Freight Resource Planner

Description:

At Colas Rail, we have over one hundred years of experience in delivering major innovations across our sector. Every day, thousands of train run on tracks built or maintained by Colas Rail. We deliver on the challenges set by a rapidly changing railway environment - constantly seeking to adapt our behaviour and culture to not only meet and exceed the expectations of our customers and stakeholders, but to also continuously develop and support our people.

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.

Key Responsibilities  

To 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. 
To 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.
Create, input and check the Daily Operations Log on a daily / weekly / as required basis.
Liaise with train planning and loco planning teams for maintenance moves 
Create SCO simplifiers and allocation of work where required. This needs to be shared with NR area teams
Regularly check Network Rail Online Logistics (NROL) for service details and changes
Check Train Running Under System TOPS (TRSUT) if required to ensure accuracy of roster timings 
Liaise with train planners / loco planners regarding service requirements & timings.
Monitor allocated drivers and ground staff availability with regards to annual leave and rest days.
Review and approval of all operational staff absence requests within 7 days. 
Work closely with Core HR/MyColas to ensure annual leave requests are kept up to date. 
Attend meetings as required by the Company (for example – Weekly Vacancy Call and Rail Services weekly resource call).  

Person Specification  

The suitable candidate must have:

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 in using diagramming tools would be beneficial 
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 What we Offer  

At Colas Rail we know how important job satisfaction is for everyone to support with life at home, your health and financial well-being, that's why in return we offer:

Competitive Salary
34 days Annual Leave (including bank holidays)
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