Production Optimisation Lead

Salary: Circa £50,000 - £56,000 depending on skills, knowledge and experience
Grade: SME0

Contract type: LU

Reference: 2761

Contract details: 12 Fixed Term Contract with a possibility of permanency

Location: Acton

Application closing date: 11 January 2026 at 23:59. We may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.  

Overview of project/role

The Railway Engineering Workshops (REW) & the Train Maintenance Unit (TMU) are key to delivering effective maintenance, repairs and overhauls to Transport for London assets (predominantly for London Underground). Undertaking a range of activity, effective forecasting and planning is essential to ensure an efficient operation, delivering outputs that meet internal customers' quality, timeliness and financial expectations.

The Production Optimisation specialist will help to provide an accurate understanding of the capacity in the workshops and provide efficiency improvement proposals to optimise its use. The individual will undertake a Task Build study of workshops in Acton and Lillie Bridge & help to build & update a complete capacity plan for analysis which will be used in conjunction with discussions of new works for REW. The data will also be used to improve internal job cost data and will feed into the S4 Hana "Get Fit" programme of works. 

Key Accountabilities

• Deliver Task Build Time studies of workshop activities - priority, agreed by the Capacity and forecasting Manager to identify capacity increase and efficiency opportunities, for each Workshop Provide recommendations to be used, to create plans on improving Efficiency and capacity to deliver both short term and long term forecasted throughput of REW.
• Identify and support the introduction of process/equipment improvements aimed at improving efficiency and capacity.
• Review and input into the creation of Scope of Works by Engineering; for new equipment and plant required to increase capacity & improve efficiency  
• Collate the data for Task build time studies and update SAP routing to allow for more accurate costing to the business.
• Assist the Capacity & Forecast Manager in the communication of approved new initiatives that improve productivity, process & safety
• To deputise (when required) for the Capacity and Forecast Manager
• To provide weekly updates to the Capacity and Forecasting Manager on Progress of Task Build Studies; the findings and any improvement proposals & produce periodic presentations on progress demonstrating benefits of implemented changes

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Skills

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people at all levels across the organisation. – Essential
• Ability to build effective working relationships (partnering) with people at all levels across the organisation. – Essential
• Ability to manage conflicting & changing priorities and work under pressure to achieve tight deadlines. Essential
• Ability to analyse and create cost benefit data. - Desirable
• Ability to create in depth report as well as high level metrics to show progress and identify areas of improvements. – Essential

Knowledge

• Integrated Management System (IMS) Measurement Practitioner certificate - or equivalent - Desirable
• Knowledge of operational Railway safety principles, regulations and legislation - Desirable
• Good record keeping and application of audit trail knowledge. - Desirable
• Good understanding of Health, Safety, Quality and Environmental standards and their application to the Railway Engineering Workshop - Desirable
• Understanding of the workings of REW & TMU - desirable.
• Awareness of Trade Union representation and processes to follow - desirable.
• Experience of SAP and production processes within – Desirable

Experience

• Producing high quality and readable reports and presentations for all levels of audience - desirable
• Experienced in managing technical meetings. - desirable
• Experience in rolling out of new processes & communicating change - desirable
• Experience of using an asset management database e.g. Ellipse/ Maximo preferred - Desirable
• Experience of using SAP - Desirable
• Previous experience with identifying Improvements & presenting the benefits. – Essential
• Proven experience with Task Build Time studies – Desirable

Application Process 

• Please apply using your CV only
• Think carefully about the skills, knowledge and experience in the advert and cover this in your CV
• PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria. 
 
Benefits

In return for your commitment and expertise, you will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow. Rewards vary according to the level of role but mostly include the below:

• Final salary pension scheme 
• Free travel for you on the TfL network 
• Reimbursement of 75% of the cost of a standard class Ticket for National Rail travel from home or 75% reimbursement on a 28-day flexi ticket
• 29 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays
• TfL is committed to work-life balance, operating a hybrid working approach where business and role requirements allow
• Private healthcare discounted scheme (optional) 
• Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
• Retail, health, leisure and travel offers 
• Discounted Eurostar travel