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- Tasks: Manage engineering contracts that enhance fleet safety and performance.
- Company: Join Southeastern, one of Britain's busiest train operators.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension, free rail travel, and 25 days annual leave.
- Why this job: Influence high-value contracts in a dynamic, hybrid working environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering and 5+ years in an engineering role.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Are you looking for a career where you can play a key role in managing complex engineering contracts and driving best practice in commercial expertise? We are recruiting two Fleet Contract Managers to strengthen our Fleet Commercial team, based at our Head Office in London Bridge (hybrid working). This is a hands-on engineering-led contracts role, ideal for someone with an engineering background (Mechanical / Electrical) who has moved into - or is moving into - commercial and contractual responsibility.
You will manage and shape engineering contracts that directly impact fleet safety, reliability and performance, working closely with engineers, ROSCOs and suppliers across rolling stock leasing, maintenance and modification programmes. This role suits someone who enjoys pulling contracts together, influencing technical and commercial stakeholders, and maintaining a forensic level of detail while operating in a high-profile operational environment.
What you'll be doing:
- Draft, review and negotiate engineering and rolling stock contracts, including maintenance, modification and lease arrangements
- Own the end-to-end contract lifecycle - from development through to delivery and performance management
- Act as a trusted commercial partner to Engineering Managers, advising on:
- Contractual frameworks
- Warranties and performance regimes
- Commercial risk and opportunity
About you:
We’re particularly keen to hear from candidates with an engineering mindset who are comfortable operating in commercial environments.
Essential experience:
- Degree-level qualification (or equivalent experience), ideally in Mechanical / Engineering discipline
- IMechE qualified, working towards, or equivalent professional credibility
- 5+ years experience within an engineering or asset-heavy environment
- Proven experience pulling together contracts - not just administering template agreements
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence engineers, suppliers and senior leaders
- High attention to detail and strong analytical capability
Desirable:
- Rail, rolling stock, transport, defence or heavy engineering experience
- Experience working with maintenance, modification or asset-based contracts
- Sound commercial and financial awareness in technically complex settings
Why Join Us?
- Work at the intersection of engineering excellence and commercial delivery
- Influence contracts that directly impact fleet safety and performance
- Exposure to complex, high-value engineering agreements
- Hybrid working with flexibility
- Clear development pathway into senior fleet commercial or leadership roles
- Purpose-driven work supporting a safe, reliable railway
As proud members of the Armed Forces Covenant and Disability Confident Scheme, we will offer you an interview if you apply under these schemes and meet the minimum criteria for the role.
Other things to know:
This vacancy may close early if we receive a large number of applications. So, make sure you get yours in early. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references, a right to work verification, a basic criminal record check, and a pre-employment medical assessment. Work visa sponsorship isn’t available for this role. If you applied but weren’t successful in getting a similar role at Southeastern, please wait six months before applying again.
What you'll get in return:
- A final salary pension
- 25 days annual leave allowance (plus bank holidays)
- Free rail travel across our networks.
Meaning you can feel secure in your career as well as fulfilled by your work.
A bit about Southeastern:
We’re one of Britain’s busiest train operators, serving London, Kent and parts of East Sussex. We run over 1,700 trains a day, carrying more than 500,000 passengers and serving 180 stations. However, working on our railway is more than getting passengers from A to B. It’s about all the little moments that make a difference to their journey. It’s also about making our railway a great place to work. With a team that represents the communities we serve. This is a journey we’re fully committed to and we’re proud to have been named a Great Place to Work at the 2023 National Rail Awards and endorsed as a WORK180 Employer for Women.
Our ways of working are what we expect of everyone at Southeastern. They are powerful. Tiny moments, every day, from every one of us, add up to massive, positive change. Improving how it feels to work here and how it feels to travel with us. At the heart of everything we do, our Safeguarding Team works to keep our customers, colleagues, and the public safe by improving safeguarding measures and knowledge making sure everyone gets home safe, every day.
Fleet Contract Manager employer: SE Trains Ltd
Contact Detail:
SE Trains Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Fleet Contract Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and understanding their values. Tailor your responses to show how your engineering background aligns with their commercial goals. We want to see that you can bridge the gap between technical and commercial aspects!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Fleet Contract Manager, you'll need to influence stakeholders effectively. Role-play scenarios with friends or mentors to build confidence in discussing contracts and terms.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. Get your application in early to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Fleet Contract Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Fleet Contract Manager role. Highlight your engineering background and any relevant experience in managing contracts, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills: We want to see how you can influence and build relationships with various stakeholders. Include examples of how you've successfully managed relationships in previous roles, especially in commercial environments.
Be Detail-Oriented: Since this role requires a forensic level of detail, make sure your application is free from errors. Double-check your documents for accuracy and clarity, as this reflects your attention to detail.
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we get a lot of applications, so get yours in through our website as soon as you can!
How to prepare for a job interview at SE Trains Ltd
✨Know Your Contracts Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the types of engineering contracts relevant to the role. Brush up on your knowledge of maintenance, modification, and lease arrangements, as well as any specific contractual frameworks that may come up during discussions.
✨Showcase Your Engineering Mindset
Highlight your engineering background and how it informs your approach to commercial responsibilities. Be prepared to discuss specific examples where your technical expertise has influenced contract negotiations or stakeholder management.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Scenarios
Think about past experiences where you've had to influence engineers, suppliers, or senior leaders. Prepare to share these stories, focusing on how you built relationships and navigated complex situations to achieve successful outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail
Given the high standards expected in this role, be ready to discuss how you maintain accuracy and governance in contract documentation. You might even want to bring examples of your work that showcase your analytical capabilities and attention to detail.