Rail Planner

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. 

Who we are 

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 with confidence, clarity, and measurable impact.  

We move 17 million tonnes of freight a year for customers in the industrial, energy and construction markets.  The company operates 95 locomotives and over 1000 wagons.  Heavy Haul Rail’s team of 950 supports customer deliveries to over 100 locations across the UK, running 250 trains per week. 

Heavy Haul Rail also supports the renewal and maintenance of the rail infrastructure and supports passenger train operators and rolling stock companies, including the provision of drivers and route conducting services. 

But none of this happens without us, its people. 

Join our team: Rail Planner

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.

Who we are

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 with confidence, clarity, and measurable impact.

We move 17 million tonnes of freight a year for customers in the industrial, energy and construction markets.  The company operates 95 locomotives and over 1000 wagons.  Heavy Haul Rail’s team of 950 supports customer deliveries to over 100 locations across the UK, running 250 trains per week.

Heavy Haul Rail also supports the renewal and maintenance of the rail infrastructure and supports passenger train operators and rolling stock companies, including the provision of drivers and route conducting services.

What You’ll Do

As a member of our train planning team, you will play a part in delivering a wide range of planning outputs, from the Working Timetable to the weekly train plan to meet customer demand.

• Development and processing of PDNS bids to Network Rail.
• Planning and submission of TOVRs for WTT schedules during timetable in line with business requirements.
• Processing of Informed Traveller bids to minimise impact of engineering work on HHR.
• Engagement with customers to deliver weekly plans in line with customer requirements.
• Timing and bidding of STP amendments to align base train schedules with customer requirements.
• Effective and efficient diagramming of drivers, ground staff, locomotives, wagons and staff cars to ensure an efficient and workable weekly plan.
• Negotiation and agreement of Engineering Access Statement.
• Negotiation and agreement of Train Planning Rules.
• Engagement with industry stakeholders to develop new timetable structures, including participation in Event Steering Groups and other industry meetings.
• Development of new timetable structures from scratch for existing contracts.
• Design and development of new train plans for new customers.
• Resource planning for new business to facilitate business pricing.
• Development of capacity studies for engineering work with Network Rail.
• Continuous improvement of train plans and diagrams seeking to deliver improvements to efficiency.
• Engagement with various internal stakeholders within HHR to ensure compliance with internal requirements and restrictions.
• Work alongside Control team and other teams within business as required to ensure industry leading service delivery.
• In the event of disruption or emergency situations provide support to the TC and ATC within the range of competent skills held. Compliance with all Network Code timescales.
• Follow HS&E procedures to ensure safe working practices, prevent pollution, minimise impacts, maintain competence, and report incidents.

What We’re Looking For

• Works as part of a wider team to achieve business success and ensure compliance with external regulations.
• High level of attention to detail.
• Ability to deliver multiple tasks under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
• Innovative thinker, with a proactive approach to proposing and implementing improvements.
• Approaches work with flexibility, drive, energy and enthusiasm.
• Commercially astute, with drive to deliver high levels of customer service efficiently.
• Confident communicator with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Sets high standards of work for self, and team, and consistently achieves these.
• High level of integrity and openness, combined with commitment to good governance

Your Behaviours

• Exhibits and lives Heavy Haul Rail’s values.
• 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 for self, and team, and consistently achieves 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, in pursuit of business growth and success.
• Leads by example and provides honest and clear leadership that helps drive results.
• Listens attentively to others’ perspectives and provides constructive feedback and coaching.

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

Why Join Us?

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. As part of Heavy Haul Rail, you can expect:

• Purpose that matters. Your work contributes to a cleaner, more efficient freight industry.
• Opportunity to shape what’s next. We’re new, agile and ready to do things differently, your ideas help build our future.
• A team that moves forward together. Collaboration, respect and shared ambition define how we work.
• A commitment to excellence. We deliver with pride, precision and professionalism.
• Room to grow. Your development fuels our momentum.

Our perks and benefits

Our people are our most important asset. We strive to empower our employees, ensuring they are trained and competent, fit for work, always informed, and completely engaged in our culture that places safety and wellbeing firmly at the heart of everything we do.

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 considerable career progression, and a rewarding career in an award-winning team alongside:

• Competitive pay
• Fantastic final-salary pension scheme after an initial qualifying period
• Enhanced maternity & paternity pay
• Opportunities for ongoing training and development.
• Access to the company's life assurance scheme
• A range of benefits to make your own so you can get the most of your work and home life which will also help save you money and hassle. From reimbursement on health treatments, to savings on new cars.

Apply now

We know where we’re heading. We know why it matters. Now, it’s time to move, to make it real, together.

If you meet the criteria outlined above, apply now using this link.

For queries contact careers@heavyhaulrail.co.uk

Shaping tomorrow. Starting today

The future we want to build won’t happen on its own, we have to move it forward, together. Heavy Haul Rail has the purpose, the ambition and the opportunity to reshape how Britain moves. Whatever our roles, we are collaborators, creators and custodians of a better future. This journey starts with what we choose to do today, tomorrow and every day after that.

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.

Why Join Us? 

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. As part of Heavy Haul Rail, you can expect: 

• Purpose that matters. Your work contributes to a cleaner, more efficient freight industry. 

• Opportunity to shape what’s next. We’re new, agile and ready to do things differently, your ideas help build our future. 

• A team that moves forward together. Collaboration, respect and shared ambition define how we work. 

• A commitment to excellence. We deliver with pride, precision and professionalism. 

• Room to grow. Your development fuels our momentum. 

Our perks and benefits 

Our people are our most important asset. We strive to empower our employees, ensuring they are trained and competent, fit for work, always informed, and completely engaged in our culture that places safety and wellbeing firmly at the heart of everything we do.  

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 considerable career progression, and a rewarding career in an award-winning team alongside:  

• Competitive pay 

• Fantastic final-salary pension scheme after an initial qualifying period  

• Enhanced maternity & paternity pay 

• Opportunities for ongoing training and development. 

• Access to the company's life assurance scheme  

• A range of benefits to make your own so you can get the most of your work and home life which will also help save you money and hassle. From reimbursement on health treatments, to savings on new cars. 

Apply now 

We know where we’re heading. We know why it matters. Now, it’s time to move, to make it real, together. 

For queries contact careers@heavyhaulrail.co.uk 

Shaping tomorrow. Starting today  

The future we want to build won’t happen on its own, we have to move it forward, together. Heavy Haul Rail has the purpose, the ambition and the opportunity to reshape how Britain moves. Whatever our roles, we are collaborators, creators and custodians of a better future. This journey starts with what we choose to do today, tomorrow and every day after that. 

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. with confidence, clarity, and measurable impact.