Supervisor, Mechanical and Maintenance

 Reference Number : 1170 

Status : Permanent - Full-time  

Annual Salary / Hourly Rate : 92 534 - 114 307

Number of positions to be filled : 1 

Application Deadline : 02/13/2026

Did you know that VIA Rail is carrying out ambitious projects to modernize its services and infrastructure? From our new ultramodern train fleet to ongoing improvement of our infrastructure, we’re building the future of transportation in Canada. Working for VIA Rail is being a part of a collective effort in sustainable mobility. 

At VIA Rail Canada, our Maintenance department responsible for the servicing and inspection of our trains operates in a dynamic and innovative environment. With the arrival of our new fleet, we are undergoing a major transformation aimed at modernizing our operations to deliver an exceptional customer experience.

Located at the heart of our activities, the Montréal Maintenance Centre plays a strategic role: it is where we ensure the availability, reliability, and performance of our trains to meet the needs of millions of travelers across the country.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, the Supervisor, Mechanical and Maintenance is responsible for supervising skilled trades employees and general laborers, as well as managing the daily operations of the equipment maintenance teams at the Montréal Maintenance Centre.

As a frontline leader, you will guide your team through exciting changes, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, proactive prevention, and operational excellence. You will actively contribute to maintaining a safe work environment, where health and safety remain central to decision-making, while supporting an inclusive and engaging climate. You will play a key role in training and talent development, while ensuring the reliability and performance of our fleet.

By joining our team, you will be part of a historic transformation of rail transportation in Canada.

Employee Management

• Supervise a team of unionized employees (skilled trades and general laborers).
• Apply a hands-on leadership approach focused on coaching and floor presence.
• Develop employee skills and promote a collaborative environment.
• Plan and follow daily maintenance activities in collaboration with the Lead Hand.
• Oversee the onboarding, integration, or transition of employees and ensure their understanding of methods, tools, and health & safety rules.
• Identify and address performance gaps by implementing necessary measures to support expected behaviors.
• Participate in investigations in accordance with the collective agreement.
• Communicate relevant information in a timely manner, promoting transparency and engagement.
• Maintain a positive work climate and effectively manage conflicts through recognition, coaching, and feedback.
• Promote a healthy work environment, a positive culture, employee engagement, and strong relations with the union and partners.

Performance and Collaboration

• Track performance objectives and recommend improvements to increase productivity and efficiency.
• Act as a change agent and a role model for the team.
• Maintain strong collaborative relationships with staff, contractors, and internal clients, addressing issues promptly.
• Oversee the production of accurate delay reports, analyze root causes, and propose solutions.

Quality and Efficiency

• Lead maintenance activities with a proactive approach focused on planned work.
• Manage the sector’s budget, including overtime and materials.
• Ensure train availability and reliability through team efficiency and quality of work.
• Collaborate with planning, continuous improvement, industrial engineering, technical services, and quality teams to ensure safe, timely, and budget-compliant operations.
• Quickly resolve quality issues, employee concerns, and other operational challenges.
• Enforce company policies and Maintenance Centre quality standards.
• Analyze quality indicators (QA) and provide feedback to support process improvement.
• Meet and optimize organizational KPIs.

Requirements

• DEC or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience, ideally in a manufacturing or transportation environment.
• Experience working in a unionized environment.
• Influential leadership, strong managerial courage, and the ability to make difficult decisions.
• Ability to mobilize, rally, and influence teams in a changing environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and strong team spirit.
• Strong problem-solving and conflict management abilities.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
• Results-oriented, with a strong commitment to Health and Quality.
• High adaptability in a transforming environment.
• Excellent communication skills in French and English, both spoken and written.
• Knowledge of Transport Canada railway regulations (asset).
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite.

At VIA Rail, we are proud to be an employment-equity employer and we strive to form teams that reflect the diversity of Canadian society. We aim to remove barriers to employment accessibility and aspire to provide an inclusive and equitable work environment where everyone is valued, regardless of their identity or differences, to enable them to reach their full potential.

If you need assistance in making the recruitment process or the position you are applying for more accessible, please let us know. Alternate arrangements may be offered to individuals who request them at any stage of the recruitment process. All information received in relation to arrangements will be kept confidential.

Note that we will only contact those who are selected for an interview.

Join our 3,000 other employees in helping provide Canadians with a safe, accessible, environmentally sustainable way to travel!