Together, we move what matters 

We are at the start of something powerful. Heavy Haul Rail was created with a simple but transformative belief: the UK deserves a smarter, cleaner, more resilient freight future. And we have the opportunity to build it.   

Every role in this business carries purpose. Whether you work in operational delivery, driving trains, engineering, or business support, the work you do contributes directly to reducing emissions, easing road congestion, strengthening supply chains and powering British industry. This is meaningful work, with real impact. 

Who we are 

Previously operating as Freightliner’s Heavy Haul business, we are now an independent company following CMA CGM Group’s acquisition of Freightliner UK’s Intermodal Logistics business in January 2026. 

Heavy Haul Rail is the UK’s next-generation rail freight partner built for a sector ready to evolve. We believe it’s time to move differently. Congested roads, rising emissions, fragile supply chains. These aren’t just logistical challenges; they’re environmental and economic wake-up calls. We’re here to lead the modal shift, helping businesses transition from road to rail with confidence, clarity, and measurable impact.  

We move 17 million tonnes of freight a year for customers in the industrial, energy and construction markets.  The company operates 95 locomotives and over 1000 wagons.  Heavy Haul Rail’s team of 950 supports customer deliveries to over 100 locations across the UK, running 250 trains per week. 

Heavy Haul Rail also supports the renewal and maintenance of the rail infrastructure and supports passenger train operators and rolling stock companies, including the provision of drivers and route conducting services. 

But none of this happens without us, its people. 

Join our team: Duty Control Manager

Together, we move what matters

We are at the start of something powerful. Heavy Haul Rail was created with a simple but transformative belief: the UK deserves a smarter, cleaner, more resilient freight future. And we have the opportunity to build it. 

Every role in this business carries purpose. Whether you work in operational delivery, driving trains, engineering, or business support, the work you do contributes directly to reducing emissions, easing road congestion, strengthening supply chains and powering British industry. This is meaningful work, with real impact.

Who we are

Previously operating as Freightliner’s Heavy Haul business, we are now an independent company following CMA CGM Group’s acquisition of Freightliner UK’s Intermodal Logistics business in January 2026.

Heavy Haul Rail is the UK’s next-generation rail freight partner built for a sector ready to evolve. We believe it’s time to move differently. Congested roads, rising emissions, fragile supply chains. These aren’t just logistical challenges; they’re environmental and economic wake-up calls. We’re here to lead the modal shift, helping businesses transition from road to rail with confidence, clarity, and measurable impact.

We move 17 million tonnes of freight a year for customers in the industrial, energy and construction markets.  The company operates 95 locomotives and over 1000 wagons.  Heavy Haul Rail’s team of 950 supports customer deliveries to over 100 locations across the UK, running 250 trains per week.

Heavy Haul Rail also supports the renewal and maintenance of the rail infrastructure and supports passenger train operators and rolling stock companies, including the provision of drivers and route conducting services.

What You’ll Do

The specific purpose of this role is to:

• Lead and direct, in the region, the control activity through the Train Controllers and Assistant Train Controllers, ensuring that safe and effective decisions are made to protect company interests,
• Represent HHR in industry meetings and exercises as necessary to enhance the reputation and protect the interests of the business
• Be responsible for the evidence-based data to support the Control Competence Management System and issuing of certificate of competencies for each role within the control function including people management processes.
• Provide managerial focus on control activity and staff, ensuring competence and continuity of cover and operation of the control and TDA L1 activity
• To lead and provide continuous improvement of the control activity and that is demonstratable and business improving, including upholding the highest standards of behaviour and accountability of and within the team

The role is required to be competent to cover the TSC, to provide out of hours support to the control and work with the other business unit Control Manager to support when required.

What You’ll Do

Safety

You have specific duties and responsibilities on a day-to-day basis for the occupational health and safety of colleagues, stakeholders and other rail users.

