the role, we’ll always offer an interview.

We automate parts of our screening process to remove any unconscious bias and to make sure every application is treated fairly. All successful offers will be subject to a DBS check and a medical assessment.

No matter your background, experience, or whether you call it a bap, barm, or cob… there’s a place for you here in the railway.