Overview
Freightliner is the UK's largest maritime intermodal logistics operator, transporting containers from all major deep-sea ports to our national network of inland terminals, as well as a leading operator in the UK Heavy Haul rail freight market. Freightliner operates across Europe offering Intermodal and Heavy Haul rail freight services linking European countries and the UK. In the UK the Freightliner Group operates under several entities including Freightliner Group Ltd, Freightliner Heavy Haul Ltd, Freightliner Ltd, Pentalver Transport Ltd, and Pentalver Cannock Ltd. Freightliner Group Ltd is a railroad, terminals, and road business with operations across the UK, Poland, the Netherlands and Germany; it is a leader in the UK transport market, supporting inbound container traffic from global markets, domestic containerised traffic and bulk rail movements to support infrastructure developments such as HS2.
Purpose of Job
Reporting to the Head of Operations, you will lead a team of Managers who are responsible for maintaining and improving the competence of drivers. You will contribute to the achievement of day-to-day UK rail operations, and be responsible for the development and provision of a suitably trained, equipped and assessed rail operations team, in order to meet ongoing business requirements.
The role requires an on-call commitment.
Responsibilities
* Safety
* You are expected to be a role model for safety by your own compliance to standards and safety requirements;
* You are responsible for the occupational health and safety of employees in your areas of responsibility, which includes all locations where your Managers and operational staff visit;
* You are responsible for delivery and implementation of any cascaded safety plan objectives;
* Ensure all your staff receive adequate health and safety training;
* Develop a positive safety culture within your area of responsibility, supported by robust safety processes in accordance with company, industry standards and legislation;
* Ensure that all operations staff within your areas of responsibility are trained in emergency procedures for major incident/accident management;
* Ensure that any operating or occupational accidents and incidents involving employees in your reporting line are properly recorded and investigated to a productive conclusion;
* Ensure that safety arrangements are adhered to and protect the health and safety of employees, other rail users, and the public;
* Compliance with your duty to take care of your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by yours/ their own actions at work.
* People
* Guide, and support your team through leadership, motivation, teamwork and co-operation;
* Ensure that your Production Managers/Operational Support Managers are developed through coaching to ensure drivers achieve high standards of competence and commitment;
* Where required, carry out formal/informal competence development, attendance, or disciplinary actions in accordance with policies and procedures;
* Establish annual priorities with your team and align them to your Head of Operations priorities where appropriate;
* Develop and maintain effective communication channels to ensure your team has the correct information to deliver to standards;
* Act on locally identified trends (e.g. SPADs/absenteeism) and influence resolution accordingly;
* Ensure that all staff welfare issues are dealt with to conclusion in accordance with policies and standards.
* Compliance and Standards
* Deliver high standards in driver assessment processes and in line with business requirements at all times;
* Manage and, where possible, exceed company requirements for competency assessment for drivers;
* Provide support to Production Managers to enable continuous development of driver skills and knowledge;
* Ensure Production Managers deliver staff assessments on time and that competence paperwork is completed and acted upon as required;
* Liaise with the Head of Operations on requirements as necessary;
* Ensure rosters are negotiated in line with collective agreements and best industry practice;
* Take proactive steps to retain train driving competences and compliance with internal and external standards.
* Performance
* Ensure effective delivery of resources to deploy drivers to meet the train plan, within budget and safety standards;
* Develop initiatives to reduce delays and mitigate loco failures;
* Manage train performance with staff to minimise late running/delays;
* Manage manpower plan and overtime within budgeted levels;
* Consult with recognised unions at local level on matters relevant to business efficiency and health and safety issues as required.
* Specific role related activities
* Implement all Company Safety Policies and cascade critical Safety Information to staff;
* Contribute to route knowledge strategy for each depot to meet business needs and future growth;
* Ensure team investigates accidents/incidents in line with agreed timescales;
* Provide direction, leadership, and strategic governance across locations and staff within your area;
* Exercise financial controls and operate within DFA limits at all times;
* Carry out disciplinary actions where required in accordance with policies;
* Maximize cross-depot coverage and ensure rosters are resilient to cover short/long-term absence;
* Develop staff development plans and harness promotional potential;
* Monitor and manage driver competence and ensure records and assessments are maintained;
* Ensure driver medicals and assessments are completed in line with standards and records are maintained;
* Ensure monthly out-of-hours visits and Level 1 audits are undertaken on time;
* Promote attendance at work and uphold Managing for Attendance policies;
* Ensure Managers, Instructors and Mentor Drivers are trained and prepared for their roles;
* Coordinate with HR on Trainee Driver intake progress at each location;
* Develop Route Learning Strategies for depots to meet plan challenges, including major engineering blockades;
* Keep Risk Assessments and Local Working Instructions up to date;
* Maintain records per legal and company requirements with a regular archive regime;
* Undertake other duties/projects within remit and competence as required;
* Support SOx principles and ensure implementation within your area.
* Key Job Requirements
* Experience in a safety-critical environment, ideally within the Rail Industry;
* Ensure retention of competence and medical fitness to drive trains in line with standards;
* Knowledge of rail rules and regulations with at least 3 years’ experience;
* Competent to undertake risk assessments;
* Ability to manage budget responsibilities and staffing to budget;
* Ability to build healthy working relationships with stakeholders;
* Ability to interact effectively with senior/middle management, Network Rail Local Operations Managers, and Trade Union representatives;
* Ability to work unsocial hours (on-call/weekends) as required.
* Behavioral competencies
* Remain calm under pressure;
* Provide professional, respectful leadership to staff;
* Encourage teams to perform to the best of their ability;
* Set high safety standards for each location and lead by example;
* Embrace change and encourage others to adapt;
* Drive continuous improvement of driving standards at each depot;
* Ensure safe working practices for self, colleagues, and visitors;
* Maintain awareness of customer business requirements and focus on helping them meet objectives;
* Demonstrate the Group values and maintain trust, tact and confidentiality.
Benefits
Our perks and benefits
* Competitive pay
* Fantastic final-salary pension scheme after an initial qualifying period
* Enhanced maternity & paternity pay
* Access to the company's life assurance scheme
* A range of benefits to support work-life balance and save money (health treatments, car savings, etc.)
This post is subject to standard pre-employment checks including employment references, medical & D&A screening, and successful DBS background checks.
Could it be time to start your career journey with us? Apply today!
Our commitment to you, once you join our team, is to foster growth and provide developmental opportunities to ensure you reach your utmost potential. We are looking for the most committed and reliable individuals who possess the knowledge, skills and experience needed for their roles. In return we can offer competitive pay, excellent benefits, a competitive pension scheme and a rewarding career in an award-winning team.
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