Planning Manager

Planning Manager | Swindon | £65,000 | Permanent

The Opportunity

If you're looking for an opportunity to shape a brand-new operation, lead a sizeable team, and influence the future of rail freight planning, this is a role that offers genuine strategic impact from day one.

As part of a new regional Service Delivery Centre in Swindon, you'll lead both the Planning and Rostering teams, bringing together two functions that have historically operated separately and creating a more integrated, efficient, and collaborative approach to service delivery.

This is far more than a traditional planning management role. You'll have overall responsibility for planning outputs that span from long-term timetable development and industry negotiations through to weekly train plans and traincrew resource allocation. You'll play a vital role in ensuring freight services are delivered safely, reliably, and cost-effectively while supporting the successful launch of the new Service Delivery Centre.

You'll be joining at an exciting time of transformation. The business is looking for a leader who can build capability, challenge convention, develop people, and drive continuous improvement. You'll be trusted to influence how planning and rostering functions operate, while establishing a culture focused on accountability, innovation, and collaboration.

For experienced rail planning leaders looking to take ownership of a critical business function and leave a lasting impact, this is a rare opportunity to help build something from the ground up.

Planning Manager Responsibilities

Planning & Rostering Leadership:
Lead the Planning and Rostering teams, ensuring the successful delivery of long-term, short-term, and weekly planning outputs that support customer and operational requirements.

Team Development:
Build, coach, and develop a high-performing team while fostering collaboration, accountability, and strong working relationships across the Service Delivery Centre.

Contractual & Industry Management:
Lead negotiations and planning activities relating to track access, timetable development, network changes, and wider industry planning processes.

Operational Improvement:
Drive efficiency, optimise resource utilisation, and challenge existing processes to improve operational performance and commercial outcomes.

Stakeholder Engagement:
Develop strong relationships with customers, Network Rail, operational teams, industry partners, and trade union representatives to support successful service delivery.

Ideal Planning Manager

Rail Planning Expertise:
Significant experience within train planning, resource planning, rostering, or planning management environments within the rail industry.

Industry & Contractual Knowledge:
Strong understanding of Network Code requirements, track access contracts, timetable planning processes, and wider rail industry governance.

Leadership

Experience:

Proven experience leading large operational teams, developing capability, and driving performance through others.

Change & Continuous Improvement:
Comfortable challenging convention, implementing new ways of working, and driving operational efficiencies.

Negotiation & Stakeholder Management:
Experience negotiating within regulated or contractual environments and influencing internal and external stakeholders.

People Leadership:
Able to engage, inspire, and bring people on a journey while creating a positive, accountable, and high-performing culture.

Location & Working Arrangements

Location:

Swindon

Working Pattern:
Site-based, Monday to Friday.

Travel:
Occasional travel required for industry meetings, stakeholder engagement, depot visits, and wider business requirements.

Planning Manager Salary

Salary: £65,000

About Ford & Stanley Group

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