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Operations Team Leader

Date:  27 Oct 2026
Company:  CAF Rail UK
Location: 

STOCKPORT, GB

ABOUT CAF

 

Innovation is in our DNA - we thrive on pushing boundaries and adapting to new challenges with a flexible approach. Proud to be a global leader, our fast-paced growth provides exciting opportunities for our team and the community.

 

Committed to maintaining trains and trams, our mission is to enhance vehicle safety and reliability. Our ultimate goal is to deliver a comfortable, dependable, and sustainable commuting experience for all passengers.

 

Based out of multiple locations across the UK, our 24/7 operation means we’re always on hand to deliver reliable technical support. Utilising the latest digital technology, we strive to enhance dependability, helping people to get to where they need to be!

 

We wouldn’t be where we are without our people. Working together as a team, we strive to achieve great things while supporting each other to thrive along the way. We’re going places, so apply today and become part of our exciting journey.

 

What can you expect from CAF?

 

  • Positive Work Environment: You will work in a positive environment, based on mutual respect and team spirit.
  • Professional Development: Our projects are often measured in years, sometimes decades, giving you and the organisation a future.
  • Learning and Autonomy: We will encourage you to work autonomously, being able to propose and decide 'what' and 'how'.
  • Security and Reliability: CAF has been working for over 100 years on a path that stretches into the future, giving you the security you need.
  • Cutting-edge technology: You will work with the latest technologies, facing the challenge of devising innovative approaches and solutions every day.

 

What will be your role in the company?

 

The Operational Procurement Team Leader leads the day-to-day delivery of the UK operational buying team while retaining an allocated buying workload. Reporting to the Head of Procurement, the role line-manages Operational Buyers and Junior Buyers, coordinating order placement, expediting and supplier orderbook reviews to support fleet maintenance and overhaul.

 

The role allocates work, arranges cover, manages backlogs and first-line operational escalations, and provides coaching, training and performance support. The buying portfolio must allow sufficient capacity for people management. Priorities are coordinated with Demand Planning and Operations, with major delivery or capacity risks escalated to the Head of Procurement.

 

Demand Planning owns approved demand, reorder reports, replenishment parameters and stock levels. Category Managers own strategy, sourcing and award, commercial negotiations, contracts, SLAs and strategic supplier performance; they do not line-manage buyers. The Team Leader operates within these boundaries and the approved delegation of authority.

 

 

What will make you successful in this position?

 

To succeed in this role you will need:

 

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a Procurement/Supply Chain, Business, or a related field.

Proven operational buying experience, including order placement, expediting and supplier orderbook management.

Demonstrable ability to coordinate workloads, prioritise delivery risks and interpret procurement performance measures.

Evidence of coaching, supervising or leading colleagues, including transferable leadership experience.

Strong organisational skills and sound judgement when balancing buying delivery and people responsibilities.

Experience using ERP/procurement systems and maintaining accurate purchasing records.

CIPS Level 4 qualification or working towards this qualification.

Proficient user of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

 

ABOUT WHAT WE OFFER 

 

A Real Living Wage employer and proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, RSSB Mental Health Charter and Women in Rail EDI Charter, we’ve a lot to shout about at CAF.

 

Creating a culture of inclusivity and belonging is really important to us and we’re proud to offer our people a range of benefits to support wellbeing including 25 days annual leave, an excellent workplace pension scheme (with up to 10% contribution from us), not forgetting to mention our generous health care cash plan and Bike2Work scheme just to name a few!

 

Looking for career development? Our Professional Sponsorship scheme will help you to achieve your goals while our Flexible Working policy and Family Friendly culture mean everyone is supported to thrive at CAF. 

 

As a socially responsible business, we offer paid volunteering days and promote a variety of social value initiatives, including tree-planting, company-wide donation drives, and providing support to the homeless community and refugees. We’re creating waves of positive change through delivering meaningful social value impact on and off the tracks!

 

Apply now »