Local Operations Manager - Drivers

Freightliner is the UK's largest maritime intermodal logistics operator, transporting containers from all major deep‑sea ports to our national network of inland terminals, as well as a leading operator in the UK Heavy Haul rail freight market. Freightliner has operations across Europe offering both intermodal and heavy haul rail freight services, seamlessly connecting European countries and the UK.

In the UK the Freightliner Group operates under a number of legal entities including Freightliner Ltd, Pentalver Transport Ltd, and Pentalver Cannock Ltd.

Reporting to the Regional Operations Manager you will contribute to the delivery of the day‑to‑day UK rail operations. To lead and manage a designated group of drivers to deliver a high‑performing workforce in line with Freightliner’s specific standards in safety, performance, and customer service expectations. To be a highly visible, people‑focused manager, driving improved employee engagement and results. Line management of drivers dealing with individual performance reviews, apprenticeships, briefings, welfare, disciplinary, grievance and poor performance matters.

There is a requirement to undertake an on‑call commitment with this role.

• Ensure a positive safety culture is developed within your area of responsibility, supported by robust safety processes in accordance with company, industry standards and legislation.
• Ensure that all your drivers are trained in emergency procedures for major incidents or accident management.
• Ensure that any operating or occupational accidents and incidents involving employees in your reporting line are properly recorded and investigated to a productive conclusion.
• Ensure that safety arrangements are adhered to and protect the health and safety of employees, other rail users, and the public.
• Compliance with your duty to take care of your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your actions at work.

• Guide, support your team through leadership, teamwork, motivation and involvement.
• Develop and maintain a highly performing and customer focused team of driver staff through effective application of all Freightliner performance management processes and standards.
• Ensure that all staff and drivers in your report line receive adequate health and safety training.
• Ensure employees are appropriately monitored and managed to address unacceptable levels of attendance, performance or conduct.
• Co‑operate with the commercial teams to plan future route learning priorities with special reference to the changeable infrastructure programme.
• Liaise with rosters to ensure efficient use of rostered days at work, minimising dependence on free‑day working.
• Carry out formal or informal competence development, attendance or disciplinary warnings in accordance with relevant policies, procedures and agreements.
• Ensure that all staff welfare and chain of care issues are dealt with to conclusion in accordance with appropriate policies and standards.

• Ensure the effective delivery of resources to deploy drivers and ground staff to meet the train plan, within allocated budget and within performance and safety standards.
• Ensure that processes are in place to reduce impacted minutes through TOPS/ TRUST, mitigate loco failures and reductions – working in conjunction with Control and other stakeholders as appropriate.
• Actively manage, through drivers and ground staff, effective and timely train performance working in unison with other members of staff to a common aim of minimising late running or delays.
• Ensure that the manpower plan and budget within your area of responsibility is managed proactively, and that staff numbers and overtime are managed to budgeted or authorised levels.

• Assign driver mentors to trainee drivers.
• Collate trainee driver hours and provide regular updates or projections on their productivity.
• Liaise with your Regional Operations Manager and group Standards as necessary to ensure that driver and ground staff training is being met consistently and effectively.
• Assist with the delivery of other training…