TransPennine Express (TPE) is seeking to recruit new Customer Delivery Managers (CDMs), explaining the vital role they play in helping passengers get to their destination.

TPE has thirty-five CDMs, whose jobs are funded by the TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU) to assist passengers travelling during the extensive work that it is carrying out.

The CDMs are managed by TransPennine Express and also assist Northern Trains with various tasks to help improve passenger experience across the North of England.

TPE believes that with the TRU and other major projects taking place over the new few years, the CDM role will become increasingly important, and describes it as “a terrific way to start a career in the rail industry”.

To attract applicants, TPE has published quotes from some of the current incumbents.

Railway veteran Timothy Hartley returned to the railway in October 2022 as a CDM, and has recently become a Senior Customer Delivery Manager. He said, “We are always there to help the customer. We bring positivity, we bring a smile on the job, we create a good atmosphere – it really makes your day to help someone.”

Chloe Howard started as Customer Delivery Manager in June last year, and said, “No day is the same for me. If I want to be on platforms all day and help customers out, I have the freedom to do so. But if I want to assist passengers, or help fellow colleagues, I can do so as well.

“We bridge the gap between the invaluable customer experience TPE wants to offer, and customers walking into the station looking to take the train to get from A to B.”

Cian Ryan began working on the railway as a CDM and recently became Service Delivery Support Manager at TPE. He credits the time he spent as a CDM working on the platform for his career progression: “It was crucial. I was able to learn more about the operational side of the railway and understand the different roles within the company. You work everywhere and get to work with colleagues from these different roles and from all backgrounds.”

Chloe added that the role “has allowed me to learn about the railway, the way it works and its history, which will help me grow in the industry. It has helped me build relationships as well, which has led to multiple opportunities, such as shadowing someone from our Major Projects team.”

Timothy added: “It’s a foot into the rail industry – you can create your own career from here. We are always there to help the customer with a smile and customers notice this. They see us on the platforms during disruption, doing our best to get them to their destination.”

The closing date for applications is Monday 12 February, and more information is available here on the TPE website.