Planning Manager - South

Together, we move what matters

We are at the start of something powerful. Heavy Haul Rail was created with a simple but transformative belief: the UK deserves a smarter, cleaner, more resilient freight future. And we have the opportunity to build it.

Every role in this business carries purpose. Whether you work in operational delivery, driving trains, engineering, or business support, the work you do contributes directly to reducing emissions, easing road congestion, strengthening supply chains and powering British industry. This is meaningful work, with real impact.

Who we are

Previously operating as Freightliner’s Heavy Haul business, we are now an independent company following CMA CGM Group’s acquisition of Freightliner UK’s Intermodal Logistics business in January 2026.

Heavy Haul Rail is the UK’s next-generation rail freight partner built for a sector ready to evolve. We believe it’s time to move differently. Congested roads, rising emissions, fragile supply chains. These aren’t just logistical challenges; they’re environmental and economic wake-up calls. We’re here to lead the modal shift, helping businesses transition from road to rail with confidence, clarity, and measurable impact.

We move 17 million tonnes of freight a year for customers in the industrial, energy and construction markets. The company operates 95 locomotives and over 1000 wagons. Heavy Haul Rail’s team of 950 supports customer deliveries to over 100 locations across the UK, running 250 trains per week.

Heavy Haul Rail also supports the renewal and maintenance of the rail infrastructure and supports passenger train operators and rolling stock companies, including the provision of drivers and route conducting services.

But none of this happens without us, its people.

Heavy Haul Rail is proud to be an Armed Forces Covenant signatory. We actively welcome applications from veterans, reservists and service leavers. Experience gained in military planning, logistics, operations or resource management is highly valued and transferable to this role.

The Opportunity

We're looking for an experienced Planning Manager to lead our Train Planning and Rostering teams.

This is a key leadership role, responsible for ensuring our train plans, resources and network capacity are aligned to customer requirements, operational performance targets and business objectives. You'll play a central role in both day-to-day delivery and the future development of our planning capability.

What You'll Do

Lead Planning & Rostering

Lead Train Planning and Rostering teams, ensuring all outputs are delivered accurately, efficiently and compliantly.
Deliver weekly train and resource plans that maximise operational performance, customer satisfaction and profitability.
Ensure rosters are published to agreed timescales and meet fatigue, industry and company standards.
Optimise the use of traincrew, rolling stock and network capacity.

Shape Network Capability

Lead timetable planning discussions, network change responses and track access negotiations.
Represent Heavy Haul Rail with Network Rail and industry stakeholders.
Support business growth through strategic planning, timetable development and capacity opportunities.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency and performance.

Deliver Safe & Compliant Operations

Promote a strong safety culture across planning and rostering activities.
Ensure compliance with industry standards, regulations and company policies.
Maintain effective governance, control processes and performance management.
Balance safety, customer requirements and commercial objectives.

Lead & Develop People

Build, coach and develop a high-performing planning and rostering team.
Create an inclusive, engaged and collaborative working environment.
Support succession planning and capability development.
Foster strong relationships across operational, commercial and industry teams.

What We're Looking For

You will have:

Significant experience in train planning, rostering or a similar rail operations environment.
Strong knowledge of freight train operations and UK railway geography.
Experience leading and developing teams.
A thorough understanding of Network Code requirements, timetable planning processes and industry planning cycles.
Knowledge of planning systems such as VoyagerPlan and ITPS.
Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Excellent stakeholder management and influencing abilities.
Commercial awareness, including resource utilisation and cost optimisation.
Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
A collaborative mindset with the confidence to challenge, improve and lead change.

Occasional travel and overnight stays will be required.

What Success Looks Like

You'll be successful in this role if you:

Put safety first.
Take ownership and deliver results.
Build trusted relationships.
Lead with integrity and professionalism.
Balance strategic thinking with operational delivery.
Embrace change and continuous improvement.
Inspire others and role model our values.

This post is subject to standard pre-employment checks including employment references, medical and D&A screening, and successful DBS background checks.

Why Join Us?

Here, you’re not one small part of a big machine. You’re a key contributor with national significance and real-world impact. We want our colleagues to feel proud of the work they do, connected to our mission and empowered to shape the future of this business. As part of Heavy Haul Rail, you can expect:

Purpose that matters. Your work contributes to a cleaner, more efficient freight industry.

Opportunity to shape what’s next. We’re new, agile and ready to do things differently, your ideas help build our future.

A team that moves forward together. Collaboration, respect and shared ambition define how we work.

A commitment to excellence. We deliver with pride, precision and professionalism.

Room to grow. Your development fuels our momentum.

Our perks and benefits

Our people are our most important asset. We strive to empower our employees, ensuring they are trained and competent, fit for work, always informed, and completely engaged in our culture that places safety and wellbeing firmly at the heart of everything we do.

We are looking for the most committed and reliable individuals who possess the knowledge, skills and experience needed for their roles. In return we can offer considerable career progression, and a rewarding career in an award-winning team alongside:

Competitive pay

Fantastic final-salary pension scheme after an initial qualifying period

Enhanced maternity & paternity pay

Opportunities for ongoing training and development.

Access to the company's life assurance scheme

A range of benefits to make your own so you can get the most of your work and home life which will also help save you money and hassle. From reimbursement on health treatments, to savings on new cars.

Apply now

We know where we’re heading. We know why it matters. Now, it’s time to move, to make it real, together.

For queries contact [email protected]

Shaping tomorrow. Starting today

The future we want to build won’t happen on its own, we have to move it forward, together. Heavy Haul Rail has the purpose, the ambition and the opportunity to reshape how Britain moves. Whatever our roles, we are collaborators, creators and custodians of a better future. This journey starts with what we choose to do today, tomorrow and every day after that.

Our values are:

Make Every Mile Matter: We act with intention and responsibility, knowing our work shapes a cleaner, stronger future for the UK.

Build Boldly: We use our entrepreneurial spirit to challenge legacy thinking and design better ways forward, for our customers, our industry and each other.

We move as one: We collaborate with trust, respect and shared momentum, because progress is a team sport.

Deliver with certainty: We stand behind our work. We’re reliable, precise and accountable in everything we do.

Fuelling The Future: We invest in our people and our potential, championing learning, curiosity and continuous improvement. with confidence, clarity, and measurable impact.

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