• Lead HS&E performance by ensuring safe work, environmental compliance, incident investigation, entry into work wallet and close‑out, and team competence in line with the management system.
• Ensure a positive safety culture is developed within your area of responsibility, which is supported by robust safety processes in accordance with company, industry standards and legislation.
• Ensure that where appropriate, actions are carried out in accordance with emergency procedures for major incident/ accident management or any other rules, procedures and instructions relevant to your role.
• Ensure that any operating or occupational accidents and incidents involving employees that are identified by you, or identified to you by other people, are advised to your line manager.
• Ensure that any safety equipment provided to you that you have been trained to use, is deployed in a proper and appropriate manner.
• Ensure the control manual is kept up to date and reflective of required changes, with sign off by the SDM
• Ensure all safety critical staff comply with the company Drug and Alcohol Policy (RG_GEN023).
• Manage the normal day to day operation of HHR services in a safe and proper manner in accordance with Safety Certificate, railway Group Standards and HHR requirements via the company standards and training provided.
• Ensure that all communication in relation to HHR train services complies with all current operating rules, regulations and notices.
• Ensure that statutory reporting is carried out as required.
• Support the TC and ATC when required and provide out of hours control support including covering vacant and short term gaps in the roster.
• Taking prompt and appropriate action to ensure safety of people and equipment and infrastructure in normal operating conditions and during out of course situations as detailed in company standards.
• Comply with instructions contained within company standards.
• Observe requirements of OPSHH006 standard.

Compliance and Standards

• Ensuring the control team minimise and manage the effects of operational incidents, cancellations, lateness, etc.
• Complying with Rail Group Standards and HHR Standards, Codes of Practice, Rules and Regulations and procedural instructions relevant to the activity.
• First line representative for HHR interests.
• Manage the safe and economical operation of the HHR network.

Delivery

• Ensuring the control team deliver the daily HHR commercial train plan agreeing priorities and adjustments to ensure delays are minimised.
• Ensuring the control team communicate service disruption to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensuring the control team report all accidents and incidents involving staff and HHR contractors using the appropriate forms and are suitably documented.
• Ensuring the control team where required, arrange for post incident Drug & Alcohol testing in liaison with the on-call manager or if during the day with the manager of the staff concerned.
• Compile evidence-based data to support the competence management system for controllers
• Responsible for the rostering of control team members including ensuring when covering short term resource needs it is done in the most effective and efficient way.
• Lead in HR based activities for control team members, e.g., Return to Work interviews and sickness reporting
• Attend training courses as required.
• To undertake additional/ alternative work where competent to do so, and as directed by your line manager.
• Ensure the locomotive and wagon plan is robust and forward looking to meet the commercial services including reacting to changes

• Execute improvements in the way we work to deliver tangible benefit to our business
• Work with other departments within HHR (and Network Rail as required) to investigate and implement improvements that have Schedule 8 savings.
• Undertake L2 TDA investigation and close out, ensuring L1 is closed out in control.
• Lead extreme weather planning and implementation
• Carry out any duty commensurate with the post, as directed by the Head of Service Delivery

What We’re Looking For

• Experience of Railway Operations and operational procedures and able to work with wider industry peers.
• Good Railway geographical knowledge.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work under extreme pressure and in emergency situations.
• Good negotiation skills and able to resolve problems.
• Strong IT Skills
• Keen and conscientious approach to work, able to concentrate for long periods on detailed information.
• Awareness of locomotive and wagon maintenance cycle policies.
• Knowledge of HHR’s and Network Rail’s train planning process.
• Knowledge of the Rail industry performance regime.

Your Behaviours

• Exhibits and lives Heavy Haul Rail’s values.
• Attacks goals and objectives with drive, energy and enthusiasm.
• Commitment to work safely, and that it is the first consideration in everything that we do.
• Flexibility in respect of hours worked, location, application and output, dependant on the operational requirements of the business – you may be required to work out of hours, at weekends, or away from home/ overnight stays on occasion.
• Maintenance of trust, tact and confidentiality – any breach of confidentiality, pursuit of personal agendas, or expression of opinions not directly related to the requirements of this role will not be tolerated.
• Awareness of the nature of our customers business requirements and an outward looking focus towards helping them achieve their objectives.
• Ability to work to standardised instructions and processes and ensuring that others do the same.

