Planning Manager

East Midlands Railway; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading rail transport company in the UK is seeking a Fleet Long Term Planning Manager to ensure effective fleet maintenance and planning. The role involves liaising with various stakeholders, managing timetable changes, and promoting corporate values. Strong interpersonal skills, knowledge of the rail industry, and proficiency in relevant IT systems are essential. This full-time position offers a flexible hybrid working model and competitive benefits.

Benefits

32 days’ holiday in the first 2 years

Free First Class duty travel

75% discount on national leisure travel

Generous discounts via employee benefits portal

Qualifications

• Demonstrate strong interpersonal and influencing skills.
• Understand operational and commercial business drivers.
• Proficient in IT systems and Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Act as a role model to promote corporate values.
• Work collaboratively with internal stakeholders.
• Ensure objectives set by the line manager are achieved.

Skills

Interpersonal and influencing skills

Operational and commercial understanding

IT systems proficiency

Communication abilities

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Engineering or management qualification

Understanding of the rail industry

Contract management knowledge

Education

Engineering or management qualification (desirable)

Tools

Infor

Integra

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Planning Manager

Position at East Midlands Railway

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity to join Team EMR as a Fleet Long Term Planning Manager. As a Fleet Long Term Planning Manager, you will own the “Rules of the Depot” to ensure timetable changes support safe, efficient, and consistent fleet maintenance. You will provide occasional emergency cover for the Fleet Planning team and be responsible for forecasting and planning all maintenance and modification activities in line with the 36‑month Fleet Plan. Additionally, you will project‑manage and act as the key liaison for initiatives such as blockade management, timetable changes, and overhaul programmes. You will also ensure the Fleet Planning Team has the necessary information for short‑term planning, and that robust contingency plans are in place to maintain service delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a role model to promote and nurture corporate values and behaviours.
• Work collaboratively across the business, representing Engineering to support EMR targets.
• Ensure personal and business objectives set by the line manager are achieved within agreed timescales.
• Support the Fleet Planning Manager role when required (e.g. annual leave cover).
• Attend and contribute to steering group meetings (e.g. Events Committee, train planning, outstation stabling).
• Represent Fleet Planning with external stakeholders (e.g. Network Rail, Rail Delivery Group, supply chain partners).
• Liaise internally with Technical, Production, and Materials teams to ensure the Fleet Plan is robust and deliverable.
• Lead weekly meetings with the Train Maintenance Planner regarding timetable changes, blockades, and servicing.
• Host weekly meetings with key stakeholders to discuss stabling plans, servicing, and ongoing project work, ensuring relevant updates are shared with the Fleet Planning Team.
• Establish and develop new or existing policies, procedures, and work instructions to meet NRC obligations consistently and effectively.
• Ensure amendments or updates to processes and work instructions are delivered collaboratively and reviewed per company policy.
• Distribute project‑related information (e.g. timetable changes) in a clear and efficient format to the Engineering function.
• Play a supporting role in developing strategies and processes to reduce delays and cancellations.
• Implement improvement actions from the Fleet Performance Improvement team related to tools, processes, or performance.
• Manage unplanned projects as they arise.
• Act as the GDPR champion for the Engineering – Planning department.
• Maintain up‑to‑date records in line with local and overarching GDPR policies.
• Report any GDPR breaches promptly to the Data Protection Officer.
• Serve as the GDPR expert for the department and complete annual refresher training.

About You

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following skills, experience, and attributes:

• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills across internal and external stakeholders.
• Solid understanding of both operational and commercial business drivers.
• Proficient in IT systems, including Infor, Integra, and the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent communication, time management, and organisational abilities.
• A strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Proven senior‑level leadership, supported by an engineering or management qualification (desirable).
• Strong understanding of the rail industry sector, solid knowledge of contract management, performance measurement, and delivery.
• Familiarity with Network Rail’s Railway Operational Centre IT and management systems would be advantageous.

Benefits

• 32 days’ holiday in the first 2 years; moving up to 34 days thereafter
• Free First Class duty travel on the EMR network
• Free standard leisure travel on the EMR network and Train Operating Companies under Transport UK & LNER and 75% discount on national leisure travel (incl. partner and dependants)
• Friends and Family discounted tickets on the EMR network
• Employee benefits portal with access to generous discounts, Cycle 2 Work Scheme and many more!

Location & Working Pattern

Location: Etches Park,
Flexible hybrid working model available.

Application Process

Ready to take on this exciting opportunity? Submit your online application form and upload your CV.

As we operate a blind screening process, please remove all personal information including your name from your CV.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Engineering and Strategy/Planning

Industries

Truck Transportation and Rail Transportation