Head of Production – Leicester
Likely
Sponsorship likelihood
This employer has issued visas recently
Not disclosed
Salary
Not disclosed by employer
£55,000
Going rate
Skilled Worker going rate
This role likely qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 1121 (80% match) is an eligible occupation, with a going rate of £55,000, and Stadler is a licensed sponsor. That is our reading of the rules. Whether they issue a Certificate of Sponsorship is still their call.
This could also be SOC 1241 (Managers in transport and distribution). We read the code off the advert, so it is our best guess, not the employer's.
New graduate or PhD holder? Pick one of the lower rates.
What each route needs for this job
| Occupation code | New entrant 70% of going rate | STEM PhD 80% of going rate | Relevant PhD 90% of going rate | Standard rate 100% of going rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1121 Production managers and directors in manufacturing Most likely code | £38,500 | £44,000 | £49,500 | £55,000 |
1241 Managers in transport and distribution Also possible | £33,400 | £44,900 | £44,900 | £44,900 |
We use the lowest threshold across the plausible codes. Likelihood is Possible at most when the pay clears only a lower rate, or only under a less likely code. How the Home Office picks the code
About the role
HOW YOU CAN MAKE AN IMPACT
This is a senior leadership role responsible for driving the safe, reliable and efficient delivery of fleet production and maintenance activities on a 24/7 basis. Leading production teams and working closely with customers and internal stakeholders, the role focuses on maximising fleet availability, reliability and train presentation while embedding a strong safety culture, delivering contractual KPIs, developing high-performing teams and driving continuous improvement across all operational and engineering activities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and inspire the Production team to deliver safe, reliable and efficient fleet operations that meet contractual performance and availability targets.
- Drive a strong safety-first culture, ensuring compliance with quality, environmental and operational standards.
- Manage day-to-day production activities to maximise fleet reliability, availability and train presentation.
- Build, develop and coach high-performing teams through effective leadership, performance management and succession planning.
- Act as the key customer and stakeholder interface for production performance, service delivery and warranty matters.
- Monitor and improve operational performance through KPI management, reporting, root cause analysis and corrective action planning.
- Champion continuous improvement initiatives that enhance reliability, optimise maintenance activities and improve operational efficiency.
- Lead investigations into safety, quality and performance issues, ensuring timely resolution and sustainable improvements.
- Foster effective collaboration across operational, engineering and performance teams to achieve business objectives.
- Provide leadership support to the wider site, including deputising for the Head of Location when required and participating in on-call arrangements.
- Significant experience within rolling stock maintenance, fleet operations or a large engineering environment.
- Proven track record of leading and developing teams, with at least five years' people management experience.
- Experience managing production, maintenance or operational activities within a transport, rail or engineering setting.
- Strong background in stakeholder engagement, customer management and cross-functional collaboration.
- Experience driving operational performance through KPI management, continuous improvement and root cause investigations.
- Demonstrable experience identifying, assessing and mitigating operational and safety risks.
- Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate, coach and develop high-performing teams.
- Excellent decision-making and problem-solving abilities, particularly in fast-paced operational environments.
- Sound understanding of fleet maintenance, production processes and through-life support principles.
- Strong knowledge of health, safety, quality and risk management practices.
- Ability to analyse complex technical information and translate this into effective operational actions.
- Skilled communicator with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
- Customer-focused mindset with a commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement.
- Working knowledge of Lean, Kaizen, 5S and other modern production improvement methodologies.
- Competent IT user with good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
- HNC (or equivalent) in an engineering, technical or related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
- Technical and managerial qualification(s) or demonstrable experience operating at a comparable level within a production, engineering or rail environment.
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with Stadler, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
Production managers and directors in manufacturing (SOC 1121) · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · basic pay · ~434k in sample- Middle half £41,236–82,680
- Median £56,940
- Going rate £55,000
- Threshold £41,700
- New entrant £38,500–49,500
Similar sponsored roles
See all UK visa jobsNo close matches live right now.
Browse more sponsored jobs at StadlerAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. Stadler holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 1121 going rate of £55,000. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.