At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and motivate train cleaning teams to ensure top-notch service and standards.
- Company: Join Northern, the heartbeat of the North, transforming rail travel.
- Benefits: Enjoy free travel, generous pension, exclusive discounts, and tailored training.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for career growth and recognition.
- Why this job: Be a key player in enhancing customer experience and making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in team leadership and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 37000 £ per year.
As part of our Train Presentation team, you won’t just be a cleaning supervisor – you’ll be the driving force that keeps our teams motivated, our trains looking their best, and our passengers satisfied. Covering multiple sites, this is a role for someone who knows how to lead from the front: hands-off when things are running smoothly, hands-on when you’re needed. You won’t be cleaning trains yourself, but you’ll be out on the ground – guiding, supporting, setting standards, and making sure everyone understands what “great” looks like. And when things go off track, you’ll be the calm, confident voice who steps in, makes decisions, has the tough conversations, and helps put things right.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Leading, motivating, and organising train presentation teams across multiple depots
- Being a visible presence on site, checking in with teams, offering support, and making sure standards are being met
- Managing rotas, site visits, inspections, and performance checks to keep everything running smoothly
- Encouraging a culture of continuous improvement, coaching your teams to take pride in their work and confidence in their skills
- Helping colleagues thrive, especially those who may be newer to the language or environment, with patience, encouragement and support
- Using Excel and other digital tools to manage tasks and keep records up to date
- Travelling between sites when needed, supporting operations across the business
- Managing absence, performance and behaviours, including having the confidence to handle challenging conversations when they’re needed
Plus, you’ll be responsible for your own administration, including:
- Managing your diary, organising meetings, and coordinating room bookings
- Writing letters, communicating updates, and issuing feedback or meeting invites in line with Northern’s policies
- Making sure documentation is clear, professional and completed on time
About You
- You’ve successfully led and supervised teams before, ideally in a fast-paced, industrial or operational setting
- You’re a strong, patient communicator, able to support people with different needs, abilities, and confidence levels
- You’re comfortable having challenging conversations and know how to hold people to account in a fair, supportive way
- You’re confident making clear decisions, speaking up when needed, and setting expectations for others
- You’re confident with Microsoft Excel and happy using other digital tools to keep everything on track
- You’re calm under pressure and bring a structured, solution‑focused approach to your work
- You have a full, clean driving licence and have held it for at least two years (essential for insurance purposes)
- You understand the basics of health and safety (including COSHH), or you’re willing to learn
Experience in train cleaning isn’t essential, but if you’ve worked in an operational, industrial, or behind‑the‑scenes rail environment, that’s a real advantage.
Important to know
- Be at least 18 years old at the time of application
- Currently live within 45 minutes of our Heaton depot
- Have held a full UK driving licence for at least two years (for insurance purposes)
- Pass a safety critical medical assessment (including drugs and alcohol screening)
- Have no defective colour vision
What’s in it for you?
- Free Travel: Unlimited free travel for you, your partner, and your dependents on Northern services. Plus up to 75% discount on other networks in the UK and Europe.
- Generous Pension Scheme: We top up your contributions by 1.5 times.
- Enhanced Family Benefits: We offer 9 months of full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks for paternity leave.
- Cycle to Work Scheme: Save up to 42% on a bike and spread the cost.
- Exclusive Discounts: From shopping to wellbeing, Northern Perks has you covered.
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support for family, lifestyle, and more.
- Training and Career Development: We offer tailored training to our colleagues and opportunities to gain recognised qualifications. Plus enhanced career pathways no matter what part of the business you’re in.
- Recognition: We know how important it is to show how much we appreciate our people. That’s why we have our Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards, recognising and celebrating brilliance every day.
Why Northern?
We’re more than just a train operator. We’re the heartbeat of the North – connecting communities, creating opportunities, and driving sustainable growth. With 2,650 trains running daily, we’re on a mission to improve rail travel and enhance the customer experience while protecting the environment. Back in 1825, the first passenger train set off in the North of England, beginning a journey that would transform travel across the world. We’ve recently celebrated 200 years of the modern railway and, as we reflect on that legacy, our focus is now on the future as Great British Rail takes shape. Join us at this pivotal moment in rail history and play your part in our journey.
A place for everyone
The best journeys happen when everyone feels welcome on board. At Northern, we don’t just move people from A to B - we’re building a team where everyone feels they belong. Our talent team can make reasonable adjustments to the process if that’s something you need. We’re also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer, so if you meet the minimum criteria for the role, we’ll always offer an interview. We automate parts of our screening process to remove any unconscious bias and to make sure every application is treated fairly. All successful offers will be subject to a medical assessment. No matter your background, experience, or whether you call it a bap, barm, or cob… there’s a place for you here in the railway.
Train Cleaning Supervisor in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: Northern
Northern trains is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work culture in the heart of Manchester. Employees benefit from comprehensive training, opportunities for professional growth, and a strong emphasis on teamwork, making it an ideal environment for those looking to thrive in a fast-paced rail control setting. With a commitment to safety and customer service, Northern trains ensures that every team member plays a vital role in delivering exceptional travel experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Train Cleaning Supervisor in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨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 Northern.
✨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 Northern. Every application gets us one step closer to landing that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Train Cleaning Supervisor in Newcastle upon Tyne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're applying for a role in the transportation and logistics sector at Northern, 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 Northern 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 Northern. 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 Northern
✨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 Northern.
✨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 Northern.
