Staff Manager

First Bus; Stoke-on-Trent; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

First Bus at the Adderley Green depot seeks a Staff Manager to lead and support the depot operations, ensuring on-time performance and excellent customer experience. You will deputise for the Operations Manager, drive governance adherence, and deliver continuous improvement within the operating framework.

You will engage frontline colleagues through clear communication, training, and coaching, while maintaining records and collaborating with performance teams for consistent service delivery.

Qualifications

• Management or supervisory experience in bus/transport preferred.
• Knowledge of the Road Traffic Act and employment law.
• Ability to lead teams and implement best practice.

Responsibilities

• Manage depot operations team per SOPs and policies.
• Ensure training to meet establishment requirements.
• Oversee driver performance and conduct chats.
• Develop engaged, high-performing operations team.
• Maintain records on operational standards and staff.
• Collaborate with performance teams to improve customer experience.
• Deliver performance improvement plans within budget.

Skills

People leadership

Road Traffic Act knowledge

Employment legislation

Planning & prioritising

Change management

Self-motivation

Job description

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).
• 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