Permanent Way Team Leader

Infrastructure Permanent Way Team Leader

Location: Wednesbury, hybrid working options – WS10 0AR
Salary: £46,034 – £51,583 per annum, DOE + Excellent Benefits!
Contract: Full time, Permanent
Benefits: Free Travel on Trams & NX Buses (for you and your partner) + MML Pension + 25 Days Holiday (plus Bank Holidays)

Ready to take the lead on Permanent Way maintenance and help keep one of the region’s tram networks running safely and reliably?

Midland Metro Limited (MML) is looking for an experienced Infrastructure Permanent Way Team Leader to lead our team of PWay maintenance technicians.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone with significant experience in the rail industry who knows Permanent Way inside out.

You’ll oversee planned and reactive maintenance, lead your team out on the network and make sure our track, switches, crossings and associated infrastructure continue to meet the required safety and maintenance standards.

Alongside the day-to-day technical work, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your team, contribute to projects and network improvements, embrace new technology and help us continually improve the way we maintain our infrastructure.

What you’ll be doing

As our Permanent Way Team Leader, you’ll be responsible for:

• Leading and supporting a team of Permanent Way maintenance technicians
• Planning and prioritising planned and reactive maintenance across the tram network
• Overseeing the inspection, diagnosis, maintenance and repair of switches, crossings and bespoke S&C
• Making sure track geometry remains within the required maintenance limits
• Reviewing survey and track geometry data and taking action where defects or issues are identified
• Managing PWay defects and ensuring appropriate risk controls are in place
• Ensuring work is completed safely and in accordance with relevant procedures, standards and CDM requirements
• Using gauges and precision measurement equipment to inspect and assess infrastructure
• Producing scopes of work for Permanent Way repairs and contractor support
• Overseeing contractors and planned works when required
• Organising projects and maintenance activities, from smaller tasks through to larger pieces of work
• Keeping maintenance and asset information accurate and up to date
• Reporting on planned and reactive maintenance activity to the Infrastructure Maintenance Manager
• Supporting the commissioning of new Permanent Way systems
• Helping to develop and continually improve our Asset Management Information System
• Supporting the development, performance and progression of your team
• Looking for better, safer and more efficient ways of working, including embracing new technologies

You’ll also take part in an on-call rota and will need the flexibility to respond to emergencies and unplanned repairs outside normal working hours when required.

What we’re looking for

This is a senior, specialist Permanent Way position, so you’ll already have substantial experience within rail infrastructure maintenance.

We’re looking for someone who has:

• More than eight years’ rail industry experience within a similar maintenance environment
• Strong technical knowledge of Permanent Way maintenance and repair practices, equipment and plant
• Experience inspecting switches and crossings and interpreting detailed technical drawings
• Experience working with track geometry and reviewing associated data
• Experience assessing and managing risk associated with PWay defects
• Confidence using gauges and other precision measurement equipment
• Previous experience successfully leading, supervising and developing a maintenance team
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise work effectively
• Good computer literacy and report-writing skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to use your own initiative and make sound decisions within your area of responsibility
• A flexible approach to working hours
• The ability to operate relevant machinery and plant

You’ll also need:

• An industry qualification in Permanent Way maintenance at Level 6 or above
• GCSE Maths and English at Grade C/4 or above, or equivalent

Professional registration with the PWI, IOSH, ILM Level 3 or equivalent leadership qualifications and SO53/1054 competency would all be highly desirable.

Leading from the front

This role is about more than maintaining track.

You’ll be responsible for the people carrying out that work too, providing leadership, guidance and mentorship while creating an environment where safety, quality and continuous improvement come first.

We’re looking for someone dependable, organised and approachable who can lead by example, communicate confidently with colleagues and contractors, and encourage their team to keep finding better ways of working.

Training and development

We want you to have the knowledge and competencies you need to do the job safely and confidently.

Training will be provided in line with MML’s Infrastructure competency requirements and may include areas such as Personal Track Safety, Points Clipping and Scotching, PICOP/PIC, IOSH, Look Out, GSM, ILM Level 3, Agility Asset Management and training associated with new equipment, upgrades and network extensions.

Keeping the tramway moving

Safety sits at the heart of this role.

You’ll make sure maintenance activities are completed safely, the correct procedures and PPE are followed, hazards and defects are properly managed, and your team complies with the relevant safety and fatigue management requirements.

If you’re an experienced Permanent Way professional looking to combine your technical expertise with team leadership, project involvement and the opportunity to make a real impact on the day-to-day performance of a tram network, we’d love to hear from you.