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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 additional perks.
- 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; must be near key sites like Stoke, Toton, Crewe, or Doncaster.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ 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)
M: +44 (0)
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
Research DB Cargo UK thoroughly. Understand their operations, values, and recent developments in the rail freight industry. This knowledge will help you tailor your conversations and demonstrate your genuine interest during networking or interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the rail industry, especially those with experience in asset management and maintenance. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with potential colleagues or mentors who can provide insights into the role and company culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and experiences in managing large teams. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven operational excellence and fostered a high-performance culture in previous roles, as this is crucial for the Engineering & Asset Director position.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and technologies in asset management and maintenance within the rail sector. Being able to discuss how these advancements can be leveraged at DB Cargo UK will set you apart as a forward-thinking candidate.
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. Mention specific examples of how you've driven transformation and innovation in previous positions.
Highlight Relevant Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on roles that demonstrate your ability to manage large teams and develop high-performance cultures. Include metrics or outcomes that showcase your success in similar environments.
Showcase Safety Knowledge: Given the importance of safety in this role, be sure to mention your understanding of rail safety standards and regulatory frameworks. Provide examples of how you've ensured compliance and promoted a strong safety culture in past roles.
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 leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully managed diverse teams in the past. Highlight any initiatives you've implemented that fostered a high-performance culture.
✨Demonstrate Safety Knowledge
Safety is paramount in this role. Brush up on rail safety standards and regulatory frameworks relevant to the industry. Be ready to discuss how you've ensured compliance in previous roles and how you would promote a strong safety culture at DB Cargo UK.
✨Discuss Strategic Vision
The role requires a strategic mindset. Prepare to articulate your vision for optimising rail services and asset management. Think about how you can align operational excellence with customer needs and share any past experiences where you've successfully executed similar strategies.
✨Highlight Commercial Acumen
DB Cargo UK is looking to expand its third-party maintenance services. Be ready to discuss your experience in commercial development and how you've identified growth opportunities in previous roles. Use specific examples to illustrate your ability to drive profitability and respond to market challenges.
