Depot Manager in Cambridge

Depot Manager – Cambridge

Location

Cambridge

Contract

Permanent

Hours

Average 37.5 hours per week (rotational days & nights)

Reporting to

Regional Operations Manager (South)

The Role

We are looking for an experienced and motivated

Depot Manager to lead our Light Maintenance operation at our Cambridge depot.

This is a key leadership role with full accountability for depot operation, people management, safety, quality, and performance delivery.

You will play a critical role in ensuring trains are delivered safely, on time, and to exacting standards, while driving continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and a strong safety culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, inspire, and develop depot supervisory and maintenance teams to meet production targets and customer requirements.
• Take full accountability for depot operations, safety, quality, facilities, and performance.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant Health & Safety legislation, company rules, and industry standards.
• Manage depot processes in line with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and RM3 requirements.
• Prepare, manage, and control the annual depot budget and forecasts.
• Act as a senior point of contact for customers and key stakeholders.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement across safety, quality, and productivity.
• Oversee competence management, audits, and accurate operational reporting.
• Provide clear management information and KPIs for internal and external stakeholders.
• Support business development activities and input into bids for new work.
• Participate in the senior on‑call management rota.
• Customer & Stakeholder Focus
• Deliver consistently high standards of service aligned with customer expectations.
• Maintain strong relationships with customers and key stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to improve service delivery, maximise revenue, and reduce costs.
• People Leadership
• Recruit, develop, mentor, and coach high‑performing teams.
• Deliver effective communication through regular briefs and engagement sessions.
• Manage performance, wellbeing, employee relations, and succession planning.
• Complete performance reviews and support ongoing training and development.
• Authorise payroll and ensure accurate people‑related processes.

About You

You will be an experienced depot, operations, or maintenance leader with a strong background in rail vehicle maintenance or a similar regulated engineering environment.

Essential / Desirable Experience & Qualifications

• Experience managing rail vehicle maintenance and depot operations.
• Strong understanding of health, safety, and environmental standards.
• Proven people management and leadership experience.
• Ability to carry out risk assessments and drive safe systems of work.
• Knowledge of ISO management systems (9001 / 14001 / 45001).
• Engineering qualification (BTEC, City & Guilds or equivalent) – desirable.
• ILM Level 3 (People Management) or similar – desirable.
• Membership of IMech E or IET – desirable.
• Full UK driving licence.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and decision‑making skills.
• Confident communicator with the ability to engage at all levels.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
• Strong IT capability (Microsoft 365; SAP / Maximo advantageous).
• Comfortable working flexibly, including days, nights, and on‑call.

What We Offer

• 26 days annual leave, inclusive of standard UK bank holidays.
• Pension scheme.
• Life assurance and healthcare cover.
• Arriva UK Trains Travel Pass.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Arriva Village retailer discount scheme.
• A senior leadership role with real operational impact.
• Long‑term career development within a growing organisation.
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