Operations Manager – Long Marston

This investment will see the site play a pivotal role in the future of the UK's railway, as an exceptional facility to test and trial new traction technologies, securely store rolling stock and provide training in a live environment.The UK's first hydrogen-powered passenger train was built and is being tested by Porterbrook here, and we're also the home of the country's largest outdoor rail exhibition, Rail Live.Our small, close-knit and passionate team based at the site ensures that everything runs smoothly across Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre each day, and we have some exciting opportunities to join them.The Porterbrook group of companies is wholly owned by supportive long-term institutional investors, fully committed to the future of the UK rail sector.Our values About the role A great opportunity for an exceptional Operations Manager, to join the Porterbrook team.Role Purpose To lead the safe delivery of on-time rail operations carried out at Long Marston RIC (LM RIC) through effective planning and management of the site rail operations team.To deliver strong operational leadership and embed a strong safe delivery culture within the rail operations team, ensuring risk-based compliance with relevant operational standards, procedures, and rules at all times.To be a highly visible people focused manager, enabling high performance and strong levels of employee engagement to drive continuous improvement and deliver best-in class rail operations.Key Responsibilities Management of the LM RIC rail operations team, ensuring effective utilisation of competent resource to safely deliver rail operations plans Development of rosters for the rail operations team, ensuring sufficient available resource to deliver operations plans at all times Management of welfare of rail operations team members in line with company procedures Lead the planning of all rail operations carried out at LM RIC, ensuring plans are suitably prioritised, and effectively visualised & communicated to the rail operations team and all other affected stakeholders on a daily basis Chair daily and weekly rail operations planning meetings Work with the Operations Trainer & Assessor to ensure that rail operations team members have the required competence to carry out the full range of their duties and that such competence is maintained at all times Work with the Operations Safety & Standards Manager to implement the fatigue risk management system (FRMS) to proactively monitor levels of fatigue within the rail operations team, and enable timely intervention to mitigate associated risk Work with the Operations Safety & Standards Manager to ensure that operational standards, procedures, and rules are fit for purpose and are effectively implemented, regularly reviewed, and updated to incorporate best practice Carry out operational audits and quality checks to proactively monitor levels of compliance with operational standards, procedures, and rules - and to identify areas of good practice Develop and implement a suite of KPIs to enable proactive monitoring of operational delivery performance - delivering or exceeding against agreed targets Management of capacity planning within all yards and sidings across the site to support pipeline planning Act as the main point of contact for external rail operations customers/ stakeholders and third-party suppliers Gain, and maintain depot driving and shunting competence to enable such duties to be performed as a contingency measure as required Ensure all operational safety events and near misses are reported and investigated in a timely manner Assist the Operations Safety & Standards Manager with the production, review, and update of risk assessments to cover the full scope of rail operations at LM RIC to ensure associated safety risk is managed to a level As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP) Ensure operations notices, bulletins, and urgent safety alerts are produced and briefed to all affected parties in a timely manner - and displayed on the operations notice board Provide coaching and mentoring to the Operations Team Leader to support continued development and enable robust operations management cover capability during periods of absence Responsible for the delivery of operations team actions and recommendations following audit, inspections, and investigation findings Attend rail operations meetings with and/ or on behalf of the General Manager - Operations & Safety as required Carry out projects as required by the General Manager - Operations & Safety as required Source external rail operations support as required Skills / Experience What you'll need to have Thorough knowledge of training driving, and shunting techniques within depots, yards & sidings Previous line management of rail operations teams - including train drivers and/ or shunters Formal management qualification (Desirable) IOSH Managing Safely (Desirable) Trained Accident Investigator Personal Track Safety (Desirable) Behavioural Based Safety training (Desirable) Excellent knowledge of railway operations (Mainline & Depot) Conversant with the Railway Rule Book Familiar with relevant Health & Safety Legislation and Rail Industry Standards Knowledge of ORR guidance document 'Managing Staff Competence - Railway Safety Publication 1' Excellent knowledge of non-technical skills in a railway operational environment It would be great if you also had Extensive experience in performing rail operations including train driving (mainline & depot), and shunting Previous experience in leading/ managing rail operations teams Demonstrable experience of delivering a positive and sustaining safe delivery culture in an operational environment Excellent verbal and written communication skills Strong people leadership skills, with the ability to inspire teams A great place to work People are the heart of Porterbrook. Advertised earnings are £75.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and manage day-to-day kitchen or service operations
• Maintain high food, service, and presentation standards
• Support team performance and consistency

What we're looking for

• Strong leadership and kitchen or venue experience
• Ability to maintain quality and service standards
• Organised and confident in a fast-paced environment

Requirements

• Previous experience in a senior kitchen or hospitality role
• Ability to maintain quality, consistency, and service standards
• Strong organisational and team-management skills