Job Title: General Manager
Reports to: Head of Operations
Location: York
Position Summary
As the leader of our local York team, the General Manager is accountable for all aspects of operational performance. Proving direction to the operations and engineering teams for the York business unit, the role holder will build a people and customer -centric culture whilst ensuring statutory, legal and regulatory compliance.
Collaborating with the Head of Engineering, and Commercial representatives, the General Manager will champion the continued development of disciplined operations to deliver high levels of customer experience; and ensuring that standard operational policies and procedures are adopted consistently across their teams.
In addition, the General Manager will lead engagement with all key stakeholders including but not limited to The City of York Council and The University of York. The General Manager will support our commercial team in the implementation of local commercial plans relating to network, pricing matters and marketing matters, in collaboration with the Network Manager, Commercial Development Manager and Marketing Manager.
Leading those within the business unit through effective and inspirational leadership, the General Manager will create a fully inclusive workplace across all functions and drive delivery of performance and financial targets in line with the local strategy and plans and the overarching First Bus strategy.
The General Manager will act with integrity and role model First Bus values and behaviours (‘our way') across their business units and the broader business; and through effective leadership and stakeholder management, they will ensure the needs of local authorities, investors, customers, partners, and colleagues are met.
Main Duties
Responsible for the delivery of all key service delivery and quality targets arising from activities in the business unit. Responsible for regular engagement with key clients covering all areas of performance. Responsible for delivering First Group's commitment to safety, through the development and maintenance of SOPs and safe systems of work. Responsible for ensuring that all depot/business unit operations meet current legal requirements and obligations of the business units operator licence. Responsible for ensuring the depot/business unit delivers its agreed budget and profit targets. Responsible for maintaining effective financial control and reporting systems to enable the depot/business unit to meet company accounting and audit requirements. Responsible for maintaining a staff resource plan to ensure, at all times, that the depot/business unit is adequately resourced to meet its workload requirements. Lead the depot/business unit's management team, ensuring that direct reports are properly and fairly appraised, and that they are appropriately developed in line with company policy and practice. Responsible for ensuring, via the management team, the overall effective leadership and management of all staff in the depot/business unit. Responsible for managing industrial and employee relations in the depot/business unit Responsible for delivering all short and long-term depot/business unit improvement plans. Facilitate the efficient incorporation of new activities into the Business unit. Play a full role as part of the regional management team. Support and collaborate with our commercial function. Leading and supporting on projects for the wider business unit. Special Working Conditions
The role will have a number of direct reports and it is essential that the post holder leads and focuses the team to ensure the successful delivery of their objectives. Success in the job will be determined by the degree to which direct reports deliver the measurable service targets, and high performance in the role will be evident in the jobholder's leadership and inter-personal skills, and their ability to influence other people not under their direct control.
Company Responsibilities
To undertake any additional duties at the request of your line manager, which are deemed to be within your competency. To adhere to all First policies and procedures. To undertake any training and development activities at the request of your line manager. To comply with all Safety policies and support new initiatives. To act as a nominated transport manager for the business. Health and Safety Responsibilities
To take care of your own safety and the safety of others at all times by complying with the Injury Prevention Principles and with your responsibilities for Health and Safety outlined in UK Bus Health and Safety Policy FG/000 at all times. To report to your manager any injury, collision, dangerous occurrence or a near miss in which you were involved or are aware of having taken place at your place of work, or any concern regarding any health or safety issue. To participate in raising safety issues through Injury Prevention conversations and Injury Prevention tours. Skills, Experience and Qualifications Required
You must have relevant management and leadership experience which ideally would have been gained in a customer-facing environment. Ideally this would be in the transport sector and specifically the bus market. You will be used to managing a service to tight commercial criteria and be able to demonstrate proven experience of delivering stretch targets. It will be essential to have had experience of managing a team of staff and delivering a service to a series of set parameters. You will have experience of stakeholder management and have ideally worked in a business with a significant key corporate customer. Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external colleagues. You will need to be financially astute and comfortable with managing complex information, producing operational, engineering and financial reports and written communications. Your leadership skills will be vital to provide strategic and day-to-day direction to your team, and you must be effective in managing collective relationships in a unionised environment. Ideally you will have gained (or be able to obtain) a CPC in Road Transport Operation in order to be the O licence traffic manager for the depot/business unit. Performance Measures
Business Unit/ Depot
Contract performance metrics Key client relationship and satisfaction EBIT. Safety Lost mileage Punctuality Staff turnover Vehicle Maintenance Employee engagement survey results Employee absence levels Absolute efficiency of driver payroll Rewards & Benefits
Your health is important to us which is why we offer Simply Health & Smart Health for you and your dependents at no cost to you! This offering includes cash back benefits across optical & dental as well as virtual GP appointments, mental health support and nutrition and fitness advise. Our EAP provision offers 24hr, 365 days a year mental health support We are also committed to your financial wellbeing, and we offer a platform with many discounts on high street brands and supermarkets etc Working at First you also receive discounted train travel for you and your family after 6 months service as well as a free bus pass Cycle to work scheme 25 days' holiday + bank holidays Pension scheme and chance to buy discounted First Group shares Enhanced maternity / paternity pay Flexible working We put a big focus on physical and mental wellbeing at First Bus. We recognise that anyone can be affected by the stresses and strain of work, or life outside it. You'll find a range of health-promotion initiatives, and you will have 24/7 access to our confidential Employee Assistance Programme.
