Opportunity Brief:
Fleet Director West
Ford & Stanley Executive Search (Part of the Ford & Stanley Group) are a leading Executive Search firm to the UK, North American and European Engineering, Technology, Sustainability & Heavy Manufacturing industries. Our search directors, search consultants and research teams specialise in all horizontal functions of our clients organisation with expertise spanning engineering, commercial, procurement, HR, IT, finance, HSQE, sales, projects, operations and c-suite. We are trusted by over 100 leading organisations when they seek to make a leadership appointment, be that a permanent appointment or an interim solution. We have been retained and appointed by
Northern
on the search for a Fleet Director - West. Below you will find an
opportunity brief
developed from notes taken during the scoping meeting (Situational Discovery) held between the Search Director & Research Manager of Executive Search and the COO and Head of HR of Northern. This brief is designed to give candidates a deeper insight into the opportunity inherent within the role, the challenges the role presents and provide access to the detail that sits behind the job specification. Client Opportunity Statements:
Northern is one of the largest Train Operators in the UK that sits at the heart of keeping the North moving. With increasing demand for travel across the major cities, it is key that we bring in a Fleet Director to define Engineering's asset strategy for the next 20 years, offer strong leadership across multiple sites in the region and look to drive and empower continuous improvement initiatives to ensure that 2,500 services that run to the highest of standards every day. We need someone to be the guiding mind for all Engineering activity, this role will be the key link across the different Train Care Centres, ensuring that our Rolling Stock assets are providing a fit-for-purpose service and are developed to meet the demands of tomorrow. Company Overview: Northern
Provide around 2,500 local and regional services every day to more than 500 stations and 3,000 km of track across the North of England. In total, 100 million passenger journeys are made on the network each year. Employ more than 7,000 people across the length and breadth of the network. In recent years, they have introduced 100 new trains as part of a £500 million investment in regional rail. In addition, all existing fleets have been fully refurbished including new seats, lights, charging points, CCTV and Wi-Fi. Their aim is to offer customers 'a better way to go' with further improvements across the network including the renovation of station facilities, better lighting, upgraded car parks and enhanced CCTV coverage. Key figures for Northern:
2,500 services daily Over 500 stations served 345 trains, encompassing 11 different types (electric and diesel). 5 Traincare Centres (depots), 7 outstations (mini depots for cleaning, fuelling, and minor maintenance), and 31 additional train presentation points. 23 crew bases scattered throughout the network. A workforce of just over 7,000, including approximately 3,500 drivers and conductors. Challenges expected within the first 12 months include:
The depots are in a steady state and upward curve of performance improvement. It is expected the right candidate will impact and expedite the upward performance in year 1 by various means. There is a large mix of fleets (the largest fleet of a train operator in the UK outside of London). This ranges from a 3-year-old fleet going in for its 1st overhaul to others coming up to 40 years old. RAMS will be paramount (Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, Safety). There are several challenges to be found in this dynamic. Under the recently appointed COO, the business is going through a transformational journey. The role will require taking new innovations, ideas, and strategies and turning them into operational activities/delivery through present leadership. Role referred to as Field Marshall. Key deliverables within the first 12 months include:
Improvements across all depots culturally, and operationally in both people and assets with key stakeholders buy-in. Levelled up the site leadership teams whilst integrating and contributing to the executive leadership team at Northern. Improvements and marginal gains made across all fleets in relation to RAMS. Essential Hard Skills (Skills & Experience)
Candidates must come from a heavy production/manufacturing or engineering background where they have led the maintenance, availability, servicing or manufacture of heavy or high-value products such as Aircraft, Defence Vehicles, Off-Highway, Capital Equipment and Fleets of Trains (or very similar). Live within a commutable distance of the Liverpool, Manchester Region or would relocate into the area. (West) This role requires present leadership at multiple sites. Proven leadership and management experience / taking teams on a journey of positive change (in addition to building a team). Track record of being able to translate the strategic picture into business cases and operational deliverables. Worked within a multi-site engineering/production or manufacturing environment. We are open-minded as to whether this role is a step up for an experienced Head of looking to move into Directorship and test themselves against the challenges this role presents. Candidates will come from a technical engineering or operations background either qualified by experience or via qualifications. Essential Soft Skills (Attributes & Behaviours)
The right candidates will be motivated by reasons beyond that of earning a salary and view this role as an opportunity, not a job. Passions could be that of trains or people, could be that of taking a business on a journey from good to great, could be that of relishing a challenge / making a name for themselves and viewing it as a platform for progression / further success beyond the role. Passionate, engaging, inspirational, and communicative with a track record of exceptional leadership skills. An individual capable of quickly building relationships with colleagues who may be resistant to change. Able to be firm but fair and capable of standing their ground when needed / somewhat dogged determination but in a collaborative manner. They will have the resilience to implement the change needed but the patience to understand it may not happen straight away. Working Arrangements & Location:
