Team Leader - Heavy Maintenance

Job Title:
Team Leader - Heavy Maintenance

Hours:
40 hours per week
Monday-Friday, 07:00-15:30

Salary:
£46,500

Location:
Bristol

Contract:
Permanent

Client Summary
An established rail engineering and train maintenance business, responsible for the heavy maintenance and servicing of passenger rolling stock. The organisation operates within a highly safety-focused and regulated environment, with a strong emphasis on quality, operational performance and continuous improvement.

Position Summary
The Team Leader will oversee day-to-day depot operations, ensuring work is delivered safely, efficiently and to the required quality standards. This is a hands-on leadership role, responsible for supervising and developing a team of maintenance staff while coordinating with Project Engineering and other functions to resolve technical issues and deliver planned maintenance programmes. The role is safety-critical and requires someone with strong rail vehicle maintenance knowledge, people management skills and the ability to operate effectively in a depot environment.

Expected Roles
Lead and supervise day-to-day depot operations and maintenance activities.
Manage, mentor and coach Team Members, ensuring competence, training and performance standards are maintained.
Ensure all work is completed safely and in accordance with relevant procedures, work instructions and industry standards.
Coordinate with Project Engineers to deliver efficient maintenance programmes and resolve technical issues.
Ensure compliance with customer requirements, company policies and operational procedures.
Oversee the safe movement and operation of rail vehicles within the depot.
Operate/drive rail vehicles where required, within relevant depot limits and procedures.
Monitor safety, quality and production efficiency across the depot.
Ensure work areas are fit for purpose and comply with required health, safety and environmental standards.
Support the development of competence assessments and training for maintenance staff.
Keep teams informed of relevant business, safety and operational communications.
Support continuous improvement initiatives and identify opportunities to improve depot performance.
Assist with the investigation and resolution of operational or technical problems.
Maintain effective communication with Team Members, Project Engineers and wider stakeholders.
Ensure accurate reporting and documentation is completed as required.
Support safety, environmental and incident-reporting processes.
Undertake exceptional/out-of-hours duties or travel when required.

Requirements
Proven experience within rail vehicle maintenance, preferably heavy maintenance.
Experience managing or supervising rail depot operations.
Engineering qualification such as BTEC Engineering, City & Guilds or NVQ Level 3; Rail Traction & Rolling Stock preferred.
Strong understanding of mechanical and electrical engineering principles.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical information.
Good understanding of rail safety, health, safety and environmental requirements.
Experience leading, coaching and managing a technical/maintenance team.
Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work to demanding delivery deadlines.
Good understanding of production efficiency and continuous improvement.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Good IT and report-writing skills.
Driver Operator/Shunter competence for the relevant class of rail vehicle, or the ability to undertake the required assessment.
People management/supervisory training or experience.
PTS and the ability to meet the required safety-critical medical standard.
Willingness to undertake required safety-critical training, including depot safety and relevant operational competencies.
Comfortable working in a safety-critical environment, including random drugs and alcohol testing.