Team Leader - Heavy Maintenance

Job Title: Team Leader - Heavy Maintenance Hours: 40 hours per week Monday-Friday, 07:00-15:30 Salary: £46,500 Location: Bristol Contract: Permanent Client Summary An established rail engineering and train maintenance business, responsible for the heavy maintenance and servicing of passenger rolling stock. The organisation operates within a highly safety-focused and regulated environment, with a strong emphasis on quality, operational performance and continuous improvement. Position Summary The Team Leader will oversee day-to-day depot operations, ensuring work is delivered safely, efficiently and to the required quality standards. This is a hands-on leadership role, responsible for supervising and developing a team of maintenance staff while coordinating with Project Engineering and other functions to resolve technical issues and deliver planned maintenance programmes. The role is safety-critical and requires someone with strong rail vehicle maintenance knowledge, people management skills and the ability to operate effectively in a depot environment. Expected Roles * Lead and supervise day-to-day depot operations and maintenance activities. * Manage, mentor and coach Team Members, ensuring competence, training and performance standards are maintained. * Ensure all work is completed safely and in accordance with relevant procedures, work instructions and industry standards. * Coordinate with Project Engineers to deliver efficient maintenance programmes and resolve technical issues. * Ensure compliance with customer requirements, company policies and operational procedures. * Oversee the safe movement and operation of rail vehicles within the depot. * Operate/drive rail vehicles where required, within relevant depot limits and procedures. * Monitor safety, quality and production efficiency across the depot. * Ensure work areas are fit for purpose and comply with required health, safety and environmental standards. * Support the development of competence assessments and training for maintenance staff. * Keep teams informed of relevant business, safety and operational communications. * Support continuous improvement initiatives and identify opportunities to improve depot performance. * Assist with the investigation and resolution of operational or technical problems. * Maintain effective communication with Team Members, Project Engineers and wider stakeholders. * Ensure accurate reporting and documentation is completed as required. * Support safety, environmental and incident-reporting processes. * Undertake exceptional/out-of-hours duties or travel when required. Requirements * Proven experience within rail vehicle maintenance, preferably heavy maintenance. * Experience managing or supervising rail depot operations. * Engineering qualification such as BTEC Engineering, City & Guilds or NVQ Level 3; Rail Traction & Rolling Stock preferred. * Strong understanding of mechanical and electrical engineering principles. * Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical information. * Good understanding of rail safety, health, safety and environmental requirements. * Experience leading, coaching and managing a technical/maintenance team. * Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work to demanding delivery deadlines. * Good understanding of production efficiency and continuous improvement. * Strong written and verbal communication skills. * Good IT and report-writing skills. * Driver Operator/Shunter competence for the relevant class of rail vehicle, or the ability to undertake the required assessment. * People management/supervisory training or experience. * PTS and the ability to meet the required safety-critical medical standard. * Willingness to undertake required safety-critical training, including depot safety and relevant operational competencies. * Comfortable working in a safety-critical environment, including random drugs and alcohol testing