Train Cleaner - Days

Northern; Manchester; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free Travel

Pension scheme

Enhanced family benefits

Cycle to work

Exclusive discounts

Employee assistance programme

Training and career development

Recognition awards

Job summary

Northern is seeking a Day Shift Train Cleaner based at Manchester Oxford Road. As part of a dedicated team, you will keep trains clean, safe and welcoming during daytime operations, with a 12:00-22:00 schedule and a 4 on/4 off roster.

A safety‑critical environment requires RSSB compliance and a 45‑minute travel radius. We offer generous benefits including free travel for you and family, pension, enhanced maternity/paternity pay, cycle-to-work, discounts and career development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Prior cleaning experience (commercial, industrial, or domestic).
• Exceptional attention to detail and care for passengers.
• Proactive work ethic and ability to work in a team.
• Comfort working outdoors and onboard trains in all weather.
• Physical stamina to stay active during shifts.
• Ability to record and manage tasks in the MPRO5 system.
• Flexible to work various day shifts including weekends/bank holidays.

Responsibilities

• Clean train interiors to high hygiene standards (tables, windows, seats, touch-points, floors).
• Perform quick-turnaround cleans during service to keep trains on time.
• Remove litter, empty bins, and restock onboard facilities during shifts.
• Handle spills safely and promptly following safety procedures.
• Coordinate with depot and operations staff to ensure efficient train turnarounds.
• Keep depot work areas tidy and ensure equipment and supplies are well-organised.

Skills

Cleaning experience

Attention to detail

Team mindset

Stamina

Comfort outdoors

MPRO5 proficiency

Flexibility to weekends

Tools

MPRO5 system

Job description

BUSINESS FUNCTION: Engineering

GRADE: TPO Days

SALARY: £24,558 per annum

ROLE TYPE: Onsite

HOURS: Average 35 per week. 12:00-22:00

SHIFTS: Day Shifts on a 4 on 4 off, 8 week rolling roster

People come to Northern for trains they can rely on – clean, comfortable, and ready to take them where they need to be. Behind every smooth journey is a dedicated team that takes pride in the details others might overlook. Based at Manchester Oxford Road Train Station, you'll be at the heart of the operation, helping to provide a safe, clean, and welcoming environment while supporting the reliable running of train services every day.

As a Day Shift Train Cleaner, you’ll play an active, hands‑on role in keeping our fleet ready for service across the North. You’ll join a supportive, hard‑working team that takes real pride in setting high standards during active service hours. Working on daytime operations means ensuring quick turnarounds, maintaining safety, and responding directly to daily passenger impact. If you have a strong work ethic, proven cleaning experience, and love seeing the immediate results of your effort, this is a great place to build your career.

What you’ll be doing

Working as part of our core day operation, you’ll hit the ground running to make sure our trains are safe, hygienic, and welcoming. Your work will include:

• Cleaning train interiors thoroughly, including tables, windows, seats, touch-points, and floors to high standards of hygiene.
• Managing quick‑turnaround cleans during active service schedules to keep trains running on time.
• Removing litter, emptying bins, and restocking essential onboard facilities throughout the shift.
• Tackling demanding cleaning tasks and spillages safely and promptly, including biological spills (such as blood or vomit), strictly following health and safety procedures.
• Working closely with depot and operational colleagues to ensure all trains are turned around efficiently without compromising on quality.
• Taking pride in maintaining shared depot work areas, keeping equipment and supplies clean, safe, and well‑organised.

About you

We’re looking for hard‑working, dedicated individuals who take genuine pride in a job well done. You’ll bring:

• Prior cleaning experience (commercial, industrial, or domestic), giving you the practical skills and confidence to hit the ground running from day one.
• Exceptional attention to detail and care – you notice the small details that make a massive difference to our passengers.
• A proactive work ethic and team mindset, bringing positive energy, resilience, and reliability to a busy daytime team.
• Comfort working outdoors and onboard trains in all weather conditions throughout the year.
• Physical capability and stamina – you’re comfortable staying active and on your feet all shift (hitting 10,000+ steps a day is standard).
• Confident using technology, with the ability to accurately record and manage tasks such as cleaning schedules through our MPRO5 system.
• Flexibility to work a range of day shifts across weekends and bank holidays as part of your roster.

While full role‑specific depot safety and equipment training will be provided, prior cleaning experience and a dedicated, lead‑by‑example attitude are essential.

This is a role in a safety critical environment, which means you’ll need to meet Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) requirements. To apply, you must:

• Live within a 45‑minute car journey of the station you’ll work from.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Pass a safety‑critical medical, including drugs and alcohol screening.
• Have normal colour vision.

What’s in it for you?

At Northern, we don’t just value our people – we go the extra mile to support them. Here’s a taste of what you can look forward to:

• Free Travel: Unlimited free travel for you, your partner, and your dependents on Northern services. Plus up to 75% discount on other networks in the UK and Europe.
• Generous Pension Scheme: We top up your contributions by 1.5 times.
• Enhanced Family Benefits: 9 months of full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks for paternity leave.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Save up to 42% on a bike and spread the cost.
• Exclusive Discounts: From shopping to wellbeing, Northern Perks has you covered.
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support for family, lifestyle, and more.
• Training and Career Development: Tailored training, recognised qualifications, and clear pathways across the business.
• Recognition: Our Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards celebrate the brilliant work our people do every day.

Why Northern?

We’re more than just a train operator. We’re the heartbeat of the North – connecting communities, creating opportunities, and driving sustainable growth. With 2,650 trains running daily, we’re on a mission to improve rail travel and enhance the customer experience while protecting the environment.

Back in 1825, the first passenger train set off in the North of England, beginning a journey that would transform travel across the world. We’ve recently celebrated 200 years of the modern railway and, as we reflect on that legacy, our focus is now on the future as Great British Rail takes shape. Join us at this pivotal moment in rail history and play your part in our journey.

A place for everyone

The best journeys happen when everyone feels welcome on board.

At Northern, we’re building a team where everyone feels they belong. Our talent team can make reasonable adjustments to the process if that’s something you need. We’re also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer, so if you meet the minimum criteria, you’ll be offered an interview.

We automate parts of our screening process to remove unconscious bias and make sure every application is treated fairly. All successful offers are subject to a DBS check and a medical assessment.

No matter your background, experience, or whether you call it a bap, barm, or cob… there’s a place for you here in the railway.