Planning Manager - South in Swindon

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.

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.

As Planning Manager, you'll play a critical role in ensuring our network capacity, train plans and operational resources are aligned to customer requirements and business objectives.

You will:

• Lead Planning Excellence: Oversee our train planning and rostering teams, ensuring all planning outputs are delivered accurately, efficiently and in line with contractual obligations.
• Drive the production of weekly train and resource plans that maximise operational performance, customer satisfaction and profitability.
• Ensure rosters are published on time and meet agreed fatigue, industry and business standards.
• Optimise the use of traincrew, rolling stock and network capacity to support business growth.
• Shape the Future of Our Network: Lead negotiations and responses relating to timetable planning, network changes and track access arrangements.
• Represent Heavy Haul Rail in industry forums and with Network Rail, influencing infrastructure, capacity and timetable decisions.
• Support strategic planning activities, business development opportunities and major industry change programmes.
• Champion improvements that drive efficiency, performance and long-term value for the business.
• Deliver Safe and Compliant Operations: Foster a culture where safety is always the priority.
• Ensure compliance with industry regulations, governance requirements and company policies.
• Support robust control processes and continuous improvement across planning and rostering functions.
• Drive operational excellence while balancing customer requirements, commercial performance and safety standards.
• Develop and Inspire People: Lead, motivate and develop a high-performing planning and rostering team.
• Create an inclusive and supportive environment where people can thrive.
• Build capability through coaching, development and succession planning.
• Promote collaboration and strong communication across operational and commercial teams.

We're looking for a confident leader who combines operational expertise with commercial awareness and a passion for continuous improvement. You will bring:

• Strong knowledge of freight train operations and railway geography.
• Significant experience in train planning, rostering or a similar rail operations environment.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• A thorough understanding of industry planning and rostering processes, including Network Code requirements and timetable development cycles.
• Knowledge of planning systems such as VoyagerPlan and ITPS.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make sound decisions in complex operational environments.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence at all levels, both internally and externally.
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of business performance, resource utilisation and cost optimisation.
• Outstanding organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to challenging deadlines.
• A collaborative approach and the confidence to lead change, challenge existing practices and drive improvement.

This role involves occasional travel and may require overnight stays from time to time.

You'll thrive in this role if you:

• Put safety at the heart of every decision.
• Take ownership and deliver with confidence.
• Communicate openly and build strong relationships.
• Approach challenges with energy, curiosity and resilience.
• Lead by example and inspire those around you.
• Continuously look for better ways of working.
• Balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational delivery.
• Embody our values and bring others with you on the journey.

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

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.

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.