Freight Resource Planner

Purpose of the Role

To efficiently allocate the necessary resources for safe, on time and on budget delivery of Colas Rail Freight services. This will be in line with Colas Rail Freight rostering guideline, various staff Terms and Conditions, and according to customer’s orders, including commercial customers and Network Rail Supply Chain Operations. To produce and own staff rosters from creation to delivery, working closely with Freight Delivery Managers on daily basis and under the direction of Freight resourcing lead. To be the point of contact for drivers and ground staff in respective region.

Person Specification

• Knowledge and experience of general rostering and planning 
• Strong background in dealing with an operational work force and creating rosters 
• for staff that work on a variable shift pattern. 
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiating and communication skills. 
• Able to demonstrate a proactive and pragmatic approach 
• Computer literate with extensive experience in using Microsoft Office. Experience 
• Competent on using Network Rail Online Logistics (NROL) and Train Running 
• Under System TOPS (TRSUT) 
• Excellent attention to details with problem-solving mindset 
• Be assertive and confident when dealing with staff rostering issues. 
• Knowledge and experience of the requirements to consider staff fatigue when 
• producing rosters. 
• Have knowledge and understanding of all operational staff terms and conditions. 
• Experience in making tough decisions in challenging situations to safely and cost 
• effectively deliver to the customer expectations. 
• Excellent geographical knowledge of the UK railway infrastructure network 
• To be able to present information in a clear and concise manner 
• Be able to communicate with personnel at all levels 
• Knowledge of rules and regulations as applicable to Freight operations 
• A proven team player who has the ability to deliver in what could be described as 
• demanding circumstances 
• Confidence to deal with all Colas Rail customers to deliver to their expectations 
• in required timescales, and with high quality. 
• Holder of full UK driving licence 

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure all rosters are of sufficient quality and accuracy. 
• Own and manage the rosters from cradle to grave once created, dealing with 
• amendments or cancellations sickness alongside Delivery Managers. 
• Weekly rosters will be handed over to Control and Delivery managers at T-1. 
• Operations control and Delivery managers will also support for any short notice 
• changes and sickness. 
• Reports to Delivery Manager for day to day tasks, and work under direction of 
• Freight Resourcing Lead 
• Liaise with Delivery Managers on a frequent basis regarding resource plans & 
• work allocation (e.g. Weekly Wednesday resource calls). 
• Closely liaise with Delivery Managers and work under their instruction to plan 
• route learning, as well as facilitate and maintain route and traction knowledge for 
• all drivers. 
• Plan route learning based on up-coming works for SCO as per the T-29 job 
• allocation sheet, and liaise with Delivery Managers 
• Monitor and action of all revised timings and late changes in the same day, with 
• support of Operations control and Delivery Managers 
• Liaise with Business Managers, Planning and Delivery assistant manager and 
• SCO possession planner for SCO work acceptance 
• Cross cover other resource planners while on a leave / sickness / company requirement basis.

What We Offer

• Competitive Salary 
• 26 days Annual Leave 
• Industry leading Life Assurance 
• Healthcare Cash Plan 
• Wellbeing Employee Assistant Programme 
• Pension Scheme 
• Eye Care Vouchers 
• Long Service Award 
• Season Ticket Loan 
• Occupational Health Service