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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of 800 in optimising rail services and driving operational excellence.
- Company: DB Cargo UK is the top rail freight operator, connecting supply chains across Europe.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, car allowance, bonuses, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team focused on safety, innovation, and sustainable growth in the rail industry.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in asset management, with strong safety and regulatory knowledge required.
- Other info: Flexible location near key sites; ideal for inspiring engineering leaders.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
About DB Cargo UK
DB Cargo UK, headquartered in Doncaster, is the leading UK rail freight operator and part of the DB Cargo Group, which generated €5.4 billion in revenue with 30,000 employees across 18 national companies in FY2024. The company provides safe, sustainable, and innovative logistics solutions, connecting supply chains to domestic and European markets.
Serving a diverse customer base, DB Cargo UK operates from over 130 UK locations with c2,000 employees. The business delivers construction materials, finished vehicles, bulk materials, and containerised goods, while also maintaining rail infrastructure and offering services for scheduled passenger operators. Rail freight contributes c£2.5bn to the UK economy each year, delivering £1.65bn in benefits to customers.
The Role
Reporting to the COO, The Engineering & Asset Director will be a key member of the senior leadership team and will sit on DB Cargo UK’s Operational Board. The Engineering & Asset Director will be responsible for the strategic leadership of the Asset Management and Maintenance function, overseeing a team of over 800 valued colleagues. The role involves driving operational excellence, ensuring regulatory compliance, and expanding commercial opportunities through third-party maintenance services. A strong focus on safety, innovation, and team development is essential.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement long- and short-term strategies to optimise rail services, with a focus on asset reliability, utilisation, and customer needs.
- Operational and Financial Management: Hold accountability for the engineering budget, fleet planning, and investment proposals aligned with business and customer demands.
- Commercial Development: Grow third-party maintenance services and respond to technological advancements to enhance the value proposition.
- Safety and Team Leadership: Ensure full compliance with safety regulations, promote a strong safety culture, and lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing engineering team.
The Person
This is a role well suited to an inspiring and commercially astute engineering leader with a proven track record in asset and maintenance management within a high availability environment. The ideal candidate will bring strategic vision, operational excellence, and a deep understanding of asset management within a closely aligned sector. They will be a resilient and inspirational leader, capable of driving transformation, fostering innovation, and delivering sustainable growth through both internal operations and external commercial opportunities.
The successful candidate is likely to have;
- Leadership Excellence: Proven leadership skills with experience in managing large, diverse teams and creating a high performance culture.
- Safety and Regulatory Knowledge: In depth understanding of rail safety standards (or similar) and regulatory frameworks, including ECM and WTD compliance.
- Extensive Engineering Experience: Demonstrable background in asset and maintenance management, ideally within the rail industry.
- Strategic and Commercial Acumen: Ability to develop and execute business strategies, drive profitability, and identify growth opportunities in 3rd party maintenance services.
- Analytical and Problem Solving Skills: Strong conceptual thinking with the ability to make data driven decisions and respond effectively to market and operational challenges.
Location and Package
The base location of this role is relatively flexible, but the successful candidate will live within commuting distance of one of DB Cargo UK’s key locations; Stoke, Toton, Crewe or Doncaster.
In order to attract the best talent in the market, DB Cargo will offer a competitive package which will include an attractive base salary plus car allowance and an excellent bonus with further additional benefits.
For an informal and confidential discussion, please speak with our advisors at Berwick Partners:
Colin Roope
Associate Partner – Manufacturing and Engineering Practice
T: +44 (0) 203 7442023
M: +44 (0) 7989 410186
Engineering & Asset Director (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul and 3rd Party Servicing) , DB Cargo UK employer: Berwick Partners
Contact Detail:
Berwick Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering & Asset Director (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul and 3rd Party Servicing) , DB Cargo UK
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the rail industry, especially those who have experience in asset management and maintenance. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn more about the latest trends and challenges in the sector.
✨Tip Number 2
Research DB Cargo UK thoroughly, focusing on their recent projects and strategic goals. Understanding their operational challenges and successes will help you tailor your discussions during interviews and demonstrate your genuine interest in the company.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully managed large teams in the past. Be ready to provide specific examples of how you've fostered a high-performance culture and driven operational excellence in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with the latest safety regulations and compliance standards relevant to the rail industry. Being able to speak knowledgeably about these topics will show that you are well-prepared for the responsibilities of the Engineering & Asset Director role.
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering & Asset Director (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul and 3rd Party Servicing) , DB Cargo UK
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your leadership experience, particularly in asset and maintenance management. Emphasise any relevant achievements in operational excellence and safety compliance that align with the role's requirements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the rail industry and your strategic vision for the Engineering & Asset Director role. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you can drive transformation and foster innovation.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Clearly outline your skills in regulatory knowledge, commercial development, and analytical problem-solving. Make sure to connect these skills to the responsibilities mentioned in the job description, showing how you can contribute to DB Cargo UK's success.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, thoroughly proofread your documents for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial for a senior leadership position.
How to prepare for a job interview at Berwick Partners
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As the Engineering & Asset Director, you'll be leading a large team. Be prepared to discuss your previous leadership experiences, how you've developed high-performing teams, and your approach to fostering a strong safety culture.
✨Demonstrate Industry Knowledge
Familiarise yourself with rail safety standards and regulatory frameworks relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss how your background in asset and maintenance management aligns with the expectations of DB Cargo UK.
✨Highlight Strategic Vision
Prepare to articulate your strategic vision for optimising rail services. Think about how you would develop and implement strategies that focus on asset reliability and customer needs, and be ready to share examples from your past.
✨Discuss Commercial Acumen
The role involves expanding commercial opportunities through third-party maintenance services. Be ready to talk about your experience in identifying growth opportunities and driving profitability in similar contexts.
