Location: Leeds/ York/ Manchester
Is crew resource optimisation ‘Your Thing’?
We're looking for a self-motivated and analytical traincrew strategy planning analyst to ensure the right amount of crew operate a successful train service across Northern.
You will work closely with the Traincrew Planning Strategy Manager to oversee the strategic deployment of resources and will play a pivotal role in developing Long Term Plan (LTP) traincrew diagram optimisation solutions to ensure efficient deployment across the North of England.
Through use of optimisation software systems including TrainTRACS, you will develop and create diagram options with in-depth analysis to potential changes to crew conditions, amended rolling stock deployment and to improve the resilience of diagrams. You will be required to work with service planning colleagues to communicate and implement these options to necessary timescales.
If this sounds like your thing, we’d love to hear from you.
Key responsibilities:
This is a varied and challenging role, but here is a taste of what your day-to-day activities could include:
Managing and producing traincrew deployment options to achieve a robust and economical resource plan
Coordinating route and traction options for cost-effective resource planning, focusing on plan simplification
Evaluating implications and assessing changes for diagram and depot allocation adjustments
Providing detailed input for resource strategy development, including depot workload and impacts of changed crew conditions
Analyse aspects of train crew diagramming to drive efficiencies and challenge improvements in use of resources
Assist traincrew diagram teams as necessary
About you:
Your comprehensive knowledge of traincrew optimisation software (TrainTRACS), railway geography, including crew depot route and traction knowledge, will ensure precise and efficient resource allocation. With extensive operational experience and a strong grasp of safety requirements and Northern crew T&C’s, you will play a key role in optimising our service delivery.
We’re also looking for the following:
Strong secondary education background, ideally to A-level standard, with advanced numeracy skills.
Good knowledge of Northern's traction types, crew depot location/facilities and their impact on train planning.
Broad operating experience and understanding of safety requirements in railway operations.
Understanding of Northern's markets and ability to work effectively under strict deadlines.
Highly analytical problem-solving skills with proficiency in train planning IT systems.
Our Benefits:
Because we value our people and reward hard work, we’ve created a benefits package that we think you’ll love. So, you’ll be able to make the most of:
Free Travel on Northern services - everyone who works at Northern, plus their partners/spouses and dependents, can travel for free right across our full network of services. *Certain eligibility criteria will apply.
75% discount with other Train Operating Companies - after 1 year with us, you’ll also get discounted travel on many other rail services in the UK and Europe.
Defined Benefit Pension Scheme - you’ll rarely find a pension as good as a Northern pension, and we top up your pension with a generous 1.5 times your contribution.
Maternity and Paternity Benefits - we go above and beyond the standard, and mums can enjoy 9 months’ maternity leave on full pay while dads can make the most of 2 weeks’ paternity leave on full pay.
Employee Assistance Programme - advice, support and useful information 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on everything from family issues to lifestyle matters.
Holiday Purchase Scheme - if you join us at Manager or Executive level or above, you can use your salary to buy up to 5 additional days of annual leave each year.
You can find out more here.
About Northern:
Connecting millions of people and communities across the North is our mission. With 2,500 trains a day, we connect people to jobs, friends, family, and the wonders of the North.
We're improving rail travel, enhancing the experience on board and at stations. Customers are at the heart of our business as we improve performance and create a better way to go.
We're driving economic value and sustainable growth for the North and its people. Our commitment to the environment means reducing our impact and enhancing the world around us.
Make a difference. Make it last. Make it yours. Make it easy. Make it happen. These are our values.
Ready to make them yours? Join us on this journey.
Please note that Northern reserves the right to close recruitment for this role before the published closing date, if high volumes of applications are received.
However, if you miss the application window for this particular role, please keep checking back for other opportunities. We are always on the lookout for great people to join the Northern Team!
We’re an equal opportunities employer and a promoter of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds, regardless of gender, sex, ethnicity, race, religion, education, socioeconomic background, disability, or sexual orientation.
We also have Disability Confident status, which means we’re committed to making the most of the talents that disabled people can bring to the workplace.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to
Disability Confident.