Operations Manager - Long Marston in Strensall

Porterbrook is on an exciting journey at the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre in Warwickshire, and we are looking for outstanding people to be a part of our team at the 135-acre site. We are investing £75m into the future of rail at the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre - a major commitment that includes the development of the UK’s only continuous test loop. This investment will see the site play a pivotal role in the future of the UK’s railway, as an exceptional facility to test and trial new traction technologies, securely store rolling stock and provide training in a live environment.

The UK’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train was built and is being tested by Porterbrook here, and we are also the home of the country’s largest outdoor rail exhibition, Rail Live. Our small, close-knit and passionate team based at the site ensures that everything runs smoothly across Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre each day, and we have some exciting opportunities to join them.

The Porterbrook group of companies is wholly owned by supportive long-term institutional investors, fully committed to the future of the UK rail sector.

About the role

A great opportunity for an exceptional Operations Manager to join the Porterbrook team.

Role Purpose

• To lead the safe delivery of on-time rail operations carried out at Long Marston RIC (LM RIC) through effective planning and management of the site rail operations team.
• To deliver strong operational leadership and embed a strong safe delivery culture within the rail operations team, ensuring risk-based compliance with relevant operational standards, procedures, and rules at all times.
• To be a highly visible people-focused manager, enabling high performance and strong levels of employee engagement to drive continuous improvement and deliver best-in-class rail operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Management of the LM RIC rail operations team, ensuring effective utilisation of competent resource to safely deliver rail operations plans.
• Development of rosters for the rail operations team, ensuring sufficient available resource to deliver operations plans at all times.
• Management of welfare of rail operations team members in line with company procedures.
• Lead the planning of all rail operations carried out at LM RIC, ensuring plans are suitably prioritised, and effectively visualised & communicated to the rail operations team and all other affected stakeholders on a daily basis.
• Chair daily and weekly rail operations planning meetings.
• Work with the Operations Trainer & Assessor to ensure that rail operations team members have the required competence to carry out the full range of their duties and that such competence is maintained at all times.
• Work with the Operations Safety & Standards Manager to implement the fatigue risk management system (FRMS) to proactively monitor levels of fatigue within the rail operations team, and enable timely intervention to mitigate associated risk.
• Work with the Operations Safety & Standards Manager to ensure that operational standards, procedures, and rules are fit for purpose and are effectively implemented, regularly reviewed, and updated to incorporate best practice.
• Carry out operational audits and quality checks to proactively monitor levels of compliance with operational standards, procedures, and rules - and to identify areas of good practice.
• Develop and implement a suite of KPIs to enable proactive monitoring of operational delivery performance - delivering or exceeding against agreed targets.
• Management of capacity planning within all yards and sidings across the site to support pipeline planning.
• Act as the main point of contact for external rail operations customers/stakeholders and third-party suppliers.
• Gain, and maintain depot driving and shunting competence to enable such duties to be performed as a contingency measure as required.
• Ensure all operational safety events and near misses are reported and investigated in a timely manner.
• Assist the Operations Safety & Standards Manager with the production, review, and update of risk assessments to cover the full scope of rail operations at LM RIC to ensure associated safety risk is managed to a level As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP).
• Ensure operations notices, bulletins, and urgent safety alerts are produced and briefed to all affected parties in a timely manner - and displayed on the operations notice board.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to the Operations Team Leader to support continued development and enable robust operations management cover capability during periods of absence.
• Responsible for the delivery of operations team actions and recommendations following audit, inspections, and investigation findings.
• Attend rail operations meetings with and/or on behalf of the General Manager - Operations & Safety as required.
• Carry out projects as required by the General Manager - Operations & Safety as required.
• Source external rail operations support as required.

Skills / Experience

What you’ll need to have:

• Thorough knowledge of training driving, and shunting techniques within depots, yards & sidings.
• Previous line management of rail operations teams - including train drivers and/or shunters.
• Formal management qualification (Desirable).
• IOSH Managing Safely (Desirable).
• Trained Accident Investigator.
• Personal Track Safety (Desirable).
• Behavioural Based Safety training (Desirable).
• Excellent knowledge of railway operations (Mainline & Depot).
• Conversant with the Railway Rule Book.
• Familiar with relevant Health & Safety Legislation and Rail Industry Standards.
• Knowledge of ORR guidance document Managing Staff Competence - Railway Safety Publication 1.
• Excellent knowledge of non-technical skills in a railway operational environment.

It would be great if you also had:

• Extensive experience in performing rail operations including train driving (mainline & depot), and shunting.
• Previous experience in leading/managing rail operations teams.
• Demonstrable experience of delivering a positive and sustaining safe delivery culture in an operational environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong people leadership skills, with the ability to inspire teams.

A great place to work

People are the heart of Porterbrook. Our close-knit team is diverse, supportive and flexible. We have a collaborative work ethic both within the company and with our customers and suppliers. In recognition of this we have been awarded:

• Investors in People Gold accreditation.
• Investors in People We Invest in Wellbeing Gold accreditation.
• National Rail Awards 2023 Fleet Achievement of the Year.
• National Rail Awards 2023 Safety Achievement of the Year.

These accolades reflect the company’s dedication to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace where employees are empowered to thrive.

Our benefits

We are seeking the very best talent to join the team, and offer an excellent salary, along with bonus and benefits. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a great organisation with outstanding people and a road map for the future to grow and develop the business. Some of our benefits are listed below:

• 1.5x employer contributory pension scheme.
• Financial wellbeing support.
• Flexible working.
• Enhanced family friendly policies.
• Adoption & Shared Parental Leave benefits.
• Enhanced Armed Forces policies.
• Ongoing support with professional and personal development.
• Long service awards.
• Porterbrook Star awards.
• Healthcare cash plan.
• 25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays + option to buy and sell up to 5 days additional leave.
• Additional days annual leave for long service.
• Season ticket loan.

Should you be suitable for the role, the full benefits package will be discussed in more detail during your screening call.

Equal Opportunities

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us on our journey.

Accessibility

We’re committed to helping you perform at your best throughout the recruitment process. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please get in touch with us. We’ll be happy to discuss how we can assist.

To apply

Please follow the link at the top of this page to send your CV and a covering email with full details of why you would be a great addition to the Porterbrook team, along with details of your current salary and notice period. This vacancy may close at any time once sufficient applications have been received. Early submission of your application is therefore encouraged.

What happens next?

Once your application has been reviewed, our recruitment team will be in contact. Our interview process is typically two stages to ensure a thorough evaluation while providing a chance for you to showcase your skills and fit for our team. This approach allows us to engage in meaningful discussions, assess your qualifications more comprehensively, and ensure a mutual alignment with our company values. If you’re ready to take the next step in your career, we look forward to meeting you!