At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development and maintenance of operational standards for railway safety and efficiency.
- Company: Join a leading railway company focused on safety and customer service.
- Benefits: Enjoy free travel, a great pension, and discounts at over 800 retailers.
- Other info: Commit to a minimum 14-month role for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on railway operations and safety while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Significant rail operations experience and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
At London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway, safety, operational excellence, and customer service are at the heart of everything we do. As our Operations Standards Manager, you will play a key role in ensuring our operational activities are delivered safely, effectively, and in full compliance with railway legislation, industry standards, and company requirements. Working across the business, you will lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of operational standards, policies, procedures, and publications. You will provide expert advice on operational safety matters, helping to embed best practice and drive continuous improvement while supporting a positive and inclusive safety culture. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with significant rail operations experience who is passionate about standards, safety, and making a meaningful impact on the performance and success of the railway.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development, review and maintenance of operational standards, procedures and working instructions across the business.
- Manage key operational publications, including train driving policies, company instructions, route guides, PTS handbooks, and other operational documentation.
- Ensure West Midlands Trains maintains effective, compliant, and business-integrated safety and operational management systems.
- Develop and implement company procedures in response to changes in railway standards and legislation.
- Provide expert operational safety advice and guidance to stakeholders across the organisation.
- Initiate and support briefing and training programmes relating to new or revised standards and procedures.
- Monitor and promote compliance with internal standards, Safety Critical Work Regulations, Railway Operational Standards, and other relevant legislation.
- Reduce operational incidents and accidents through the development of proactive safety strategies, lessons learned, and industry best practice.
- Oversee and support competence management arrangements for safety critical employees.
- Ensure the development, effectiveness and quality assurance of operational assessors.
- Undertake quantitative risk assessments and support the management of operational risk.
- Maintain an up-to-date understanding of legislative and industry developments affecting operational and driving standards.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and undertake other duties appropriate to the role and grade.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Substantial experience within a rail operations environment.
- Minimum of three years' train driving experience & Hold an ETDL with accompanying certificate.
- Experience conducting accident and incident investigations.
- Experience developing and implementing operational standards, procedures, and policies.
- Experience undertaking quantitative risk assessments.
- Strong understanding of railway operational safety requirements and relevant legislation.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to continuous improvement.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel and Outlook.
- Recognised verification or internal quality assurance qualification would be advantageous.
To ensure continuity and an effective delivery of service, successful candidates will be required to commit to a minimum 14-month period in role after achieving competence. This also includes existing colleagues who move by internal promotions and transfers. This time allows our future colleagues to support personal career development by allowing time to build strong knowledge and expertise.
Benefits
- A defined benefit pension from day 1 – one of the best in the UK.
- Free travel on all London Northwestern and West Midlands Railway services for you, your spouse/partner, and dependents.
- 75% off all other train operating companies for you, your spouse/partner, and dependents.
- 8 Friends and Family Day passes to gift per annum on our network.
- A 24/7 Virtual GP service for you and your household.
- Our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - A confidential employee benefit that supports you with personal or work-related issues affecting your home life, work life, health, or wellbeing.
- Our cycle to work scheme with Evans Cycles.
- A retail discount portal - offering savings, discounts and cashback at over 800 retailers and restaurants.
Operations Standards Manager in Birmingham employer: WM Trains
As a Carriage Cleaner Supervisor at our Worcester depot, you will join a company that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With a strong focus on safety and compliance, we offer a supportive work culture where your leadership skills can thrive, alongside excellent benefits such as a defined benefit pension, free travel for you and your family, and access to a 24/7 Virtual GP service. Our commitment to your development ensures that you will have the opportunity to build expertise and advance your career in a meaningful way.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Standards Manager in Birmingham
✨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 WM Trains.
✨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 WM Trains. Every application gets us one step closer to landing that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Standards Manager in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're applying for a role in the transportation and logistics sector at WM Trains, 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 WM Trains 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 WM Trains. 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 WM Trains
✨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 WM Trains.
✨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 WM Trains.
