Job Description

Location:

Newton Aycliffe, Durham, United Kingdom

Job ID:

R0110882

Date Posted:

2026-10-22

Company Name:

Hitachi Rail UK Limited

Profession (Job Category):

Other

Job Schedule:

Full time

Work Arrangement:

Hybrid

About Us

A career at Hitachi Rail will help create a legacy. With operations in every corner of the world, our work goes to the cutting-edge of digital transformation and technology. From the multi-cultural strength of our global organisation to the sustainable and innovative ways we work to bring people together, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into. And that’s where you come in.

Job Description:

Your new role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Commodity Manager to join our Procurement function, taking ownership of a portfolio of commodities supporting our Rolling Stock Manufacturing, Service and Maintenance activities.

This is a commercially focused role where you’ll manage procurement activity across the full source-to-contract lifecycle, from developing commodity and sourcing plans through to supplier evaluation, negotiation, contract award and ongoing supplier performance.

Working closely with stakeholders across the business and our supply base, you’ll have the opportunity to influence sourcing decisions, identify value-chain improvements and ensure the right commercial agreements are in place to support our operational requirements.

Some key responsibilities

• Develop and deliver commodity plans for your portfolio, aligned to the wider category strategy.
• Develop procurement and sourcing strategies for new contract opportunities.
• Identify, assess and establish suitable suppliers.
• Lead sourcing events including RFX and e-auctions.
• Evaluate supplier proposals and provide recommendations to the business.
• Lead commercial negotiations covering contract terms and provisions, through to contract approval and award.
• Support material and vendor set-up within ERP/MRP systems across Hitachi Rail entities.
• Lead contract handovers with Manufacturing, Service & Maintenance teams and Contract Managers.
• Act as an escalation point for contract claims and exceptional cases of supplier non-performance.
• Conduct supplier performance and risk reviews, including financial and capacity considerations.
• Identify and manage value-chain improvement opportunities.
• Work closely with Operational Procurement teams to support the on-time and on-budget delivery of materials and services.

About you

We’re looking for a commercially minded procurement professional who is confident managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts and working across different areas of a complex organisation.

You’ll ideally bring:

• Previous commodity management experience, although this doesn’t need to have been gained within the rail industry.
• Experience working within a manufacturing or service & maintenance environment.
• Strong supplier negotiation skills, including negotiating contractual provisions.
• A good understanding of contract law and contract drafting across different products and services.
• Strong commercial acumen and an appreciation of cost-saving methodologies such as value engineering and logistics optimisation.
• Experience of working effectively within cross-functional teams.
• Good working knowledge of SAP, including POs, Material Master, PIR and contract management.
• Experience and understanding of Contract Lifecycle Management tools.
• Good Excel and wider Microsoft Office skills.
• Excellent communication, organisation and stakeholder-management skills.
• A highly organised and methodical approach, with the motivation to work independently and solve problems.

Flexibility to travel is important. The role can involve travel between UK locations including London and Newton Aycliffe, potentially up to weekly, alongside occasional international travel depending on project requirements.

What we offer

We value the importance of all of our employees. If you would like to join our fantastic organisation, you could be entitled to:

• Competitive salary
• Potential opportunity for annual performance-related bonus
• 25 days holiday
• Pension scheme with contributions up to 9%
• Private medical insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance
• Group Income Protection
• Group Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme

We also offer additional perks for you to choose from within a flexible plan that will meet your specific needs and lifestyle.

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Thank you for your interest in Hitachi Rail. If your application is of interest, we will be in contact. Please do not hesitate to discover more about us and our latest jobs at https://www.hitachirail.com/careers.

At Hitachi Rail, there is a place for everyone. We welcome and value differences in background, age, gender, sexuality, family status, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, and world view. It is our commitment to create an inclusive environment - we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

We would be delighted if you would be one of our followers at https://www.linkedin.com/company/hitachirail