Section Manager Rail Testing

Location
Cambridge, GB

Department Name
Eastern Region

About Network Rail
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If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you

Brief Description
Champion safe, compliant rail testing and lubrication across a critical section of the network

This is a key leadership role with significant responsibility for the safe and reliable performance of the rail network. As
Section Manager for Rail Testing & Lubrication
, you'll lead specialist teams delivering essential manual/trainbourne ultrasonic testing and lubrication activities. You'll be accountable for ensuring these vital programmes are delivered safely, compliantly and efficiently, supporting the continued integrity and performance of the track asset.

About The Role (External)
In this specialist operational role, you will lead the Rail Testing & Lubrication section, managing in-house teams and contractors responsible for delivering rail testing, trainborne ultrasonic inspections, lubrication regimes. Your leadership will ensure these critical activities are delivered to the highest standards of safety, quality and compliance.

You'll be responsible for planning, prioritising and delivering a comprehensive programme of testing, lubrication and asset condition monitoring. Working closely with Track, Welding & Grinding and wider MDU teams, you'll ensure effective defect management, timely interventions and accurate asset data to support safe decision-making. You will also play a key role in ensuring compliance with relevant standards governing ultrasonic testing, lubrication regimes and rail examination.

Championing safety as your highest priority, you'll lead your teams through a culture of safe working, engagement and continuous improvement. You'll manage budgets, resources and performance, ensuring work is delivered efficiently and achieves agreed targets. Your role will also include coaching and developing staff, driving improvements in competence, productivity and professional growth.

As this is an operational leadership position, you will be required to support the on-call rota and respond to issues that arise outside normal working hours.

Essential Criteria

• Experience of managing the production and delivery of a comprehensive and compliant work programme
• Able to demonstrate, promote and embed safe working behaviours within the team
• Able to coach, influence and develop others
• Knowledge of discipline-specific maintenance, inspection, faulting and renewal techniques
• Able to lead and implement change and improvement initiatives
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, both in person and in writing
• Comfortable working shifts including days, nights and weekends

Desirable Criteria

• Hold or be working towards an NVQ level 3 or 4 (or equivalent) in a relevant subject or have attained an appropriate level of knowledge through equivalent relevant experience

Experience with Ultrasonic testing regimes (U1, U5, U15, U8).

Knowledge of Lubrication units and cyclical maintenance regimes.

• Able to promote and demonstrate safe working behaviours
• Knowledge of budget management and cost/waste control processes and techniques
• Able and willing to drive vehicles as required by business need

This role involves days, nights and weekend working, and is a safety critical role so subject to drug and alcohol testing and passing of the relevant medical assessment.

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How To Apply (External)
Salary: £64,000-£66,000

Closing date : 19th December Late applications will not be accepted.

Click 'apply now' or click here for details of how to apply.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status. Click here for more information

We positively embrace flexible working recognising that employees may wish to balance work and family/home life.

You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.

Network Rail Benefits
- To find out about what benefits we offer, click here

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information

• Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.****