Train Cleaning Team Leader

Northern; Preston; On-site; GBP 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading train operating company in the UK is looking for a Train Cleaner Team Leader to oversee cleaning operations and ensure high standards are met. The role requires someone adaptable and resilient, who is a natural leader and can work both outdoors and onboard trains under varying conditions. Offering a full-time position, with extensive training provided and excellent employee benefits including free travel and a generous pension scheme.

Benefits

Unlimited free travel

Generous pension scheme

Enhanced family benefits

Cycle to work scheme

Exclusive discounts

Holiday purchase scheme

Employee assistance programme

Training and career development

Recognition awards

Qualifications

• Must have a full clean driving licence and a minimum of 2 years driving experience.
• Currently live within a 45-minute car journey from the station.
• Pass the safety critical medical assessment including drugs and alcohol screening.

Responsibilities

• Support and motivate the cleaning team.
• Ensure high cleaning standards are maintained.
• Lead by example and liaise with all team members.
• Handle cleaning challenges quickly and safely.

Skills

Customer Focus

Shift Management

Health and Safety

Team Support

Leadership

Pride in Work

Communication Skills

Initiative

Education

Full clean driving licence

21 years of age

Job description

FUNCTION: Engineering

GRADE: TPL Night Shift

SALARY: 27933 per annum

ROLE TYPE: Onsite

HOURS: 35 per week

At Northern were all about spotless trains and seamless travels. If you’ve got an eye for detail and a bit of sparkle we’d love to have you on board!

Do you take pride in your work and show real dedication? Are you someone who is hardworking, dependable and enjoys leading by example?

We’re looking for reliable hands‑on individuals who don’t mind rolling up their sleeves, working both outside and onboard our trains throughout the year to help deliver spotless trains and a great experience for our customers.

As a Train Cleaner Team Leader you’ll play a vital role in supporting and motivating your team to deliver the highest cleaning standards, creating a welcoming environment for everyone who travels with us.

Are you confident in:

• Customer Focus: By delivering spotless trains you’re directly contributing to our passengers’ positive experience, ensuring they have a pleasant and clean environment for their journey.
• Shift Management: Ensuring the successful running of the shift from start to finish, meeting shift requirements, and organising workloads.
• Health and Safety: Always adhere to Health and Safety protocols and procedures.
• Team Support: Provide continuous support, reinforcing high standards to team members and newcomers while working alongside our cleaning teams effectively to complete tasks together.
• Leadership: Lead a team to maintain Northern’s high cleaning standards while confidently interacting with colleagues from all backgrounds.
• Pride in Work: Pay attention to detail and take pride in keeping our trains clean and our colleagues’ work environments hygienic.
• Communication Skills: Demonstrate excellent verbal communication.
• Initiative: Think on your feet and handle challenging situations, addressing questions and resolving any issues within your scope of work, including significant cleaning issues that could impact train services such as spills of blood or vomit and ensuring they are resolved quickly and safely.

Are you:

• Adaptable and Resilient: Comfortable working both outdoors and onboard trains, handling different weather conditions and changing demands with ease.
• A Natural Leader: Enjoy working as part of a team but also ready to take charge and lead by example, ensuring your team delivers top‑notch cleaning standards.
• Keen to Learn and Grow: No prior cleaning experience is required; our comprehensive training will give you all the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.
• Flexible: Prepared to adapt to varying schedules, including working weekends and bank holidays, ensuring our trains remain clean and safe for passengers year‑round.

Please note: You must have a full clean driving licence and have been driving for at least 2 years, and this role is safety critical and is subject to Rail Safety & Standards Board (RSSB) regulations. You MUST meet the following criteria for this position or your application will be automatically rejected:

• Currently live within a 45‑minute car journey from the station you work from.
• Be at least 21 years of age at the time of application.
• Pass the safety critical medical assessment including drugs and alcohol screening.
• Not have defective colour vision.

Whats 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: We offer 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.
• Holiday Purchase Scheme: Buy up to 5 extra days of annual leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support for family lifestyle and more.
• Training and Career Development: We offer tailored training to our colleagues and opportunities to gain recognised qualifications, plus enhanced career pathways no matter what part of the business you’re in.
• Recognition: We know how important it is to show how much we appreciate our people. That’s why we have our Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards recognising and celebrating brilliance 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 2500 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 after which rail quickly spread across the globe – and this year we’re celebrating 200 years of the modern railway. As we look back on the historic events that led us here we also look towards the future as we move into the era of Great British Rail. 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 don’t just move people from A to B – 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 for the role we’ll always offer an interview.

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

Key Skills Hyperion, Acquisition, Asset, ABAP, Basic, Activex

Employment Type: Full-Time

Experience: years

Vacancy: 1