Rail Operations Planning Lead - Strategy & Delivery

Caf Rail Uk; Manchester; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Excellent workplace pension (up to 10%

Healthcare cash plan

Bike2Work scheme

Professional Sponsorship scheme

Flexible Working policy

Family Friendly culture

Volunteer days and social value

Career development

Job summary

CAF Rail UK is seeking an Operations Planning Manager in Manchester to lead all planning activities for maintenance, overhaul, and operations. You will develop short, medium, and long-term plans, balancing resources, facilities, and production to meet contractual, operational, and financial goals.

Reporting to the Operations Director, you will collaborate with Production, Engineering, Materials, Supply Chain, Commercial, and Customer teams to translate forecasts into actionable plans.

Qualifications

• Degree, HND, or equivalent qualification in Engineering or Operations Management.
• Strong track record in operational or production planning and resource planning.
• Experience developing and improving delivery performance.
• Knowledge of planning methodologies and efficiency improvement.
• Experience using ERP/CMMS or planning systems; advanced Excel skills.
• Rail industry experience; overhaul or heavy maintenance context is a plus.
• Knowledge of GMAO, SAP, Visplan, Geminys or equivalent systems; Spanish language.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strategic, tactical, and operational plans for maintenance, overhaul, and operations.
• Translate customer requirements and business objectives into achievable operational plans.
• Lead weekly and monthly planning cycles across departments.
• Develop recovery plans when performance deviates from targets.
• Maintain KPI dashboards and provide data-driven reporting to senior management.
• Drive planning process improvements and standardisation initiatives.
• Promote best practice across CAF UK operations.

Skills

Planning & Scheduling

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

ERP knowledge

Excel skills

Education

Engineering/Operations management degree or HND

Tools

ERP systems

CMMS

SAP

Visplan

Geminys

Job description

CAF Rail UK is seeking an Operations Planning Manager in Manchester to lead all planning activities for maintenance, overhaul, and operations. You will develop short, medium, and long-term plans, balancing resources, facilities, and production to meet contractual, operational, and financial goals.

Reporting to the Operations Director, you will collaborate with Production, Engineering, Materials, Supply Chain, Commercial, and Customer teams to translate forecasts into actionable plans.