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- Tasks: Plan and coordinate train maintenance to keep services running smoothly.
- Company: Join Northern, the heartbeat of the North, connecting communities through rail.
- Benefits: Enjoy free travel, generous pension, exclusive discounts, and tailored training.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on rail travel while developing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in railway operations and strong organisational skills required.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team where everyone feels welcome and valued.
The predicted salary is between 55458 - 55458 £ per year.
Behind every reliable train service is careful planning. As a Fleet Planner at Northern, you’d play a central role in making sure our trains are in the right place, at the right time, and maintained to the highest standards. Working within our Engineering team, you’ll help shape the daily maintenance plan that keeps our fleet moving. From coordinating work across TrainCare Centres to responding when trains need urgent attention, your planning keeps operations running smoothly and helps ensure customers can rely on our services across the North. This is a role where organisation, engineering awareness and clear communication come together. Your decisions help balance maintenance needs, operational demands and available resources – making sure every train has the support it needs to stay in service.
What You’ll Be Doing
- You’ll lead the daily planning cycle that ensures maintenance work is achievable, efficient and aligned with operational needs.
- Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading the daily Planning and Production meetings to develop a realistic maintenance work plan
- Creating and issuing daily schedules for routine and reactive fleet maintenance
- Coordinating with TrainCare Centres and outstations to manage maintenance activity and unit movements
- Working closely with Northern Control to allocate trains to diagrams and maintenance locations
- Monitoring fleet mileage and ensuring maintenance intervals are met
- Investigating and resolving data discrepancies within fleet management systems
- Supporting the safe and efficient return of failed units back into service
- Ensuring maintenance plans make the best use of available facilities, resources and equipment
You’ll report to the Fleet Planning Manager and play an important role in keeping our engineering operations connected and running efficiently.
About You
Planning trains and maintenance work across a busy rail network takes focus, organisation and strong collaboration. You’ll bring:
- A strong understanding of railway operations, rules and procedures
- Experience working with rail vehicle maintenance or rolling stock environments
- The ability to plan and prioritise work in a fast‑moving operational setting
- Confidence working with multiple teams to coordinate resources and activities
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
- Engineering qualifications to HNC or HND level, or equivalent experience
Just as important is your mindset. You’ll be someone who stays calm under pressure, works well with others and keeps safety front of mind when making decisions. This is a safety critical role, so the recruitment process includes a safety critical medical assessment. The role also operates on a shift basis.
What’s in it for you?
At Northern, we don’t just value our people – we go the extra mile to support them. Here’s a taste of what you can look forward to:
- Free Travel: Unlimited free travel for you, your partner, and your dependents on Northern services. Plus up to 75% discount on other networks in the UK and Europe.
- Generous Pension Scheme: We top up your contributions by 1.5 times.
- Enhanced Family Benefits: We offer 9 months of full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks for paternity leave.
- Cycle to Work Scheme: Save up to 42% on a bike and spread the cost.
- Exclusive Discounts: From shopping to wellbeing, Northern Perks has you covered.
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support for family, lifestyle, and more.
- Training and Career Development: We offer tailored training to our colleagues and opportunities to gain recognised qualifications. Plus enhanced career pathways no matter what part of the business you’re in.
- Recognition: We know how important it is to show how much we appreciate our people. That’s why we have our Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards, recognising and celebrating brilliance every day.
Why Northern?
We’re more than just a train operator. We’re the heartbeat of the North – connecting communities, creating opportunities, and driving sustainable growth. With 2,500 trains running daily, we’re on a mission to improve rail travel and enhance the customer experience while protecting the environment. Back in 1825, the first passenger train set off in the North of England, beginning a journey that would transform travel across the world. We’ve recently celebrated 200 years of the modern railway and, as we reflect on that legacy, our focus is now on the future as Great British Rail takes shape. Join us at this pivotal moment in rail history and play your part in our journey.
A place for everyone
The best journeys happen when everyone feels welcome on board. At Northern, we don’t just move people from A to B – we’re building a team where everyone feels they belong. Our talent team can make reasonable adjustments to the process if that’s something you need. We’re also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer, so if you meet the minimum criteria for the role, we’ll always offer an interview. We automate parts of our screening process to remove any unconscious bias and to make sure every application is treated fairly. All successful offers will be subject to a DBS check and a medical assessment. No matter your background, experience, or whether you call it a bap, barm, or cob… there’s a place for you here in the railway.
Fleet Planner in Manchester employer: Northern
Contact Detail:
Northern Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Fleet Planner in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current Fleet Planners or people in the engineering team at Northern. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your railway operations knowledge. Be ready to discuss how you’d handle real-life scenarios in fleet planning – they love practical examples!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your organisational skills during the interview. Bring a portfolio of past projects or plans you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Northern team.
We think you need these skills to ace Fleet Planner in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Planning Skills: As a Fleet Planner, your ability to organise and prioritise is key. Make sure to highlight any relevant experience in planning and coordinating maintenance work, especially in fast-paced environments.
Communicate Clearly: Since this role involves working with multiple teams, clear communication is essential. Use your application to demonstrate how you've effectively collaborated with others in previous roles.
Highlight Your Engineering Knowledge: We’re looking for someone with a solid understanding of railway operations and engineering principles. Don’t forget to mention any qualifications or experiences that showcase your expertise in this area.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and you’ll find all the details you need there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Northern
✨Know Your Railway Operations
Make sure you brush up on your understanding of railway operations, rules, and procedures. Familiarise yourself with how maintenance schedules work and the importance of keeping trains running smoothly. This knowledge will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're serious about the role.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
As a Fleet Planner, organisation is key. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed multiple tasks or projects simultaneously. Be ready to discuss how you prioritised work in a fast-paced environment, as this will demonstrate your ability to handle the demands of the job.
✨Communicate Clearly
Effective communication is crucial in this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. During the interview, make sure to listen carefully to questions and respond thoughtfully. This will not only showcase your communication skills but also your ability to collaborate with different teams.
✨Prepare for Safety Discussions
Since this is a safety-critical role, be prepared to discuss how you prioritise safety in your decision-making. Think of specific examples where you've had to consider safety in your planning or operations. This will show that you understand the importance of safety in the railway industry and are committed to maintaining high standards.