14 July 2011 | Jim Carter

Jim Carter, head of policy and purchasing operations at Network Rail, advises:

1) Think of the competency profile of your ideal role, and structure your learning and development to address any gaps.

2) Join companies that you believe in. Feeling like you’re contributing to something worthwhile can carry you through the challenging days.

3) Become a problem solver within your organisation. No manager likes being passed problems.

4) Build relationships internally and externally. Procurement is a small world.