Production Team Leader– Talent Pool

FirstGroup; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

GWR is seeking a proactive supervisor to lead Engineering Maintenance, deliver strategic plans, and ensure train maintenance and road vehicle cleaning meet specification across our South West network.

You will set priorities for Production Support Team Leaders and engineers, oversee safety inspections, and use fleet management systems to plan workloads, allocate resources, and drive continuous performance improvements. You will foster a positive team culture aligned with GWR values.

Responsibilities

• Provide first-line leadership, guidance, and support for team members.
• Communicate effectively to share information, resolve issues, and contribute to decision-making processes.
• Take an active role in identifying and implementing improvements to working practices, processes, and operational safety.
• Ensure all documentation is completed accurately, professionally, and to the required standard, including the use of IT systems where appropriately trained.
• Collaborate with colleagues, teams, and stakeholders to develop effective processes and drive continuous performance improvement.
• Monitor, record, and review team performance, taking appropriate corrective action when standards are not met.
• Use fleet management systems to plan workloads, allocate resources, and manage material requirements efficiently.
• Conduct Safety Inspection Tours and Planned General Inspections in accordance with company procedures.
• Liaise with the Plant Team Leader or Depot Engineering Manager (DEM) on landlord, facilities, and infrastructure-related matters.
• Promote and maintain a positive team culture that reflects GWR values, behaviours, and strategic pillars.
• Proactively identify, manage, and resolve conflicts, concerns, or disagreements within the team.
• Foster strong teamwork, cooperation, morale, and a positive team spirit to achieve shared objectives.

Job description

Who are we?

GWR is the proud custodian of Brunel's railway - one of the most prestigious networks in the world. We have some of the newest trains in the country and exciting plans to extend our services. With more than one hundred million passenger journeys each year, we carry people to over 275 stations in the South West, from Cornwall and South Wales to London, passing through beautiful country and some of the UK's top tourist destinations.

We are transforming the way people think about train travel, empowering our team of over 6,000 people from all different backgrounds to make it a great experience for our customers. Together, we will revalue rail as a very special way to travel – relaxing, fast, efficient, friendly and fun.

About the job:

• Supervision of Engineering Maintenance and delivering Engineering plans, strategies, and targets.
• Ensure train maintenance and road vehicle cleaning is carried out to specification as applicable.
• Setting priorities for Production Support Team Leaders/ Route Frame Operators as applicable
• Setting priorities for members of the Engineering Teams (and contractors where applicable), in accordance with their current competencies.
• Undertake leadership responsibilities for your team members and to prepare the way for team development to maintain and enhance competencies for the benefit of the business.
• Maintain information security providing safeguards for commercially sensitive business information as well as personal information regarding employees in accordance with The Data Protection Act 1998.

Your Tasks

• Provide first-line leadership, guidance, and support for team members.
• Communicate effectively to share information, resolve issues, and contribute to decision-making processes.
• Take an active role in identifying and implementing improvements to working practices, processes, and operational safety.
• Ensure all documentation is completed accurately, professionally, and to the required standard, including the use of IT systems where appropriately trained.
• Collaborate with colleagues, teams, and stakeholders to develop effective processes and drive continuous performance improvement.
• Monitor, record, and review team performance, taking appropriate corrective action when standards are not met.
• Use fleet management systems to plan workloads, allocate resources, and manage material requirements efficiently.
• Conduct Safety Inspection Tours and Planned General Inspections in accordance with company procedures.
• Liaise with the Plant Team Leader or Depot Engineering Manager (DEM) on landlord, facilities, and infrastructure-related matters.
• Promote and maintain a positive team culture that reflects GWR values, behaviours, and strategic pillars.
• Proactively identify, manage, and resolve conflicts, concerns, or disagreements within the team.
• Foster strong teamwork, cooperation, morale, and a positive team spirit to achieve shared objectives.

Your Work Environment

• You will be part of a structured and supportive team.
• Clear instructions are given in written, visual, and verbal formats.
• Routines are predictable to help reduce stress and make work reliable.

What Is Expected From You

• Safety always comes first. Speak up if you see or hear anything that isn't safe
• Follow structured instructions and work with the team. No question is too small
• Regular colleague check-ins with your line manager. Your time to give us feedback
• Able to work rosters which include days and nights

We all belong at GWR.

This is our vision for providing an inclusive environment for all our colleagues, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment.

We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA, ethnicity, religion and disability. We maintain zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.

We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.

We review all roles and job descriptions to ensure they are accessible and, where possible, we support and provide flexible working options; we recommend that you refer to each vacancy description for further details.

If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/

https://www.healthassured.org/blog/neurodiversity/