Network Rail
Who We Are
Join the Southern Region – where your work truly matters. Covering Wessex, Sussex, and Kent, the Southern Region is one of the busiest and most dynamic parts of the railway. Our teams keep some of the UK’s most vital passenger and freight routes moving every single day. This is a place where collaboration, innovation, and resilience are key, and where your contribution will directly impact millions of journeys. We are entering an exciting new chapter as we integrate with train operating companies under one national leadership, creating even greater opportunities to shape the future of rail. From supporting major modernisation programmes to improving performance for local communities and enhancing safety across complex operational environments, Southern offers a fast-paced, rewarding environment to grow your career and make a real difference.
Section Supervisor – Distribution & Plant: Take the Next Step in Your Rail Career!
Location: Lewisham E&P
Salary: Salary offered will depend on your current role, + Band 2 a’s
Hours: Full-Time
Shift Pattern: Days, Nights & Weekends (Safety-Critical Role)
Ready for a New Challenge? At Network Rail, we’re looking for a motivated and hands-on Section Supervisor – Distribution & Plant to join our team at Lewisham E&P. In this role, you’ll play a key part in delivering safe, compliant, and high-quality D&P works across our infrastructure. This is your chance to strengthen your leadership skills, grow your technical capability, and build a clear path toward future roles such as Section Manager.
About the Role
What You’ll Do
- Lead Skilled Distribution & Plant Teams
Supervise D&P activities including planned works, weekend shifts, isolations, and abnormal operations. - Run regular briefings to align your team on current projects, training, overtime, and operational priorities.
- Plan, Organise & Coordinate Delivery
Work collaboratively across disciplines to plan and deliver resources, materials, tools, and plant. - Ensure safe and efficient delivery of both reactive and planned D&P tasks.
- Develop Your Management Expertise
Manage rosters, monitor fatigue levels, and assess staff competencies. - Build hands-on experience in workforce planning, operational management, and team development.
- Ensure Quality, Safety & Compliance
Supervise and verify the quality of Distribution & Plant works to ensure compliance with standards. - Implement and check safe systems of work, method statements, and instructions.
- Conduct inspections, prioritise resulting tasks, and oversee work documentation.
- Prepare method statements, resource specifications, and Safe System of Work plans.
- Drive Efficiency & Performance
Assist in developing forward-looking work plans for safe, efficient delivery. - Support identification and scoping of asset renewals.
- Allocate resources and deliver work in line with maintenance strategy and business targets.
- Maintain Accurate Records & Systems
Keep systems updated with accurate information, inspections, and work records. - Conduct staff surveillance, quality checks, and compliance reviews.
- Support competence management, performance development, and staff welfare.
- Commit to Growth
Take ownership of your own development and help others progress alongside you.
Your Experience and Skills
What You’ll Need
- Experience supervising technical work sites and ensuring safe, efficient delivery.
- Knowledge of resource planning, work organisation, and delivery processes.
- Understanding of Distribution & Plant inspection, maintenance, renewal, and asset condition techniques.
- Familiarity with relevant standards, procedures, and instructions.
- Awareness of cost and waste control techniques.
- Ability to promote and embed safe working behaviours at all levels.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to coach, influence, and develop others.
- Hold or be working towards NVQ Level 2 or 3 (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.
- A full UK driving licence and willingness to drive for business needs.
Important Information
This is a safety-critical role, requiring you to pass a medical assessment and undergo drug and alcohol testing. Flexibility is essential as the role involves working days, nights, and weekends.
Why You’ll Love It Here
Perks That Pack a Punch:
- Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days), with the option to buy/sell days.
- Defined benefit pension scheme.
- 75% subsidy on rail and underground season tickets.
- Up to 75% off leisure travel.
- Volunteer and carer’s leave.
- Healthcare scheme, Cycle to Work, and more.
- Generous family leave policies.
- Plus, more.
We’re All About Inclusion
We value different perspectives and experiences. Whoever you are, if you have the skills and drive, we want you on our team. Bring your authentic self and help us build a better, safer railway.
About Your Application
You’ll be asked to complete your 3-year employment history and upload your CV. Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader, and we’ll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply, and interview for roles. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application. All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.
Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do. Safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should demonstrate your personal dedication to safety on your application.
Drugs and Alcohol Standard: All prospective candidates will be required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Your application will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on Sentinel database, and a 5-year suspension from applying for a safety-critical role, a role which requires PTS certification, or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced.
Ready to take the next step? If you’re ready to build your career, take on responsibility, and be part of a team that keeps the railway moving safely every day, apply now and make your mark.
