At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams to ensure safe and efficient train maintenance operations.
- Company: Join a leading rail maintenance company with a focus on safety and quality.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days annual leave, pension scheme, and healthcare cover.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with opportunities for long-term career development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a senior leadership role within a growing organisation.
- Qualifications: Experience in rail vehicle maintenance and strong people management skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
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 IMechE 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.
Senior Depot Manager - Rail Maintenance (Cambridge) employer: Dormont Manufacturing Co
Dormont Manufacturing Co is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a strong commitment to employee growth, the company provides extensive training opportunities and a comprehensive benefits package, all while supporting a flexible hybrid work model that enhances work-life balance. Join us in shaping the future of lottery solutions in a role that promises meaningful impact and professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Depot Manager - Rail Maintenance (Cambridge)
✨Connect with Local Logistic Groups
Dive into local transportation and logistics groups on platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn. Show up to their meetups if you can – it's a great way to network with industry pros who can share insights, job openings, or even refer you to their own company.
✨Get Behind the Wheel of Job Boards
Look for job boards specific to transportation and logistics, like Logistics Job Site or TransportJobs. These platforms often have listings that you won’t find on general job boards, so they’re worth checking out regularly!
✨Leverage Internships & Graduate Schemes
Many companies in transportation and logistics offer graduate schemes and internships that can pave the way to full-time positions. Don't shy away from applying; even a short stint can make a solid impact on your CV and get your foot in the door at companies like Dormont Manufacturing Co.
✨Apply Directly with Us!
When you find openings at great companies, make sure to apply directly through our website. It not only shows your initiative but also helps us to help you get noticed by Dormont Manufacturing Co. Every application gets us one step closer to landing that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Depot Manager - Rail Maintenance (Cambridge)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're applying for a role in the transportation and logistics sector at Dormont Manufacturing Co, make sure to highlight any relevant experience. Whether it's moving goods, coordinating schedules, or using transportation management software, give us the lowdown on your past gigs. It'll paint a clearer picture of what you're capable of!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in logistics! If you've optimised routes, reduced delivery times, or improved customer satisfaction, mention those incredible stats in your CV. This gives us concrete evidence of your impact and showcases your problem-solving skills.
Tailor That Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a formality—let it breathe your personality and passion for logistics! Explain why you're excited about the role at Dormont Manufacturing Co and how you can contribute to our team. Don't forget to tie in specific skills or experiences that relate to the job description.
Research and Reflect:Before you hit 'submit,' spend some time digging into Dormont Manufacturing Co. Understand our mission, values, and the specific challenges in the logistics industry. This will help you craft a targeted application that shows you truly want to be part of our crew, setting you apart from the rest!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dormont Manufacturing Co
✨Know Your Logistics Basics
Get familiar with the key principles of transportation and logistics, like supply chain management, inventory control, and route optimisation. You might get asked practical questions about how to improve efficiency, so brush up on your problem-solving skills and be prepared to discuss any relevant software tools you've used.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In logistics, employers love to gauge how you'd handle real-life situations. Expect scenario-based questions where you’ll need to demonstrate your decision-making skills, like how to manage delays or coordinate shipments during a crisis. Practise outlining your thought process clearly and logically.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Experience
Full-time roles in logistics often require collaboration with various teams, so don't forget to showcase your teamwork experience. Think of examples where you've used communication and collaboration to ensure smooth operations, and get ready to elaborate on how you can facilitate teamwork in a busy environment like at Dormont Manufacturing Co.
✨Show Off Your Attention to Detail
In our world of logistics, missing a small detail can lead to big problems. Be prepared to discuss instances where your attention to detail saved the day, whether it was engaging with clients, managing documentation, or tracking shipments accurately. This will help demonstrate how you can be a reliable asset to Dormont Manufacturing Co.
