Track Access Manager in Crewe

Freightliner is the UK's largest maritime intermodal logistics operator, transporting containers from all major deep-sea ports to our national network of inland terminals, as well as a leading operator in the UK Heavy Haul rail freight market. Freightliner has operations across Europe offering both Intermodal and Heavy Haul rail freight services seamlessly connecting European countries and the UK.

Purpose of the Role

The Track Access Manager is responsible for ensuring that Freightliner’s access rights within the Track Access Contract are accurate, up‑to‑date, and fully aligned with operational and strategic needs. The role will lead the optimisation and negotiation of Train Planning Rules and Standard Possession Opportunities with Network Rail to secure improved timetable performance. It will own and manage network capability through the Network Change process. Working strategically across industry programmes, the postholder will influence Network Rail’s infrastructure schemes to deliver improved capability for freight operations and ensure Freightliner’s capacity requirements are fully represented within timetable recasts and cross‑industry planning forums.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Ensure Freightliner’s access rights are accurate and up‑to‑date, maintaining alignment with operational requirements through ongoing management of the Track Access Contract.
• Review, respond to, and negotiate all Network Change proposals from Network Rail, safeguarding Freightliner’s capability and ensuring changes deliver operational benefit.
• Support Claims team in submission of contractual claims relating to Network Change proposals.
• Lead the negotiation and optimisation of Timetable Planning Rules, identifying deficiencies, proposing amendments, and securing improvements to timetable capacity and performance.
• Negotiate Standard Possession Opportunities, proactively challenging Network Rail to minimise impact on freight services and secure more efficient possession arrangements.
• Develop and implement Supplemental Agreements to ensure Freightliner’s Track Access Contracts accurately reflect current and future operational needs.
• Influence Network Rail infrastructure projects and industry programmes, ensuring future schemes deliver enhanced capability and long‑term benefits for freight operations.
• Represent Freightliner in timetable recasts and cross‑industry planning forums, ensuring freight capacity requirements are fully understood, protected, and embedded in future plans.
• Proactively challenge existing business processes, introducing new initiatives and improvements that add value to the business.
• Promote strong collaboration and information flow across commercial, operational, and planning teams to embed best practice and support effective decision‑making.
• Provide expert strategic and technical advice on track access, capacity allocation, and network capability to senior stakeholders within Freightliner.

KPI’s/Performance Measures

• Accuracy of access rights maintained in the Track Access Contract
• Timely response to Network Change proposals
• Number of improvements secured to Train Planning Rules
• Number of Standard Possession Opportunities positively amended
• Timetable paths secured for Freightliner during recasts
• Reduction in possession‑related impact on freight services
• Number of infrastructure schemes influenced to secure freight capability benefits
• Delivery of business process improvements
• Quality of engagement and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders

Personal Specification

Knowledge & Understanding

• Strong knowledge of Parts D, G and J of the Network Code.
• Understanding of railway signalling principles and operating practices.
• Good knowledge of national railway geography and Freightliner’s operational footprint.
• High‑level understanding of train planning disciplines, systems and processes.

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to evaluate options using data and evidence.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective relationships across all levels of the rail industry.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to navigate complex issues and make sound, timely decisions under pressure.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, competing deadlines and conflicting priorities.
• Ability to work independently, demonstrating initiative and ownership across a broad range of tasks.

Experience & Attributes

• Proven ability to work autonomously while managing cross‑functional workflows.
• Demonstrated capability to maintain objectivity and independence in decision‑making.
• Experience building constructive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Other Requirements

• Ability to travel frequently for meetings, including overnight stays where required.

Behavioural Competencies

• Exhibits Freightliner’s values and behaviours.
• Attacks goals and objectives with drive, energy and enthusiasm.
• Proactive approach to work and uses own initiative to implement improvements.
• Embraces new challenges, is hands‑on and gets things done.
• Sets high standards of work and consistently meets or exceeds these.
• High level of integrity and openness, combined with commitment to good governance.
• Energetic, highly motivated, with an enquiring mind and passion for excellence and innovation.
• Leads by example and provides honest and clear leadership that helps drive results.
• Listens attentively to others’ perspectives and provides constructive feedback.
• Builds healthy working relationships within the business and with Programme stakeholders while exhibiting independence and objectivity in thought and action.
• Sets high standards for their work but understands the limitations of their knowledge or experience, seeking peer support and guidance when needed.

Our commitment to you, once you join our team, is to foster growth and provide developmental opportunities to ensure you reach your utmost potential. 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 competitive pay, excellent benefits, a competitive pension scheme and a rewarding career in an award‑winning team.