Performance Improvement Specialist

Northern; Manchester; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free Travel

Pension Scheme

Enhanced Family Benefits

Cycle to Work

Exclusive Discounts

Employee Assistance Programme

Training & Career Development

Recognition Programs

Job summary

Northern is seeking a Performance Improvement Specialist to turn ideas into practical improvements across depots, outstations and central functions. You’ll shape the Engineering Operating Model and coach teams through change, turning data and problems into lasting solutions that benefit railway safety and efficiency.

You’ll lead programmes in Lean and Performance Improvement, engage stakeholders at all levels, and design training to embed new skills. This role offers on-site working in the North.

Qualifications

• Experience of Lean and Performance Improvement, with a track record of delivering meaningful improvement projects.
• Ability to influence and engage people at all levels, from frontline colleagues to senior leaders.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, including confidence to work with trade unions and senior stakeholders.
• A practical, curious approach to problem-solving, with the confidence to challenge existing ways of working when there’s a better option.
• Experience of coaching, mentoring or developing others and helping improvement become part of everyday working.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and stay calm when things get busy.
• Experience in an operational, technical or engineering environment.

Responsibilities

• Leading Performance Improvement and Change Management programmes, bringing people with you and keeping disruption to a minimum.
• Working with teams at all levels to embed practical improvement tools, techniques and behaviours that last.
• Developing and deploying the Engineering Operating Model to improve operational performance.
• Bringing people together through cross-functional workshops, helping teams understand problems and find solutions.
• Using key performance indicator (KPI) results to identify where processes can work better and turn insight into action.
• Coaching and mentoring colleagues, building confidence and capability in Performance Improvement.
• Designing and delivering training that helps people develop new skills and continue the improvement journey long after your involvement.

Skills

Lean

Performance Improvement

Change Management

Coaching/Mentoring

Stakeholder Engagement

Communication

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent

LMS accreditation (advantage)

Tools

LMS

Job description

Business function: Engineering
Grade: ML2/SB2
Salary: £64,000.00 per annum rising to £68,556.00 per annum on completion of training
Role type: On site
Hours: 35 per week

Introduction

You know that feeling when a process just works? That’s what Performance Improvement is all about – finding better ways to do things, making them stick, and helping people feel the difference.

As a Performance Improvement Specialist at Northern, you’ll be right at the heart of that work. You’ll partner with our depots, outstations and central functions to turn ideas into practical improvements that make our railway safer, more efficient and more effective. From shaping our Engineering Operating Model to coaching teams through change, you’ll help turn performance data and business problems into lasting solutions.

It’s a role where you can see the impact of your work every day – and where your experience in continuous improvement, change and coaching can help shape the future of our railway.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll help Northern make change happen in a way that works for our people and our operations. That means you’ll be:

• Leading Performance Improvement and Change Management programmes, bringing people with you and keeping disruption to a minimum.
• Working with teams at all levels to embed practical improvement tools, techniques and behaviours that last.
• Developing and deploying the Engineering Operating Model to improve operational performance.
• Bringing people together through cross-functional workshops, helping teams understand problems and find solutions.
• Using key performance indicator (KPI) results to identify where processes can work better and turn insight into action.
• Coaching and mentoring colleagues, building confidence and capability in Performance Improvement.
• Designing and delivering training that helps people develop new skills and continue the improvement journey long after your involvement.

About you

You’re someone who enjoys getting to the heart of a problem, bringing people together and finding a better way forward.

You’ll bring:

• Experience of Lean and Performance Improvement, with a track record of delivering meaningful improvement projects.
• The ability to influence and engage people at all levels, from frontline colleagues to senior leaders.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, including the confidence to work with trade unions and senior stakeholders.
• A practical, curious approach to problem-solving, with the confidence to challenge existing ways of working when there’s a better option.
• Experience of coaching, mentoring or developing others and helping improvement become part of everyday working.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and stay calm when things get busy.
• Experience in an operational, technical or engineering environment.

A relevant degree or equivalent qualification would be useful, as would professional training or accreditation in Lean methodologies or Leadership Learning Academies (LLA). Experience of innovative learning solutions, including e-learning and Learning Management Systems (LMS), would also be an advantage.

Most importantly, you’ll care about making improvements that work in the real world. You’ll know that successful change isn’t just about introducing a new process – it’s about helping people understand it, use it and make it part of what they do.

What’s in it for you?

At Northern, we don’t just value our people - we go the extra mile to support them. Here’s a taste of what you can look forward to:

• Free Travel: Unlimited free travel for you, your partner, and your dependents on Northern services. Plus up to 75% discount on other networks in the UK and Europe.
• Generous Pension Scheme: We top up your contributions by 1.5 times.
• Enhanced Family Benefits: We offer 9 months of full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks for paternity leave.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Save up to 42% on a bike and spread the cost.
• Exclusive Discounts: From shopping to wellbeing, Northern Perks has you covered.
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support for family, lifestyle, and more.
• Training and Career Development: We offer tailored training to our colleagues and opportunities to gain recognised qualifications. Plus enhanced career pathways no matter what part of the business you’re in.
• Recognition: We know how important it is to show how much we appreciate our people. That’s why we have our Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards, recognising and celebrating brilliance every day.

Why Northern?

We’re more than just a train operator. We’re the heartbeat of the North – connecting communities, creating opportunities, and driving sustainable growth. With 2,650 trains running daily, we’re on a mission to improve rail travel and enhance the customer experience while protecting the environment.

Back in 1825, the first passenger train set off in the North of England, beginning a journey that would transform travel across the world. We’ve recently celebrated 200 years of the modern railway and, as we reflect on that legacy, our focus is now on the future as Great British Rail takes shape. Join us at this pivotal moment in rail history and play your part in our journey.

A place for everyone

The best journeys happen when everyone feels welcome on board.

At Northern, we don’t just move people from A to B – we’re building a team where everyone feels they belong. Our talent team can make reasonable adjustments to the process if that’s something you need. We're also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer, so if you meet the minimum criteria for the role, we’ll always offer an interview.

We automate parts of our screening process to remove any unconscious bias and to make sure every application is treated fairly. All successful offers will be subject to a DBS check and a medical assessment.

No matter your background, experience, or whether you call it a bap, barm, or cob... there’s a place for you here in the railway.