Production Manager

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 Group Ltd, Freightliner Heavy Haul Ltd, Freightliner Ltd, Pentalver Transport Ltd, and Pentalver Cannock Ltd. Production Manager Freightliner Heavy Haul Ltd Ipswich We’re looking for a dynamic and experienced Production Manager to join our team at Freightliner’s Vehicle Maintenance Facility (VMF) in Ipswich. As a key member of the engineering leadership team, you’ll be responsible for overseeing the delivery of safe, reliable, and cost‑effective maintenance of locomotives and wagons. You’ll lead production operations, drive continuous improvement, and ensure alignment with business goals and customer expectations. Key Responsibilities Lead and manage daily production activities to ensure timely and high‑quality maintenance of rolling stock. Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards across all operations. Monitor and report on production KPIs, identifying trends and implementing corrective actions. Provide clear direction, coaching, and support to production teams. Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement. Identify training needs and support professional development of team members. Develop and manage production schedules, ensuring optimal use of resources and minimal downtime. Collaborate with planning and logistics teams to align maintenance activities with fleet availability and operational needs. Manage subcontractors and third‑party suppliers to ensure service quality and cost control. Lead root cause analysis and corrective action processes for production issues. Champion lean manufacturing principles and drive process improvements. Act as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders regarding production matters. Support audits, inspections, and customer reviews with professionalism and transparency. Contribute to long‑term planning and strategic initiatives for the depot and wider engineering function. Support budgeting and cost control efforts, identifying opportunities for efficiency and value creation. Participate in cross‑site collaboration to share best practices and standardise operations. Ideal Candidate Profile Proven leadership experience in a production or engineering environment, ideally within rail or heavy industry. Strong understanding of traction and rolling stock maintenance or similar technical disciplines. Relevant engineering qualifications (e.g. NVQ Level 3+, HNC/HND, or equivalent). Excellent communication, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills. Experience with lean methodologies, continuous improvement, and change management. Safety‑first mindset with a track record of promoting safe working practices. Customer‑focused with a commitment to service excellence. Additional Information Participation in the Weekend Production call roster is required. This role is subject to standard pre‑employment checks, including references, medical & D&A screening, and DBS background checks. Why Join Freightliner? Competitive salary and benefits Opportunities for career progression A supportive and inclusive work environment Our commitment to you, once you join our team, is to foster growth and provide developmental opportunities to ensure you reach your utmost potential. We are looking for the most committed and reliable individuals who possess the knowledge, skills and experience needed for their roles. In return we can offer competitive pay, excellent benefits, a competitive pension scheme and a rewarding career in an award‑winning team. #J-18808-Ljbffr