Senior Infrastructure Planner in Basford

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.

Post Details

Job Title: Senior Planner Location: Crewe Shifts: Monday - Friday 8:00 - 4:00 Reports to: Infrastructure Planning Manager

Purpose Of Job

This is an exciting and challenging role working within the Heavy Haul Rail Infrastructure Planning Team, who deliver the Network Rail Infrastructure Haulage Contract. The role involves working alongside the Infrastructure Planning manager, planning work from initial allocation, creating diagrams working with the roster and operations teams, and then working with Network Rail to resolve any changes or issues that may arise until the day of train delivery. Cover Infrastructure planning managers duties and responsibilities when they are absent alongside the Contract Manager.

Principal Activities and Accountabilities

• Work as directed by Infrastructure Planning Manager.
• Complete advance summaries of allocated work and be able to identify problem jobs & areas.
• Diagram work in advance and discuss with operations & Rosters as required to resolve issues in a timely manner.
• Support Planning Manager with T-29 orders being able to approximate resources required based on Network Rail orders.
• Work alongside rosters to re-plan existing jobs that can't be covered in current form and make a new plan in order to find coverage.
• Work as part of the planning team to deliver the weekly train plan as required and provide a first class service to both customer and Heavy Haul Rail.
• Manage the focus of the wider planning team in the absence of the planning manager to ensure all deadlines are met.
• Check others work to ensure there are zero errors in the weekly train plan.
• Have knowledge of every Network Rail region and be able to cover any member of the planning team for leave/sickness.
• Be able to plan & manage large, high profile blockades including the use of Lodge turns/site drivers and managing loco recycling.

Experience, Knowledge, Qualifications and Training

• Excellent knowledge of national railway geography is required.
• An understanding of national resource limits for the acceptance/rejection of additional work.
• An Understanding of NR SCO planning systems, processes & communications.
• Excellent Planning skills, with the ability to manipulate diagrams to cover work with the resources available.

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.
• 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.

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.

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.

Our values

• 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.
• 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. 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. 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.