Head offices are based out of Manchester with depots under the remit of
Fleet Director West
based out of Newton Heath, Allerton Train care Centres and the Blackpool and Carlisle Outstations. Northern's Interview process
1st Stage interview: 1 hour on MS Teams with the COO and Head of TA. Psychometric test will be sent to successful candidates between the 1st and 2nd stage interviews. 2nd Final Stage interview will be a face-to-face interview with the COO at one of the Train Care locations and will involve a half-day interview, meeting different stakeholders and leading a session to see how they interact with the teams / leading a peer working group. Ford & Stanley Interview Process:
1st Stage Candidate Discovery: An open, conversational and consultative discussion where interested candidates are assessed on their suitability for the role in the context of the above and challenged on how the opportunity lines up with their career aspirations, motivations, financial expectations and personal circumstances. 2nd Stage The shortlist: Candidates are asked to reflect on the candidate discovery discussion, take time to reflect on the opportunity and undertake subsequent research on the client business reporting back on their thoughts, questions and providing additional specific information on their suitability (if applicable). Final checks of role, package and logistical alignments made. Good to know:
There are two roles that have been developed from a larger role where a Fleet Director managed both West and East Regions. With the current Fleet Director leaving the business there is an opportunity to make some changes to the role by splitting the region and putting more focus/impetus into performance at the Train care centres. This role is a Field Marshall position that requires regular and present leadership. Candidates must come from a heavy production/manufacturing or Engineering background where they have led against Cost/Quality/Time. Live within a commutable distance of the Liverpool, Manchester Region or would relocate into the area. This role requires present leadership at multiple sites. Whilst there is a hybrid model adopted by the company it is expected that the right candidate will be passionate in present leadership and working from HQ and sites frequently. Track record of taking a strategy and driving it through to operational activity. We are open-minded as to whether this role is a step up for an experienced Head of, looking to move into Directorship and test themselves against the challenges this role presents.
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Fleet Director West
Ford & Stanley Executive Search (Part of the Ford & Stanley Group) are a leading Executive Search firm to the UK, North American and European Engineering, Technology, Sustainability & Heavy Manufacturing industries. Our search directors, search consultants and research teams specialise in all horizontal functions of our clients organisation with expertise spanning engineering, commercial, procurement, HR, IT, finance, HSQE, sales, projects, operations and c-suite. We are trusted by over 100 leading organisations when they seek to make a leadership appointment, be that a permanent appointment or an interim solution. We have been retained and appointed by
Northern
on the search for a Fleet Director - West. Below you will find an
opportunity brief
developed from notes taken during the scoping meeting (Situational Discovery) held between the Search Director & Research Manager of Executive Search and the COO and Head of HR of Northern. This brief is designed to give candidates a deeper insight into the opportunity inherent within the role, the challenges the role presents and provide access to the detail that sits behind the job specification. Client Opportunity Statements:
Northern is one of the largest Train Operators in the UK that sits at the heart of keeping the North moving. With increasing demand for travel across the major cities, it is key that we bring in a Fleet Director to define Engineering's asset strategy for the next 20 years, offer strong leadership across multiple sites in the region and look to drive and empower continuous improvement initiatives to ensure that 2,500 services that run to the highest of standards every day. We need someone to be the guiding mind for all Engineering activity, this role will be the key link across the different Train Care Centres, ensuring that our Rolling Stock assets are providing a fit-for-purpose service and are developed to meet the demands of tomorrow. Company Overview: Northern
Provide around 2,500 local and regional services every day to more than 500 stations and 3,000 km of track across the North of England. In total, 100 million passenger journeys are made on the network each year. Employ more than 7,000 people across the length and breadth of the network. In recent years, they have introduced 100 new trains as part of a £500 million investment in regional rail. In addition, all existing fleets have been fully refurbished including new seats, lights, charging points, CCTV and Wi-Fi. Their aim is to offer customers 'a better way to go' with further improvements across the network including the renovation of station facilities, better lighting, upgraded car parks and enhanced CCTV coverage. Key figures for Northern:
2,500 services daily Over 500 stations served 345 trains, encompassing 11 different types (electric and diesel). 5 Traincare Centres (depots), 7 outstations (mini depots for cleaning, fuelling, and minor maintenance), and 31 additional train presentation points. 23 crew bases scattered throughout the network. A workforce of just over 7,000, including approximately 3,500 drivers and conductors. Challenges expected within the first 12 months include:
