Engineering Manager Dartford £74,000 per annum Why Join Us? This is a fantastic opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the performance and reliability of our fleet and the services we deliver. At Arriva, we foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. You’ll be part of a supportive environment where your expertise and leadership will have a tangible impact on daily operations and long-term success. If you’re passionate about engineering excellence, developing high-performing teams, and driving operational performance within the transport sector, we want to hear from you. The Role As Engineering Manager, you will take full ownership of fleet maintenance operations, ensuring vehicles are safe, reliable, and fully compliant with all regulatory standards. This is a senior leadership role where you will drive engineering performance, lead a diverse team, and contribute to strategic improvements across the business. Your work will directly influence service delivery, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Key Responsibilities Engineering Operations Lead engineering performance to meet and exceed service delivery targets Ensure fleet reliability, safety, and full regulatory compliance Oversee maintenance strategies to maximise vehicle availability Leadership & People Management Lead, inspire, and develop a multidisciplinary team including engineers, team leaders, apprentices, and support staff Manage workforce planning, shift allocation, and performance management Build a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous development Financial Management Manage engineering budgets, forecasting, and P&L performance Control garage costs and minimise lost mileage Support delivery of business-critical projects Health, Safety & Compliance Ensure full compliance with health, safety, environmental, and O-Licence requirements Lead audits and maintain robust safety practices Promote a strong safety-first culture across all teams Continuous Improvement Drive lean initiatives to improve efficiency and reduce waste Analyse performance data, identify trends, and implement improvement plans Enhance workshop productivity and operational processes Customer & Operational Focus Ensure vehicle availability meets peak service demands Investigate breakdown trends and implement corrective actions Maintain high standards that exceed statutory requirements Reporting & Governance Deliver accurate and timely reporting on KPIs, fleet performance, and engineering activity Provide insights to support operational and strategic decision-making Recruitment & Development Lead recruitment, onboarding, and training initiatives Develop talent pipelines and succession planning Foster a high-performing, continuously improving team About You We’re looking for a confident and driven leader with a strong engineering background and a passion for operational excellence. You will bring: Proven experience in engineering leadership, ideally within the bus or HGV sector Strong people management and team development skills Solid financial and commercial awareness, including budget management In-depth knowledge of health, safety, and regulatory compliance Excellent communication and organisational abilities A proactive, solution-focused mindset with a track record of driving improvement What We’re Looking For You thrive in a fast-paced, operational environment and enjoy leading teams to deliver outstanding results. You’re someone who takes ownership, builds strong relationships, and continuously looks for ways to improve performance and efficiency.