Operations Planner

About us

At the heart of the rail network for over three decades, Porterbrook is the UK's leading rolling stock financier and asset management company with 4000 vehicles in our diverse portfolio of passenger and freight trains.

By working together with our partners, we deliver high-quality, agile rolling stock solutions that ensure the railway remains safe, reliable, sustainable and fit for the future.

We don't just provide trains - we provide a customer-focused platform for long-term success. Since 1994, Porterbrook has invested over £4bn in new rolling stock including £1bn of capital in new trains, fleet upgrades, traction innovation and rail infrastructure in the last five years.

With our strategic and empathetic funding solutions, we're actively looking to invest a further £1bn in the years ahead.

About the team

Our Long Marston Operations Team provide onsite logistical solutions and support services, tailored to our internal and external customers' needs. The successful candidate will be joining a dynamic, professionally trained depot team.

About the role

A great opportunity for an exceptional Operations Planner, to join the Porterbrook team.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop train movements plans to enable optimised safe delivery of all rail operations undertaken at the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre - ensuring peaks and troughs are balanced
• Support the Operations Manager with resource allocation, balancing train driving, shunting, and training & competence requirements
• Implement robust arrangements for the communication of train movements plans to all affected parties (internal & external) to ensure priorities are aligned and agreed, and minimise short notice requests
• Attend weekly planning meetings to enable the train movements plans to be created, and to ensure prioritiesare aligned and agreed, and to minimise short notice requests
• Work with the Operations Manager to ensure no conflicts between test track and non-test track train movements
• Produce daily work schedules for train drivers and shunters
• Monitor fatigue risk profiles of operations team members to enable proactive intervention by the Operations Manager where tolerable thresholds approach exceedance
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders (incl. Train Operators, and Network Rail) to ensure mainline arrivals and departures are included within train movements plans - with hours of site access agreed by all parties, and arrangements in place to minimise 'out of hours' access
• Ensure the site stabling plan is kept up to date at all times, to enable available capacity to be visualised, and future requirements modelled
• Liaise with other Porterbrook departments to ensure a coordinated and controlled approach to the access of trains stabled on site, and that the appropriate permits are issued
• Undertake real time monitoring of daily service delivery, informing the Operations Manager of any delays which could prevent full delivery of the plan (i.e. delays due to train failure, late mainline running, infrastructure defects etc...)
• Ensure track restrictions and speed restrictions are clearly identified on the operations planning board and are communicated to all affected parties
• Produce key performance indicators (KPIs) to enable monitoring of train service delivery
• Support the Operations Manager with additional operations team activities as required

About you

Skills / Experience

What you'll need to have:

• A level or equivalent level of experience
• Knowledge of a Train Planning system and TRUST (Desirable)
• Experience in working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders
• Experience in planning and problem solving to deliver objectives

It would be great if you also had:

• Ability to work flexibly to strict timescales and under a high degree of pressure
• Well organised with a strong attention to detail
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to plan and deliver activities to deliver business objectives
• Ability to exercise sound judgement with good sense of controls
• Computer literacy

A great place to work

We have a collaborative work ethic with our team members across the company, and with our customers and suppliers. In Derby, London and the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre we have the right people, with the right skills, in the right jobs, all striving to drive excellence through strong partnerships that create value for all.

We promote a high-performing culture where everyone is supported to achieve their goals, both personally and professionally. We have a close-knit, diverse team that looks out for each other, and supports our colleagues, communities and the next generation of the railway family.

In recognition of this we have been awarded:

• Investors in People Gold accreditation
• Investors in People 'We Invest in Wellbeing' Gold accreditation
• Engineering and Safety Award Railway Innovation 2025

These accolades reflect the company's dedication to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace where employees are empowered to thrive.

To learn more about why Porterbrook is a great place to work please visit our website and follow us on social media.

Our benefits

We are seeking the very best talent to join the team, and offer an excellent salary, along with bonus and benefits. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a great organisation with outstanding people and a road map for the future to grow and develop the business. Some of our benefits are listed below:

• 1.5x employer contributory pension scheme
• Financial wellbeing support
• Flexible working
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Enhanced Armed Forces policies
• Ongoing support with professional and personal development
• Long service awards
• Porterbrook Star awards
• Healthcare cash plan
• 25 days' annual leave + Bank Holidays + option to buy and sell up to 5 days' additional leave
• Additional days annual leave for long service
• Free parking and electric vehicle charging are available at our Derby office
• Season ticket loan
• Cycle to Work scheme

Should you be suitable for the role, the full benefits package will be discussed in more detail during your screening call.

Equal Opportunities

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us on our journey.

Accessibility

We're committed to helping you perform at your best throughout the recruitment process. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please get in touch with us at We'll be happy to discuss how we can assist.

What happens next?

Once your application has been reviewed, our recruitment team will be in contact.

Our interview process is typically two stages to ensure a thorough evaluation while providing a chance for you to showcase your skills and fit for our team.

This approach allows us to engage in meaningful discussions, assess your qualifications more comprehensively, and ensure a mutual alignment with our company values. If you're ready to take the next step in your career, we look forward to meeting you!

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