Staff Manager

First Midland Red Buses Ltd; Adderley Green; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Simply Health

EAP 24/7 mental health support

Staff discounts on high street brands

Discounted bus pass after 6 months

Pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Flexible working

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Job summary

First Bus in Adderley Green is seeking a Staff Manager to lead the depot operations and deputise for the Operations Manager. You will drive on-time performance, enhance customer experience, and ensure governance and policy compliance within the operations framework.

You will engage frontline colleagues, oversee driver performance, and support training and development while maintaining accurate records and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Must have management or supervisory experience in a transport setting.
• Solid knowledge of Road Traffic Act and current employment law.
• Proven ability to lead teams and drive improvements in operations.

Responsibilities

• Support and deputise for Operations Manager to run depot performance.
• Improve on-time performance and customer experience within governance rules.
• Manage drivers, conduct chats, and support induction and development.
• Maintain records and ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
• Liaise with service performance teams and external stakeholders.
• Deliver performance improvement plans and control costs within budget.
• Collaborate with engineering to ensure consistent service and safety.

Skills

Management experience

Excellent computer skills

Road Traffic Act knowledge

Employment legislation knowledge

Leadership & team development

Planning & prioritising

Customer focus

Job description

About First Bus: Are you ready to advance your career with one of the UK's leading bus operators? Join a forward-thinking company that embraces cutting-edge bus technology, from innovative mobile apps to environmentally friendly vehicles. We are passionate about delivering passenger journeys that are sustainable, comfortable, and efficient. We are at the forefront of innovation in the industry, connecting communities and shaping the future of public transport.

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Staff Manager to join our Adderley Green depot on a full-time permanent basis.

The successful candidate will support and deputise for the Operations Manager to manage all aspects of operational performance including on time performance, delivering excellent customer experience, while managing a governance agenda that supports legislative, process and policy compliance, within the operational excellence framework.

You will engage front line colleagues though effective communication, active listening and recognition Work within and embed the divisional governance framework set by the Operations Steering Group, ensuring that the operational excellence policies and procedures are adopted within the depot.

Key Responsibilities

• Management of the depot operations team in accordance with FirstGroup policies, standard operating procedures and all relevant legislation
• Work with the Training function to ensure that operational teams are competently trained, and to achieve agreed establishment requirements
• Manage driver performance and carry out job chats
• Support the induction and development of an engaged, talented and high performing operations team, nurturing an innovative and continuous improvement culture
• Conduct any disciplinary, grievance or absence management reviews in accordance with Company policy
• Maintain accurate records for all aspects of operational standards and performance, including maintenance of employee records
• Work alongside service performance team members, fostering excellent working relationships between drivers and Supervisors to ensure a consistent customer experience
• Improve operational performance in a sustainable manner, with a key focus on improving lost miles and punctuality, resulting in delivery of agreed key performance indicators
• Manage supervisors to create alternative disruption plans; liaising with and providing information to all relevant colleagues
• Liaise with external stakeholders and attend relevant meetings to improve service performance
• Local custodian and point of contact of escalation for maintenance of fault diagnosis of all on time performance and other service performance business systems
• Ensure collaboration between operational and engineering team members, fostering excellent working relationships between drivers and Supervisors to ensure a consistent customer experience
• Deliver agreed performance improvement plans and operational costs within budget
• Comply with requisition to pay procedures and delegated authorities
• Ensure an effective working relationship with recognised trade union representatives and officials
• Other duties commensurate with the role as may be deemed appropriate by the line manager

Skills/Experience

• Previous management or supervisory experience (within the bus/transport industry preferred, but not essential).
• Excellent computer skills
• Professional knowledge of Road Traffic Act and Employment legislation
• Ability to lead and inspire people to seek and follow operational best practice.
• Knowledge of employment legislation
• Excellent planning and prioritising skills
• Self-motivated with a positive approach to change
• Excellent customer focus

Rewards

• Your health is important to us which is why we offer Simply Health & Smart Health for you and your dependents at no cost to you! This offering includes cash back benefits across optical & dental as well as virtual GP appointments, mental health support and nutrition and fitness advise.
• Our EAP provision offers 24hr, 365 days a year mental health support.
• We are also committed to your financial wellbeing, and we offer a platform with many discounts on high street brands and supermarkets etc.
• Working at First you also receive discounted train travel for you and your family after 6 months service as well as a free bus pass.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• 25 days' holiday + bank holidays.
• Pension scheme and chance to buy discounted First Group shares.
• Flexible working.

Equal Opportunities

Public transport serves everyone, whatever their differences. At First Bus, we want to be an employer open to you, no matter what your differences are. We aspire to be an inclusive organisation because diverse backgrounds, thinking and experiences bring so many benefits to our customers, communities, and people. We welcome applications from all. We are always looking for skilled and talented people to join us across our sixty plus depots from Aberdeen to Truro.

It takes a dedicated team of specialists and professionals over just about every type of role you can think of to keep us on the road and creating amazing passenger journeys. We've embarked on a journey of major transformation - to make sure we put our people and customers first. Our people are the beating heart of First Bus. Without them, there would be no drivers to take customers to where they need to go and no engineers to keep our buses safely on the road. Our transformation programme is designed to reshape our business to meet tomorrow’s travel needs.