At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead scheduling strategies and optimise driver duties for efficient service delivery.
- Company: Join First Bus, a leading UK bus operator embracing innovative technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy health perks, discounted travel, flexible working, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace welcoming diverse backgrounds and experiences.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on public transport while advancing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership and analytical skills with experience in scheduling systems.
About First Bus: Are you ready to advance your career with one of the UK's leading bus operators? Join a forward-thinking company that embraces cutting-edge bus technology, from innovative mobile apps to environmentally friendly vehicles. We are passionate about delivering passenger journeys that are sustainable, comfortable, and efficient. We are at the forefront of innovation in the industry, connecting communities and shaping the future of public transport.
Location: South or West of England - Bristol, Leeds or Sheffield
The Schedules Manager oversees the scheduling function within one of the organisation's core businesses, ensuring the delivery of efficient, compliant, and cost-effective duty and roster schedules. Reporting to the UK Head of Schedules, they manage a team of locally aligned Senior Schedulers and Schedulers, driving performance, innovation, and alignment with operational and strategic goals. The role is pivotal in supporting workforce wellbeing, service delivery, and business growth through effective planning, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement. The role holder will collaborate cross-functionally with Network Planning, Operations, and HR to align schedules with strategic service and workforce goals.
Key Responsibilities
- Scheduling Strategy and Optimisation: Lead the development and optimisation of driver duties and rosters, ensuring alignment with operational efficiency, driver wellbeing, and service delivery objectives for their respective business or area.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with Network Planning, Network Process and Governance, Operations, and HR to ensure schedules support workforce availability, retention, and strategic service objectives.
- Trade Union Engagement and Escalation: Act as the primary escalation point for trade union engagement on scheduling matters if a solution can't be addressed, ensuring compliance with agreements and fostering constructive relationships.
- Governance and Service Change Compliance: Ensure their team's adherence to Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Service Change Checkpoints across all scheduling teams.
- Resource Management and Team Resilience: Work with the process and governance sub function of Network to guarantee workload balancing and resource allocation across scheduling teams to ensure resilience and high performance.
- Crisis and Contingency Planning: Contribute to crisis and contingency planning, ensuring scheduling flexibility and responsiveness to service disruptions.
- Continuous Improvement and Innovation: Drive continuous improvement in scheduling practices, embedding best-in-class tools and software, governance, and performance frameworks.
- Regulatory and Operational Compliance: Oversee compliance with regulatory requirements, including driver hours legislation, local agreements, and data submissions (e.g. BODS, DAS, Ticketer).
- Bid and Franchise Support: Support integrated tender and franchise bidding processes with robust scheduling analysis and modelling.
- Ad-hoc support: Other duties commensurate with the role as may be deemed appropriate by the UK Head of Schedules.
Skills & Experience
- Leadership and Team Management: Strong leadership experience, with a track record of managing and developing scheduling teams.
- Analytical and Planning Expertise: High level of numeracy and data literacy, with experience in workforce planning and optimisation.
- Technical Scheduling Proficiency: Proficiency in scheduling systems (e.g. Optibus) and understanding of scheduling principles and constraints.
- Communication and Stakeholder Engagement: Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, including trade union negotiation.
- Commercial and Financial Acumen: Commercial awareness and experience contributing to budgeting, forecasting, and tender processes.
- Regulatory and Legal Knowledge: Knowledge of regulatory and legal frameworks related to driver hours and scheduling compliance.
- EV Management: Experience in managing scheduling for electric vehicle (EV) fleets is desirable.
- Performance Under Pressure: Ability to work in a high-pressured environment consistently delivering on objectives within timeframe.
- Local Operational Insight: Geographical knowledge of the areas of operation and responsibility is preferred.
- Performance Under Pressure: Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities, and deliver to tight deadlines.
Rewards
Your health is important to us which is why we offer Simply Health & Smart Health for you and your dependents at no cost to you! This offering includes cash back benefits across optical & dental as well as virtual GP appointments, mental health support and nutrition and fitness advice. Our EAP provision offers 24hr, 365 days a year mental health support. We are also committed to your financial wellbeing, and we offer a platform with many discounts on high street brands and supermarkets etc. Working at First you also receive discounted train travel for you and your family after 6 months service as well as a free bus pass. Cycle to work scheme. 25 days' holiday + bank holidays. Pension scheme and chance to buy discounted First Group shares.
Equal Opportunities
Public transport serves everyone, whatever their differences. At First Bus, we want to be an employer open to you, no matter what your differences are. We aspire to be an inclusive organisation because diverse backgrounds, thinking and experiences bring so many benefits to our customers, communities, and people. We welcome applications from all.
Schedules Manager in Leeds employer: First Group
First Group in Doncaster is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee development through fully paid training for aspiring bus drivers. With benefits like free bus travel for family and discounted rail travel, employees enjoy a rewarding work-life balance while contributing to the local community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Schedules Manager in Leeds
✨Connect with Local Logistic Groups
Dive into local transportation and logistics groups on platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn. Show up to their meetups if you can – it's a great way to network with industry pros who can share insights, job openings, or even refer you to their own company.
✨Get Behind the Wheel of Job Boards
Look for job boards specific to transportation and logistics, like Logistics Job Site or TransportJobs. These platforms often have listings that you won’t find on general job boards, so they’re worth checking out regularly!
✨Leverage Internships & Graduate Schemes
Many companies in transportation and logistics offer graduate schemes and internships that can pave the way to full-time positions. Don't shy away from applying; even a short stint can make a solid impact on your CV and get your foot in the door at companies like First Group.
✨Apply Directly with Us!
When you find openings at great companies, make sure to apply directly through our website. It not only shows your initiative but also helps us to help you get noticed by First Group. Every application gets us one step closer to landing that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Schedules Manager in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're applying for a role in the transportation and logistics sector at First Group, make sure to highlight any relevant experience. Whether it's moving goods, coordinating schedules, or using transportation management software, give us the lowdown on your past gigs. It'll paint a clearer picture of what you're capable of!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in logistics! If you've optimised routes, reduced delivery times, or improved customer satisfaction, mention those incredible stats in your CV. This gives us concrete evidence of your impact and showcases your problem-solving skills.
Tailor That Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a formality—let it breathe your personality and passion for logistics! Explain why you're excited about the role at First Group and how you can contribute to our team. Don't forget to tie in specific skills or experiences that relate to the job description.
Research and Reflect:Before you hit 'submit,' spend some time digging into First Group. Understand our mission, values, and the specific challenges in the logistics industry. This will help you craft a targeted application that shows you truly want to be part of our crew, setting you apart from the rest!
How to prepare for a job interview at First Group
✨Know Your Logistics Basics
Get familiar with the key principles of transportation and logistics, like supply chain management, inventory control, and route optimisation. You might get asked practical questions about how to improve efficiency, so brush up on your problem-solving skills and be prepared to discuss any relevant software tools you've used.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In logistics, employers love to gauge how you'd handle real-life situations. Expect scenario-based questions where you’ll need to demonstrate your decision-making skills, like how to manage delays or coordinate shipments during a crisis. Practise outlining your thought process clearly and logically.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Experience
Full-time roles in logistics often require collaboration with various teams, so don't forget to showcase your teamwork experience. Think of examples where you've used communication and collaboration to ensure smooth operations, and get ready to elaborate on how you can facilitate teamwork in a busy environment like at First Group.
✨Show Off Your Attention to Detail
In our world of logistics, missing a small detail can lead to big problems. Be prepared to discuss instances where your attention to detail saved the day, whether it was engaging with clients, managing documentation, or tracking shipments accurately. This will help demonstrate how you can be a reliable asset to First Group.
