Fleet Commercial Manager

Job Introduction

The role is focused on three areas:

The day-to-day management and implementation of Southeastern’s engineering contracts for supply of planned and unplanned maintenance on Southeastern Rolling Stock, to ensure all contract terms are correctly applied and enforced.

In addition to working with 3^rd party suppliers, the management and implementation of engineering sales contracts with 3^rd party customers, to deliver the best commercial opportunities to Southeastern.

The management and implementation of warranty arrangements (excluding inventory) with suppliers, thus ensuring the warranty contracts, processes, performance mechanisms and resolutions support the needs of the business.

Role Responsibility

• Responsible for the efficient execution of those tasks associated with commercial contracts as directed.
• Responsible for ensuring all contracts with suppliers are correctly applied, vigorously managed and any associated claims for recapturing costs are agreed and settled in a timely manner.
• Responsible for leading the “Excluded Damage” (Damage & Vandalism) review with nominated suppliers as directed each month and ensuring the variable costs arising from all Engineering contracts are minimised, as far as possible.  In particular, this includes expediting, recovery, or resolution of conflicts in Southeastern’s best interest.
• Where necessary, or appropriate, raise technical, production or commercial concerns with the Head or Fleet Commercials, or Engineering senior management team as required to ensure a timely resolution.
• Responsible for agreement and submission of both Purchase Orders and Sales Orders, for payments and claims to protect Southeastern’s financial exposure.
• Where appropriate, identify and maximise the opportunities for 3^rd party engineering sales contracts, including producing information to finance & contracts for pricing sales contracts.
• Were required, seeking guidance from, and providing input to, the Engineering Contracts Manager to assist the interpretation and development of new contracts and contract variations.
• Responsible for the development and effective management of the Southeastern warranty system for its rolling stock projects, components and services.
• Manage the overall warranty process within Engineering, providing analysis of data to support product integrity, reliability improvement and cost recovery (End to End).
• Ensure that all warranty claims are managed within the specified Service Level Agreements and that any associated investigations are of an appropriate standard.  Where necessary arrange joint investigations with supporting competent resource to conclude any warranty claims.
• Ensure that warranty obligations are fully understood both internally and with suppliers and taking action to remedy any deviations from the agreed process.
• Responsible for collecting and monitoring all direct and indirect costs that are potentially recoverable from a 3^rd party supplier.  Raising and settling warranty claims as appropriate and in accordance with the relevant contract.
• Provide data to the business on any adverse trends to stimulate improvements to financial performance and populate a monthly suite of Key Performance Indicators.
• Chair warranty meetings with key suppliers or act as a representative as part of a cross-functional project team.
• Recover any costs that Southeastern is entitled to claim as part of the Rolling Stock Lease Agreements with the Rolling Stock Operating Companies, including Defective Heavy Maintenance and Wheelsets.
• Be part of a cross functional team (as required) to develop and maintain processes and procedures associated with engineering assurance activities and other supporting functions.
• Carry out Fleet Recovery Engineer duties as part of an on-call roster.

The Ideal Candidate

To be considered for this role we recommend you demonstrate the below in your application;

• Supply chain management and commercial contracts – qualification and/or experience.
• A technical/engineering related background – qualification and/or experience.
• Train Operating Company – understanding and/or experience desirable.
• Project Management – qualification and/or experience desirable.

Package Description

Southeastern recognises the value of every individual employee and offers benefits that reflect this.

As well as a generous salary, we offer an comprehensive benefits package which includes;

• A Contributory Final Salary Pension Scheme 
• Free rail travel on Southeastern and GTR rail services (extends to family members for leisure/educational travel)
• After a qualifying period, reduced rate travel on other train operators, including European services
• Up to 25 days annual leave entitlement (plus bank holidays)
• Private healthcare
• Access to an array of discounts for retail and leisure products through our benefits scheme.
• Family friendly benefits including enhanced maternity/paternity leave, parental leave and carers leave.

About the Company

About Southeastern

Southeastern runs train services into London from Kent and East Sussex, operating almost 1,700 trains a day, carrying more than 400,000 passengers, serving 176 stations and covering 540 miles of track.

Just over 4,600 employees - mostly from the communities that we serve - work together to provide this vital service and we are looking to expand our successful team. We have a strong set of values that shape the way we run our business and guide our staff in delivering what our customers need. These are:

• We aim to be the best
• We make the difference together
• We care passionately about our people and our passengers

We are committed to being an inclusive employer, creating a workplace where everyone can come to work, feel safe and comfortable and able to do everything to the best of their ability. Read about some of the great Diversity and Inclusion initiatives our Head of Colleague Experience has been leading on here. 

We recognise the positive value of diversity and it matters to us that our teams reflect the communities we serve. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

We proud to be a WORK180 Endorsed Employer for Women. If you would like to know more information about how we are supporting our employees, you can view our policies and initiatives here.

We have also won the Top Employer award at the Women in Rail Awards 2022!

If you have been unsuccessful in the recruitment process for the same/similar position you will not be eligible to apply for a period of 6 months from that date.

All offers of employment are subject to us obtaining satisfactory references (covering all education, training, employment and unemployment in the preceding 5 years and any previous railway employment). We will also complete right to work in the UK and criminal record checks. This is to ensure we are employing the best person for the role and to protect our customers, colleagues and our reputation. We are unable to offer sponsorship to work in the UK. 

This post will close before the intended closing date should sufficient number of suitable applications be received. Therefore, if you are interested in applying for this role, we suggest that you do so at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment.

SOUTHEASTERN is owned by SE Trains Ltd, a subsidiary of the Department for Transport’s public sector owning group, ‘DOHL.’ DOHL has responsibility for three rail companies, LNER, Northern Trains Limited and SE Trains.

SE Trains Limited