Staff Manager

First Bus; Longton; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & wellbeing

Discounts

Cycle to work

Holiday + bank holidays

Pension scheme

Flexible working

Job summary

First Bus is seeking a Staff Manager at Adderley Green depot to lead the operations team, drive on-time performance and ensure excellent customer experience. You will deputise for the Operations Manager, maintain governance, and embed policies within the depot.

Key duties include training coordination, driver performance discussions, disciplinary processes, and collaborating with engineering to optimise service delivery and communication with stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Experience in supervisory roles, preferably in transport.
• Solid knowledge of employment legislation and health & safety.
• Ability to lead and inspire teams to follow best practices.

Responsibilities

• Manage the depot operations team per FirstGroup policies and legislation.
• Coordinate training to ensure operational staff are competent.
• Conduct driver performance reviews and development chats.
• Drive an engaged, high-performing team with continuous improvement.
• Handle disciplinary, grievance or absence reviews per policy.
• Maintain accurate records on operations and employee data.
• Collaborate with service performance to ensure consistent customer experience.
• Improve lost miles and punctuality to meet KPIs.
• Create disruption plans with supervisors and inform relevant colleagues.
• Liaise with stakeholders and attend meetings to improve service performance.
• Local point of contact for fault diagnosis of performance systems.
• Foster collaboration between operations and engineering teams.
• Deliver performance improvement plans and manage costs within budget.
• Ensure adherence to requisition procedures and delegated authorities.
• Maintain relationships with union reps and officials.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Communication

Training coordination

Disciplinary handling

Record keeping

Stakeholder liaison

Continuous improvement

Budget awareness

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

• Previousmanagement 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.