Section Manager for Rail Testing & Lubrication

Network Rail; Hartford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading rail infrastructure company is seeking a Section Manager for Rail Testing & Lubrication in Hartford, UK. This role involves leading specialized teams in delivering safe and compliant rail testing and lubrication activities. You will be responsible for managing in-house teams, ensuring compliance with safety standards, and overseeing budgets and resources. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, experience managing work programmes, and knowledge of ultrasonic testing and lubrication techniques. Flexibility to work shifts is required.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing work programmes effectively.
• Ability to coach, influence and develop team members.
• Knowledge of maintenance, inspection, and renewal techniques.

Responsibilities

• Lead rail testing and lubrication activities.
• Ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.
• Manage budgets, resources, and performance.
• Support on-call rota and resolve issues as needed.

Skills

Leadership and management

Safe working promotion

Communication skills

Change management

Education

NVQ level 3 or 4 or equivalent

Tools

Ultrasonic testing equipment

Lubrication units

Job 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.

• 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.