M&R Manager

Freightliner Group Ltd; Southampton; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Life insurance from day 1

25 days annual leave

Work180 endorsed employer

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Discounts platform

Cycle to work scheme

Car lease scheme

Technology scheme

Discounted gym membership

Job summary

Freightliner Group Ltd seeks an experienced Maintenance and Repair (M&R) Manager to lead the Southampton M&R department, overseeing container repairers and admin staff. You will ensure repairs meet industry standards and customer requirements while achieving departmental targets.

You will drive safety, develop a high-performing team, and manage budgets, resources and service levels in a fast-paced, safety-critical environment. This role requires strong leadership and continuous improvement focus.

Qualifications

• Proven container M&R or depot management experience, including leading teams and operations.
• Strong understanding of port and shipping line operations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day M&R operations and ensure safe, efficient repairs.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team with a culture of accountability and safety.
• Ensure repairs meet IICL and shipping line standards and customer requirements.
• Manage resources, budgets and KPIs to deliver targets and cost control.
• Drive continuous improvement across operations, service and safety.
• Lead risk assessments, audits and incident investigations as required.
• Ensure accurate damage surveys, estimates and repairs per standards.
• Maintain relationships with customers, contractors and stakeholders.
• Monitor procurement of parts and materials for productivity.
• Provide concise reports, presentations and business correspondence.
• Promote positive health, safety and environmental practices.

Skills

Container M&R management

Team leadership

Welding qualification desirable

IICL knowledge

Budgeting & cost control

Safety culture champion

Job description

Freightliner is a leading UK intermodal logistics provider, offering rail, road and terminal solutions that connect ports, inland terminals and customer destinations across the UK. Through innovation, safety and sustainability, Freightliner delivers reliable, efficient and lower-carbon supply chain solutions for its customers. In the UK the Freightliner Group operates under a number of legal entities including, Freightliner Ltd, Pentalver Transport Ltd, and Pentalver Cannock Ltd.

Job title: Maintenance and Repair (M&R) Manager

Location: Southampton (SO15 1AW)

Position Type: Permanent, full-time

Hours of work: 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday

Why join us?

• Competitive compensation package, including a pension scheme, life insurance from day 1, 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays).
• Career development and progression: We provide regular training and career development opportunities to help you progress your career with us. You will have access to a range of external courses and in-house training programmes to support skill development and build confidence in your role.
• Award-winning safety culture: Join a business recognised for excellence and innovation, where safety is always our top priority.
• Family friendly benefits: We offer enhanced maternity and paternity pay and are proud to be Work180 endorsed employer.
• Employee well-being and support: Access our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), along with an employee benefits platform offering discounts and vouchers across a wide range of brands and retailers, a cycle to work scheme, car lease scheme, technology scheme and discounted gym membership.

The role

With a new state of art infrastructure and recent investment in Vehicle Booking System (VBS) and technology, we are looking for the right individual to join and support our Maintenance and Repair (M&R) team in Southampton. As the M&R Manager, you manage the Southampton Maintenance & Repair (M&R) department, leading a skilled team of container repairers and administrative staff to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of the M&R operations. You will ensure repairs meet IICL and shipping line standards, customer requirements are achieved, and departmental financial targets are met.

Key responsibilities

• Responsible for the day-to-day running of M&R operations.
• Oversee all aspects of M&R operations, ensuring repairs are completed safely, efficiently and to customer and industry standards.
• Ensure sufficient resource is in place to deliver business demands and maintain agreed service standards.
• Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of accountability, safety and continuous improvement.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across operational performance, customer service, quality and safety.
• Act as a visible leader for safety, ensuring compliance with all health, safety and environmental standards and regulatory requirements.
• Lead risk assessments, audits, operational observations and incident investigations as required.
• Ensure damage surveys, estimates and repairs are completed accurately and in accordance with IICL standards, customer requirements and company procedures.
• Manage parts, materials and operational resources effectively to support productivity, quality and cost performance.
• Monitor departmental performance, budgets and KPIs to deliver operational and financial objectives.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with customers, contractors and key stakeholders.
• Monitor departmental performance against budgets, KPIs and service standards, taking action to improve efficiency and control costs.

About you

• Proven container M&R or depot management experience, including leading teams, with a sound understanding of port and shipping line operations.
• Fabrication or metalwork knowledge and experience (welding qualification desirable).
• Good understanding of the container shipping industry and container types.
• Knowledge of IICL/shipping line repair criteria and CEDEX coding (IICL certification desirable).
• Financially aware with the ability to interpret profit and loss accounts, manage budgets and analyse cost performance.
• A continuous improvement mindset with experience in process design, implementation and operational optimisation.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to produce concise and accurate reports, presentations and business correspondence.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, develop and engage teams within a fast-paced, safety-critical environment.
• Strong customer service and stakeholder management skills.
• A visible and credible leader who leads by example, acts with integrity, professionalism and a strong commitment to safety.
• Sound knowledge of health, safety and environmental requirements, with experience of promoting a positive safety culture and ensuring compliance with operational standards.
• Flexibility to provide out-of-hours / on-call cover as required.

About us

Freightliner is an established rail freight and road logistics provider with operations across the UK. We are offering customers a wide range of rail freight solutions to cater for the requirements of a diverse market sector, we provide a safe, reliable and cost-effective rail freight partnership. In the UK the Freightliner operates under a number of legal entities including, Freightliner Ltd, Pentalver Transport Ltd, and Pentalver Cannock Ltd. At the core of all we do are our employees. Their hard work is fundamental to our success and we are equally committed to their growth and safety. 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.

Freightliner is an established rail freight provider with businesses in the UK and Continental Europe. Offering customers a wide range of rail freight solutions to cater for the requirements of a diverse market sector, we provide a safe, reliable and cost-effective rail freight partnership. At the core of all we do are our employees. Their hard work is fundamental to our success and we are equally committed to their growth and safety. 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 fantastic final-salary pension scheme and a rewarding career in an award-winning team.

Please note that any offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory DBS check.