Category Assistant

We are proud to be One Team at East Midlands Railway (EMR). We are passionate about keeping people safe, delighting our customers, doing the right thing and putting customers at the heart of our sustainable railway for the East Midlands. With over 2,600 employees, our people are the reason we are so successful. Nine times accredited as a Top Employer, we value our people and are dedicated to making sure that everybody feels empowered to bring their authentic self to work. We have an exciting opportunity to join #TeamEMR in our Procurement Department as a Category Assistant.

At EMR we want to proactively embrace diversity across our workforce and recognise that we are under-represented in terms of females and ethnic minority groups. We’re therefore taking positive steps to promote a positive and inclusive culture; we welcome applications from those that identify with these groups to better represent our communities.

Main Duties of the Role:

Manage and conduct low risk tender or quotation activity for goods, services, and one-off purchasesSupport Category Managers with activities arising from the tendering cycle, from the creation of invitations to tender packages, evaluation criteria and evaluation of responses, development of contracts and post contract activity in line with the EMR Procurement Policy and Utilities Contract Regulations 2016Provide support for Category Managers in the administration of tender exercises to ensure compliance and a clear audit trialEstablish and maintain relationships and work closely with key internal stakeholders such as budget holders, service and product users to provide a responsive and professional procurement service and to promote good procurement practices;Creation of PO’s through the Financial system to provide compliance to policies and proceduresCreate and maintain auditable and transparent records and reports to meet internal and external management information and compliance requirements.Process new supplier requests received from colleagues within EMR ensuring the Procurement Policy is adhered to and existing contracts are utilized.Management and Governance of the contracts database to ensure that contracts remain valid, and any contractual breaches are identified and resolved.

Skills and Knowledge Required

A level qualified or equivalent experienceStudying or willing to study towards Professional Diploma Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)Experience of working within a Procurement EnvironmentWorking to multiple deadlines often under time constraints without compromising qualityTeam player with the ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders internally and externally to the business. Adaptable to business change.Experience on delivering high quality customer serviceExperience of working with a governance framework as well as good level of knowledge in ICT systems, including e-procurement systems and Microsoft suiteConfidence with willingness to challenge and be challengedAbility to complete a procurement process from start to finish with some supportEffective communication skills, both written and verbal, e.g. ability to communicate at all levels in the organisationHas a flexible attitude and willing to embrace new challenges  

 As well as a competitive salary, we’ll also offer you:

A great pension schemeFree First Class duty travel on the EMR networkFree Standard Class leisure travel on the EMR networkFriends and Family discounted tickets on the EMR network75% discount on national leisure travel (inc partner and dependants)Flexible working hours32 days holiday per year

…and many more!

EMR has a hybrid working policy which is applicable for this role. Should you wish to work full time in the office this is also an option.

To apply please complete the online application form and upload your CV, as we operate blind screening please remove personal details from your CV.

We promise to treat you fairly, consistently and with respect throughout the application, assessment and selection process.

For any queries about this role please contact ian.eyre@eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk

Closing Date: 14 Aug 2025

Department: Operations

Salary: circa £30,305