M&R Operations Manager – Southampton

Freightliner; Southampton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Life insurance from day 1

25 days annual leave

Training & career development

Awarding-winning safety culture

Enhanced maternity/paternity pay

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounts & vouchers

Cycle to work

Car lease scheme

Gym membership

Job summary

Freightliner is a leading UK intermodal logistics provider seeking a Maintenance & Repair Manager to lead the Southampton M&R department. You will manage a skilled team to deliver safe, compliant repairs aligned with IICL and customer requirements.

Your role includes driving continuous improvement, budgeting, and coordinating with customers and contractors in a fast-paced, safety‑critical environment. A strong safety culture and leadership presence are essential.

Qualifications

• 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.

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.

Skills

Container M&R experience

Team leadership

Safety culture

Stakeholder management

Job description

Freightliner is a leading UK intermodal logistics provider seeking a Maintenance & Repair Manager to lead the Southampton M&R department. You will manage a skilled team to deliver safe, compliant repairs aligned with IICL and customer requirements.

Your role includes driving continuous improvement, budgeting, and coordinating with customers and contractors in a fast-paced, safety‑critical environment. A strong safety culture and leadership presence are essential.