The depots are in a steady state and upward curve of performance improvement. It is expected the right candidate will impact and expedite the upward performance in year 1 by various means. There is a large mix of fleets (the largest fleet of a train operator in the UK outside of London). This ranges from a 3-year-old fleet going in for its 1st overhaul to others coming up to 40 years old. RAMS will be paramount (Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, Safety). There are several challenges to be found in this dynamic. Under the recently appointed COO, the business is going through a transformational journey. The role will require taking new innovations, ideas, and strategies and turning them into operational activities/delivery through present leadership. Role referred to as Field Marshall. Key deliverables within the first 12 months include:
Improvements across all depots culturally, and operationally in both people and assets with key stakeholders buy-in. Levelled up the site leadership teams whilst integrating and contributing to the executive leadership team at Northern. Improvements and marginal gains made across all fleets in relation to RAMS. Essential Hard Skills (Skills & Experience)
Candidates must come from a heavy production/manufacturing or engineering background where they have led the maintenance, availability, servicing or manufacture of heavy or high-value products such as Aircraft, Defence Vehicles, Off-Highway, Capital Equipment and Fleets of Trains (or very similar). Live within a commutable distance of the Liverpool, Manchester Region or would relocate into the area. (West) This role requires present leadership at multiple sites. Proven leadership and management experience / taking teams on a journey of positive change (in addition to building a team). Track record of being able to translate the strategic picture into business cases and operational deliverables. Worked within a multi-site engineering/production or manufacturing environment. We are open-minded as to whether this role is a step up for an experienced Head of looking to move into Directorship and test themselves against the challenges this role presents. Candidates will come from a technical engineering or operations background either qualified by experience or via qualifications. Essential Soft Skills (Attributes & Behaviours)
The right candidates will be motivated by reasons beyond that of earning a salary and view this role as an opportunity, not a job. Passions could be that of trains or people, could be that of taking a business on a journey from good to great, could be that of relishing a challenge / making a name for themselves and viewing it as a platform for progression / further success beyond the role. Passionate, engaging, inspirational, and communicative with a track record of exceptional leadership skills. An individual capable of quickly building relationships with colleagues who may be resistant to change. Able to be firm but fair and capable of standing their ground when needed / somewhat dogged determination but in a collaborative manner. They will have the resilience to implement the change needed but the patience to understand it may not happen straight away. Working Arrangements & Location:
Head offices are based out of Manchester with depots under the remit of
Fleet Director West
based out of Newton Heath, Allerton Train care Centres and the Blackpool and Carlisle Outstations. Northern's Interview process
1st Stage interview: 1 hour on MS Teams with the COO and Head of TA. Psychometric test will be sent to successful candidates between the 1st and 2nd stage interviews. 2nd Final Stage interview will be a face-to-face interview with the COO at one of the Train Care locations and will involve a half-day interview, meeting different stakeholders and leading a session to see how they interact with the teams / leading a peer working group. Ford & Stanley Interview Process:
1st Stage Candidate Discovery: An open, conversational and consultative discussion where interested candidates are assessed on their suitability for the role in the context of the above and challenged on how the opportunity lines up with their career aspirations, motivations, financial expectations and personal circumstances. 2nd Stage The shortlist: Candidates are asked to reflect on the candidate discovery discussion, take time to reflect on the opportunity and undertake subsequent research on the client business reporting back on their thoughts, questions and providing additional specific information on their suitability (if applicable). Final checks of role, package and logistical alignments made. Good to know:
There are two roles that have been developed from a larger role where a Fleet Director managed both West and East Regions. With the current Fleet Director leaving the business there is an opportunity to make some changes to the role by splitting the region and putting more focus/impetus into performance at the Train care centres. This role is a Field Marshall position that requires regular and present leadership. Candidates must come from a heavy production/manufacturing or Engineering background where they have led against Cost/Quality/Time. Live within a commutable distance of the Liverpool, Manchester Region or would relocate into the area. This role requires present leadership at multiple sites. Whilst there is a hybrid model adopted by the company it is expected that the right candidate will be passionate in present leadership and working from HQ and sites frequently. Track record of taking a strategy and driving it through to operational activity. We are open-minded as to whether this role is a step up for an experienced Head of, looking to move into Directorship and test themselves against the challenges this role presents.
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