Assistant Procurement Manager

Application Deadline: 22 May 2026

Department: Commercial

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Milton Keynes

Description

East West Rail is an infrastructure programme linking communities between Oxford and Cambridge. The area is currently let down by a lack of transport choices, and we have a once in a generation opportunity to fix that - improving prosperity for people and places along the way.

East West Railway Company (that's us) was created by the Department for Transport (DfT) to oversee the delivery of East West Rail from construction through to wheels in motion, making sure the railway comes together in the right way.

At East West Railway Company, we're committed to building an inclusive railway for all. We believe that to do that, we must nurture a diverse team that represents the UK communities that we impact. Our approach is simple - to create an environment where everyone is welcome and able to be themselves.

We celebrate diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications of all backgrounds and experiences.

Reporting into a Procurement Manager, the Assistant Procurement Manager will support the development and delivery of procurement and category management activity across a range of services and supplies spend areas, ensuring value for money, compliance with public procurement regulations and internal governance.

Working within close-knit team of Category Managers, the Assistant Procurement Manager will contribute to procurement planning and tendering activities, helping to achieve strong commercial outcomes for the organisation.

This position is well-suited to individuals looking to advance their procurement career by gaining hands-on experience across diverse spend categories within the public sector and a nationally significant infrastructure programme.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in the development and implementation of procurement strategies for large-scale and complex works contracts.
• Lead procurement activity for medium and low spend / complexity contracts.
• Support the end-to-end procurement process, from tendering to contract award, including the preparation and issue of tender documents, evaluation of proposals, and management of the selection process.
• Conduct market analysis to identify potential suppliers and assess market conditions, supporting market engagement activities.
• Ensure compliance with procurement regulations and internal policies throughout the procurement process, including the issue of relevant public notices and reporting to the Cabinet Office and DfT.
• Collaborate with the contract management team to ensure a smooth transition post-contract award and support Contract Management through any stage 1 contracts or early contractor involvement.
• Monitor and report on procurement performance, identifying and addressing any issues in collaboration with senior procurement staff.
• Maintain and manage supplier relationships, ensuring effective communication and coordination with suppliers.
• Take responsibility of your own and others' health and safety by adopting and working to the EWR Co Health and Safety principles.
• Demonstrates a cost-conscious mindset, keeping tax payers' money at the forefront of decisions.
• Shows a commitment to innovation by proactively seeking creative solutions to challenges and opportunities.
• Act as a role model for EWR Co's vision and behaviours, working in ways that are aligned with EWR Co's Ways of Working, as well as encouraging and supporting others to do so too.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Previous experience in a procurement support role, preferably within the construction or infrastructure industry.
• Strong understanding of procurement principles, methodologies, and regulations.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively within a team and with external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in procurement software and tools
• Basic understanding of market analysis and supplier relationship management.
• Working towards (or willingness to work towards) Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) membership.
• Familiarity with NEC forms of contract would be advantageous.

This job description provides an outline of the key responsibilities of the role; however, this is not exhaustive, and duties may reasonably change as the business evolves.

Benefits

• Competitive salary that reflects your skills and experience
• Up to 12% employer pension contribution to support your future
• 36 days annual leave (including bank holidays) plus the option to buy up to 2 extra days
• 2 volunteering days, a chance for you to give back to the community
• Enhanced family-friendly policies to support you and your loved ones
• Life assurance (4x your annual salary) for peace of mind
• Employee Assistance Programme for confidential support when you need it
• Access to Perkbox for a wide range of discounts and wellbeing benefits
• Recognition programme, including on-the-spot and annual awards
• Advanced learning and development opportunities to help you grow.

EWR Co strives to embrace a flexible working environment, where a degree of flexibility is maintained to accommodate both the needs and preferences of employees and what is required to achieve business objectives. EWR Co will always work with any individual to assess and accommodate an individual's work life balance and style.

Diversity and Inclusion:

To discover the best solutions, it's important we embrace diversity of thought. That's why we aim to ensure our colleagues feel included, engaged and valued. Inclusiveness is not a buzzword, but a way of being. Our approach to diversity is simple - a workplace where everyone is welcome and everyone is encouraged to be themselves. It helps fuel our innovation and connects us with the customers and communities we serve.