Job Description

Job Ref:

DOH1082

Branch:

DFT Operator

Location:

London

Salary/Benefits:

68,000 to 95,000 - depending upon experience.

Contract type:

Fixed Term

Hours:

Full Time

Hours per week:

37.5

Posted date:

11/07/2025

Closing date:

25/07/2025

Commercial Manager (Procurement)

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 deliver improvements in the here and now by unifying and integrating train operations under common public ownership.



DFTO has over 23,000 employees, runs over 6,000 services a day and delivers over 450 million customer journeys across its networks every year. This accounts for 26% of total UK passenger journeys and 30% of passenger miles.



Major improvements are being delivered by DFTO train operators (TOCs) that are already under public ownership - these are LNER, Northern, TransPennine Express (TPE), Southeastern and South Western Railway (SWR).



This is an incredibly exciting time to join DFTO as we transition previously privately owned train operators into public ownership and onward into Great British Railway , bringing track and train brought closer together .



Our this journey our ambition is to deliver safe, secure and sustainable transport to everyone, everywhere. At the heart of this promise is improving journeys and providing customers with an excellent service, while supporting the industry to build a more passenger-focused railway.



Our vision is to unify and strengthen train operators under the DFTO banner. By working collaboratively, we aim to become industry-leading in safety, customer service, financial sustainability and operational performance.

Vacancy Details

Duration:

2 year FTC

Location:

London, Waterloo Office

Salary:

68,000 to 95,000 depending on skills, experience and internal alignment. Most fully experienced candidates are expected to be appointed in the range of 75,000 to 90,000.

Reporting to:

Head of Commercial

Primary Purpose of Job:

This role will implement the commercial strategy for DfT Operator Limited (DFTO), with a focus on rolling stock and non passenger revenue generation.



The role supports the Head of Commercial within the Rolling Stock and universal contracts portfolio; and works with Train Operators (TOC) Procurement Departments and supplier management staff across DFTO and TOCs to source group wide rolling stock, maintenance contracts and services, ancillary revenue contracts and global portfolio contracts.



This role underpins both DFTO's and the Procurement Directorate's Business Plan. In addition to TOCs, the role is required to work directly with suppliers such as ROSCOs, DfT, RNP, external stakeholders such as Network Rail, Crown Commercial Services, and other Government bodies.

Key Competencies:

Managing a Quality Service:

Demonstrate positive customer service by understanding the complexity and diversity of customer needs and expectations. Deliver a high quality, efficient and cost effective service by considering a broad range of methods for delivery. Ensure full consideration of new technologies, accessibility and costings. Make clear, practical and manageable plans for service delivery. Ensure adherence to legal, regulatory and security requirements in service delivery. Proactively manage risks and identify solutions. Establish how the business area compares to industry best practice. Create regular opportunities for colleagues, stakeholders, delivery partners and customers to help improve the quality of service.

Communicate Influence:

Communicate with others in a clear, honest, and enthusiastic way in order to build trust with TOCs, external stakeholders including suppliers, DfT, GBR and other government bodies. Explain complex issues in a way that is easy to understand, considering people's individual needs. Deliver difficult messages with clarity and sensitivity, being persuasive when required. Consider the impact of the language used. Remain open-minded and impartial in discussions, whilst respecting the diverse interests and opinions of others. Introduce different methods for communication, including making the most of digital resources whilst getting value for money.

Delivering at Pace:

Ensure everyone clearly understands and owns their roles, responsibilities and business priorities. Give honest, motivating and enthusiastic messages about priorities, objectives and expectations to get the best out of people. Comply with legal, regulatory and security requirements in service delivery. Set out clear processes and standards for managing performance at all levels. Ensure delivery of timely quality outcomes, through providing the right resources to do the job, reviewing and adjusting performance expectations and rewarding success. Maintain your own levels of performance in challenging circumstances and encourage others to do the same.

