Head of Commercial & Procurement
Caledonian Sleeper – Glasgow (Hybrid)
Permanent Contract
Full Time
37.5 hours per week
£85,000 - £90,000
ABOUT CALEDONIAN SLEEPER
Caledonian Sleeper is an iconic overnight rail journey connecting Scotland with London, operating nightly (except Saturdays), serving major cities and rural destinations.
Established in the late 19th century, Caledonian Sleeper has a long-standing reputation for comfort, hospitality and delivering a unique travel experience across the UK’s scenic routes. The service operates primarily overnight, allowing passengers to sleep comfortably on specially designed sleeper trains, arriving refreshed at their destination.
As a service operated on behalf of the Scottish Government, it is part of the UK’s public sector efforts to promote sustainable and convenient travel.
At Caledonian Sleeper, our core values of Togetherness, Respect, Integrity, and Passion underpin everything we do. We believe that fostering a collaborative, respectful and passionate approach is essential to delivering an exceptional guest experience. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve.
THE ROLE
We are looking for a Head of Commercial & Procurement who will report to the Managing Director and work collaboratively across all Caledonian Sleeper teams to provide governance, assurance, and commercial insight.
The Head of Commercial & Procurement will lead the commercial strategy for all major contracts within the business, including the required procurement exercises for major contract renewals. The role provides expert leadership and governance across Caledonian Sleeper’s commercial contracts and procurement activity. The role ensures that business contract owners are fully supported to manage their contracts effectively, consistently applying the organisation’s contract management framework, including correct recording and documentation of all contract meetings.
The postholder will also bring an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset, proactively identifying and driving ancillary revenue opportunities across the business. This role enables sustainable growth, strengthens supplier relationships, and ensures that commercial risk is effectively managed.
The role is required to embed strengthened commercial and procurement capability across Caledonian Sleeper, in line with Public Sector requirements, ensuring consistent contract management practices, enhancing commercial outcomes, and supporting the wider business in achieving operational, financial and strategic objectives.
WHAT YOU WILL DO:
Contract Management
• Serve as the organisation's subject matter expert for commercial contracts and procurement, offering proactive and high‑quality support throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Ensure contract owners follow Caledonian Sleeper’s contract management framework, including accurate and timely documentation of all contract review meetings and supplier engagements.
• Lead negotiations and resolution of significant contractual issues, ensuring outcomes that protect the business and strengthen supplier partnerships.
• Proactively identify opportunities to enhance contract performance, reduce value leakage, and improve cost efficiency.
• Maintain a central repository of up‑to‑date contract documentation, variations, and related records.
Procurement Leadership & Governance
• Oversee the full procurement lifecycle, ensuring compliance with procurement policy, governance standards, and best‑value principles.
• Maintain continuity of supply for critical goods and services, supported by strong supplier relationships and effective market insight.
• Contribute to wider organisational governance, participating in formal review processes where required.
Supplier & Commercial Relationship Management
• Support business owners in developing and managing supplier performance frameworks, ensuring delivery against contractual obligations.
• Manage key cross‑business commercial relationships, ensuring obligations are understood and delivered.
• Identify and drive ancillary revenue opportunities across the business, using entrepreneurial insight to maximise commercial return.
Leadership & Capability Development
• Lead the Commercial & Procurement function, ensuring it is resourced with individuals who can deliver to a high standard and embody Caledonian Sleeper values.
• Drive consistency and best practice in contract management through training, coaching, and assurance activities.
• Support operational leaders to develop commercial capability and awareness across the organisation.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
• Strong understanding of contract management, procurement practice, and commercial governance.
• Experience balancing commercial, legal, and operational considerations to deliver successful outcomes.
• Skilled negotiator with the ability to build trusted relationships across all levels.
• Demonstrable commercial acumen with an innovative mindset and a focus on continuous improvement.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholder groups.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• High personal integrity and commitment to ethical leadership.
• Experience of UK public sector contracting and/or rail industry is desirable but not essential.
HOW THIS ROLE ALIGNS WITH OUR VALUES
- Togetherness: Lead a cross-functional team and manage supplier relationships to deliver a consistent, safe and reliable fleet for our guests. Facilitate collaboration across operations, engineering and safety to achieve shared goals.
- Respect: Foster an inclusive, supportive environment for colleagues and suppliers. Ensure stakeholder engagement is respectful, transparent and evidence based.
- Integrity: Uphold robust governance, contractual discipline and ethical decision-making. Provide accurate reporting, clear accountability, and compliance with all regulatory and safety standards.
- Passion: Drive continuous improvement and a relentless focus on delivering an exceptional guest experience through reliable fleet performance and well-managed maintenance activities.
WHAT WE OFFER
- 25 days annual leave (plus public holidays) per annum
- Free travel on ScotRail for you and eligible family members
- Free travel on Caledonian Sleeper for you and eligible family members
- Significant discount on other UK rail travel for you and eligible family members
- Allocation of “friends and family” tickets for Caledonian Sleeper travel
- Healthcare cash plan
- HAPI Benefits membership with discounts at selected retailers, hospitality venues, gyms, etc.
- Contributory pension scheme
At Caledonian Sleeper, our mission is to connect people and places through a hassle-free, convenient travel experience — and that starts with you. Guided by our core values of Integrity, Passion, Togetherness and Respect, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every guest feels valued and every colleague is supported.
If you’re ready to bring your enthusiasm, empathy and dedication to a night-time operation that truly makes a difference, we’d love to hear from you. Join us and be part of a team that’s passionate about delivering delightful journeys, every time.
APPLICATION PROCESS
If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your CV by Thursday 19th March 2026.
Caledonian Sleeper is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all colleagues are respected, valued, and able to thrive.
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including different ages, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, neurodiversity, abilities and faiths. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. We look forward to receiving your application.