Light Maintenance Project Manager – Crewe Depot
Location: Crewe, UK
Contract: 12 month FTC
Company: Arriva TrainCare
Are you an experienced rail professional with a strong background in rolling stock maintenance and project coordination? Arriva TrainCare is seeking a Light Maintenance Project Manager to join our team at Crewe Depot. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering high-quality maintenance services and managing critical customer projects within a fast-paced operational rail environment.
About the Role
Reporting to the Crewe Depot Manager, the Light Maintenance Project Manager will oversee the day-to-day management of light maintenance activities and stabling/commissioning projects at Crewe Depot. Acting as the primary point of contact for customers, you will manage key workstreams including Transport for Wales exam programmes and other light maintenance contracts.
You will ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and within agreed timeframes while maintaining strong relationships with customers and internal stakeholders. This role combines operational planning, project coordination, team leadership, and continuous improvement to ensure the highest standards of service delivery.
Key Responsibilities
As Light Maintenance Project Manager, you will:
1. Act as the single point of contact for customer communications, particularly for Transport for Wales light maintenance exam projects.
2. Develop and maintain robust operational and delivery plans, including detailed 7-day schedules for monitoring project progress and meeting customer commitments.
3. Coordinate depot activity by producing detailed movement plans that align with depot capacity and avoid conflicts with other maintenance activities.
4. Lead and manage a dedicated examination team, ensuring customer vehicles are maintained according to agreed plans and standards.
5. Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) to provide meaningful performance data to internal teams and external stakeholders.
6. Ensure all work is conducted in accordance with relevant safety regulations, including the Health and Safety at Work Act, depot operating procedures, and rail industry standards.
7. Support the mobilisation of new light maintenance contracts and participate in contract reviews.
8. Apply continuous improvement techniques such as Lean, Kaizen, and 5S to enhance productivity, quality, and safety performance.
9. Manage subcontractors and agency personnel, ensuring they meet contractual obligations and safety requirements.
10. Lead incident response and accident investigations, implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
11. Conduct safety tours, support audits, and ensure all work areas remain compliant with operational standards.
12. Promote strong employee engagement through mentoring, coaching, regular one-to-one meetings, and effective team development.
About You
We are looking for a proactive and technically capable individual who thrives in a busy operational environment.
Qualifications and Requirements
13. Apprentice-trained CI Fitter or Electrician with a strong engineering background
14. NVQ Level 3 in Engineering (Rail Traction & Rolling Stock preferred)
15. Competence Assessor A1/A2 qualification or working towards
16. Full Personal Track Safety (PTS)
Experience and Skills
17. Strong understanding of rail vehicle maintenance, including electrical and mechanical systems
18. Knowledge of railway operational processes and reporting systems such as SAP, Maximo, Equinox, Ravers 2, or Nexala
19. Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical documentation
20. Solid IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Office applications
21. Familiarity with quality and environmental standards such as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001
22. Experience applying Lean, Kaizen, or 5S improvement methodologies
23. Excellent communication, organisational, and leadership skills
Why Join Us?
At Arriva TrainCare, you’ll be part of a team that plays a vital role in keeping the UK rail network moving. We offer a collaborative working environment, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to contribute to the delivery of safe, reliable rail services.
If you are passionate about rail engineering and project delivery, we’d love to hear from you.