Electric Fleet Engineering Manager

As part of the Transport UK Group, West Midlands Trains delivers around 1,300 train journeys a day, for more than 60 million passengers a year, across our two brands – London Northwestern & West Midlands Railways.

We are committed to delivering a safe and reliable train service, by investing in our fleet of trains, stations and employees. As part of this investment we are looking to recruit a Electric Fleet Engineering Manager, on a full-time, permanent basis, based in Birmingham with travel across our network.

You will lead and manage the Fleet Engineering and Technical Support activities for the diesel or electric fleets operated by West Midlands Trains (WMT), for achieving and maintaining significant improvement to the performance and reliability of WMT\’s fleet.

What does the job involve?

• Provide day-to-day management of the designated team of Fleet and Technical Engineers.
• Lead and direct the team of Fleet and Technical Engineers to provide an Engineering technical support service for the diesel or electric fleets operated and maintained by West Midlands Trains (WMT) or a third party, including documentation, tooling, warranty and maintenance system support.
• Lead the development of the diesel or electric fleets to improve reliability, safety and performance through vehicle modification, maintenance and training specification, and production process improvements. Where necessary produce and submit investment case proposals to secure funding. Engage with production colleagues to ensure documentation of remedial actions to support the understanding of root cause.
• Develop suitable KPIs to track fleet reliability and safety performance, and present to the depot reliability team.
• Develop and monitor the implementation of modifications, special checks and concessions/deferred work to ensure completion in a timely manner.
• Monitor and improve safety, environmental and cost effectiveness of the fleets in order to improve service quality KPIs.
• Review all safety related events that occur on all fleets within the team managed and ensure appropriate action is taken across all applicable fleets to maintain safe operation.
• Ensure change management packs for all maintenance, repair and presentation are correct before submission to the Fleet Approvals Engineer.
• Provide technical investigations into incidents with suitable root cause analysis to the Head of Fleet Technical & Performance with proposals for mitigating.
• Responsible for issuing new and updated technical procedures and processes for relevant fleets managed to ensure fleet engineers continue to provide consistent, safe and compliant practices.
• Ensuring best practice is communicated throughout the team.
• Responsible for ensuring Fleet Engineers manage all Engineering Incidents for their allocated Fleets including NIRs, SRDs, RAIB investigations etc. in a timely manner, whilst ensuring they are reviewed regularly with relevant parties including ROSCOs and Train Manufacturers and reported to the Fleet Safety Manager.
• Oversee BUGLE compliance and action by the respective responsible managers.
• Monitor impact minutes and cancellations on a day to day basis and generate reports against targets as required.
• Provide support to production for the provision of warranty and calibration services.
• The Fleet Engineering Manager may also be required to carry out the role of Fleet Engineer on one or more fleets within his / her asset group, when required.
• The Fleet Engineering Manager will at times be required to deputise for the Head of Fleet Technical & Performance.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade and post and as required.

What skills and experience do I need to do the job?

• Have served an apprenticeship or equivalent, supported by appropriate technical studies, to a minimum of HND level, but ideally degree educated in Engineering or similar. Relevant experience will be considered where necessary.
• Demonstratable experience in a technical management role with a rail vehicle engineering environment.
• Excellent knowledge of railway operating and safety standards, rules, instructions and legislation.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of a variety of traction and rolling stock and the maintenance standards applicable to them.
• Understanding of key rolling stock commercial arrangements (manufacturing, maintenance and leasing contracts and suppliers).
• Good knowledge and understanding of Health, Safety and Environmental legislation
• Good knowledge of Continuous Improvement processes and techniques
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the confidence to influence all internal stakeholders, external bodies and suppliers.
• Self-motivated and able to react to a wide variety of situations.

What are the salary and benefits?

• Competitive Salary + Benefits
• Defined Benefit pension – one of the best in the UK
• 75% off all other train company travel tickets
• Retail discounts
• Career development opportunities

Applications will be considered from colleagues with 6 months experience in current role and a full check of absence and disciplinary records.

We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any time due to high volumes of applications (please submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment).

As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from all backgrounds and ensure no-one receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender, race/ethnicity, religion, belief and sexual orientation.