Depot Manager – Cambridge
Location: Cambridge
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Average 37.5 hours per week (rotational days & nights)
Reporting to: Regional Operations Manager (South)
The Role
We are looking for an experienced and motivated Depot Manager to lead our Light Maintenance operation at our Cambridge depot. This is a key leadership role with full accountability for depot operation, people management, safety, quality, and performance delivery.
You will play a critical role in ensuring trains are delivered safely, on time, and to exacting standards, while driving continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and a strong safety culture.
Key Responsibilities
Lead, inspire, and develop depot supervisory and maintenance teams to meet production targets and customer requirements.
Take full accountability for depot operations, safety, quality, facilities, and performance.
Ensure compliance with all relevant Health & Safety legislation, company rules, and industry standards.
Manage depot processes in line with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and RM3 requirements.
Prepare, manage, and control the annual depot budget and forecasts.
Act as a senior point of contact for customers and key stakeholders.
Drive a culture of continuous improvement across safety, quality, and productivity.
Oversee competence management, audits, and accurate operational reporting.
Provide clear management information and KPIs for internal and external stakeholders.
Support business development activities and input into bids for new work.
Participate in the senior on‑call management rota.
Customer & Stakeholder Focus
Deliver consistently high standards of service aligned with customer expectations.
Maintain strong relationships with customers and key stakeholders.
Identify opportunities to improve service delivery, maximise revenue, and reduce costs.
People Leadership
Recruit, develop, mentor, and coach high‑performing teams.
Deliver effective communication through regular briefs and engagement sessions.
Manage performance, wellbeing, employee relations, and succession planning.
Complete performance reviews and support ongoing training and development.
Authorise payroll and ensure accurate people‑related processes.
About You
You will be an experienced depot, operations, or maintenance leader with a strong background in rail vehicle maintenance or a similar regulated engineering environment.
Essential / Desirable Experience & Qualifications
Experience managing rail vehicle maintenance and depot operations.
Strong understanding of health, safety, and environmental standards.
Proven people management and leadership experience.
Ability to carry out risk assessments and drive safe systems of work.
Knowledge of ISO management systems (9001 / 14001 / 45001).
Engineering qualification (BTEC, City & Guilds or equivalent) – desirable.
ILM Level 3 (People Management) or similar – desirable.
Membership of IMechE or IET – desirable.
Full UK driving licence.
Skills & Competencies
Strong leadership and decision‑making skills.
Confident communicator with the ability to engage at all levels.
Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
Strong IT capability (Microsoft 365; SAP / Maximo advantageous).
Comfortable working flexibly, including days, nights, and on‑call.
What We Offer
26 days annual leave, inclusive of standard UK bank holidays.
Pension scheme.
Life assurance and healthcare cover.
Arriva UK Trains Travel Pass.
Cycle to Work scheme.
Arriva Village retailer discount scheme.
A senior leadership role with real operational impact.
Long‑term career development within a growing organisation.