Key Responsibilities:

Implementation of the DFTO rolling stock commercial strategy through executing rolling stock procurements. Operator spend on the rolling stock portfolio each year is 4.5bn, with this role responsible for contracts worth 2.25bn per annum, in conjunction with the Commercial Manager (finance); Lead on development and deployment of new template contractual documents for new build procurements, existing fleet procurements, lease extensions and direct awards, maintenance procurement and refurbishment procurements, along with a modification process. Template lease documents will include, but not be limited to Operating Lease (OL), Manufacturer and Supply Agreement (MSA), Train Services Agreement (TSA), Technical Support and Spares Supply Agreement (TSSSA)) and Direct Agreements (or equivalent), to be amended as required for each call off order under the framework for new build orders, with templates also in place in other areas a required such as heavy maintenance agreements and standardisation of wet, dry and soggy lease agreements. This will also include template financing agreements associated with leases to reduce price escalation over time, in line with the future funding model to be proposed by the national strategy. Use of template documents to negotiate cost savings with financing companies including ROSCOs, manufacturing and maintenance companies. Lead the introduction of a new dynamic market for rolling stock manufacturers and maintenance companies, consisting of a pool of pre-qualified bidders to reduce procurement costs and facilitate market engagement. For new build rolling stock, lead the development and introduction of a small number of frameworks based on the first set of national standardised rolling stock specifications based around service types (e.g. metropolitan/commuter, rural/regional, inter-urban, intercity/high speed and speciality configurations such as airport service adaptations in the main service types), and including key terms and conditions, pricing, potential volumes, order scheduling etc. Reduce costs long term through standardise specifications and greater interoperability. Development and introduction of template procurement documents for all types of rolling stock procurements, which for new build orders would describe how call off orders will be requested and bids evaluated on a whole life cost and maintenance cost basis, and how options for additional units will be managed. Lead on all aspects of rolling stock procurement activity undertaken by DfTO from notice to award including preparation and publication of notices, drafting of procurement documentation for individual competitions, participation in evaluation and negotiation and selection of the successful bidder. With the Commercial Manager (finance) and operators, preparation of business cases for governance bodies including DfTO, DfT, Cabinet Office and HMT; Provision of support to rolling stock competitions which are already underway either within DFTO TOCs or within private sector TOCs which transition into DFTO while procurements are in flight including undertaking due diligence on commercial elements of transactions as required - total value of live procurements is currently around 8bn; Line management of two DFTO Commercial Analysts. Project management of operator staff as part of teams delivering individual procurements. Indirect line management of external advisor staff from legal, technical and financial consultancy firms Deliver better value for money across the rolling stock portfolio by working in collaboration with other Commercial Managers to identify and propose efficiencies and innovations to reduce cost; Undertake procurement tasks on portfolio level universal contracts as required; Identification and development of 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, to contribute to the 150m 3 year savings target;. Preparation and publication of guidance on how to undertake procurement activities including providing relevant training to operators, suppliers etc as may be required. Undertake various projects as requested by the Group Procurement Director and/or Head of Commercial.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience Technical Qualifications:

The post holder must have a proven track-record of success as a senior procurement manager in a public sector environment:


At least 5 years' experience and successful track record in transactional procurement within rail, including some experience of rolling stock procurements. Proven experience in end to end procurement processes from publication of notices, pre-qualification and down selection, production of tender documentation, negotiation and evaluation, contract drafting and procurement processes up to and after contract award. Experience of common e-procurement tools. A proven self-starter who can identify opportunities and requirements and work on their own initiative. Able to present complex information clearly to decision makers in support of commercial agreements and contract terms. Excellent communication and relationship management skills, able to work with stakeholders across different organisations. A strong team player, able to operate across multiple levels and drive engagement and demonstrate leadership when delivering projects. Flexible and able to manage and prioritise changing business needs and workloads. CIPS qualification and educated to degree level is desirable but not essential.

Some of our benefits:

Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered.



Annual Leave 25 days



Opportunities to learn across the wider industry



10 % pension contribution



Plus more....

Additional Information...

Contact:

If you have any questions or reasonable adjustments, please contact Jason Blakemore

.

About our people and the recruitment process - We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don't always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we'll do our best to help and invest in your career with us, whilst you have a healthy work life balance.

Disclaimer: Candidates applying for this position on a secondment basis must inform their line manager prior to submitting their application. This is to ensure transparency and facilitate any necessary discussions regarding workload and responsibilities.