This post is subject to standard pre-employment checks including employment references, medical & D&A screening, and successful DBS background checks.

Why Join Us?

Here, you’re not one small part of a big machine. You’re a key contributor with national significance and real-world impact. We want our colleagues to feel proud of the work they do, connected to our mission and empowered to shape the future of this business. As part of Heavy Haul Rail, you can expect:

• Purpose that matters. Your work contributes to a cleaner, more efficient freight industry.
• Opportunity to shape what’s next. We’re new, agile and ready to do things differently, your ideas help build our future.
• A team that moves forward together. Collaboration, respect and shared ambition define how we work.
• A commitment to excellence. We deliver with pride, precision and professionalism.
• Room to grow. Your development fuels our momentum.

Our perks and benefits

Our people are our most important asset. We strive to empower our employees, ensuring they are trained and competent, fit for work, always informed, and completely engaged in our culture that places safety and wellbeing firmly at the heart of everything we do.

We are looking for the most committed and reliable individuals who possess the knowledge, skills and experience needed for their roles. In return we can offer considerable career progression, and a rewarding career in an award-winning team alongside:

• Competitive pay
• Fantastic final-salary pension scheme after an initial qualifying period
• Enhanced maternity & paternity pay
• Opportunities for ongoing training and development.
• Access to the company's life assurance scheme
• A range of benefits to make your own so you can get the most of your work and home life which will also help save you money and hassle. From reimbursement on health treatments, to savings on new cars.

Apply now

We know where we’re heading. We know why it matters. Now, it’s time to move, to make it real, together.

If you meet the criteria outlined above, apply now using this link.

For queries contact careers@heavyhaulrail.co.uk

Shaping tomorrow. Starting today

The future we want to build won’t happen on its own, we have to move it forward, together. Heavy Haul Rail has the purpose, the ambition and the opportunity to reshape how Britain moves. Whatever our roles, we are collaborators, creators and custodians of a better future. This journey starts with what we choose to do today, tomorrow and every day after that.

Our values are:

• Make Every Mile Matter: We act with intention and responsibility, knowing our work shapes a cleaner, stronger future for the UK.
• Build Boldly: We use our entrepreneurial spirit to challenge legacy thinking and design better ways forward, for our customers, our industry and each other.
• We move as one: We collaborate with trust, respect and shared momentum, because progress is a team sport.
• Deliver with certainty: We stand behind our work. We’re reliable, precise and accountable in everything we do.
• Fuelling The Future: We invest in our people and our potential, championing learning, curiosity and continuous improvement.

Why Join Us? 

Here, you’re not one small part of a big machine. You’re a key contributor with national significance and real-world impact. We want our colleagues to feel proud of the work they do, connected to our mission and empowered to shape the future of this business. As part of Heavy Haul Rail, you can expect: 

• Purpose that matters. Your work contributes to a cleaner, more efficient freight industry. 

• Opportunity to shape what’s next. We’re new, agile and ready to do things differently, your ideas help build our future. 

• A team that moves forward together. Collaboration, respect and shared ambition define how we work. 

• A commitment to excellence. We deliver with pride, precision and professionalism. 

• Room to grow. Your development fuels our momentum. 

Our perks and benefits 

Our people are our most important asset. We strive to empower our employees, ensuring they are trained and competent, fit for work, always informed, and completely engaged in our culture that places safety and wellbeing firmly at the heart of everything we do.  

We are looking for the most committed and reliable individuals who possess the knowledge, skills and experience needed for their roles. In return we can offer considerable career progression, and a rewarding career in an award-winning team alongside:  

• Competitive pay 

• Fantastic final-salary pension scheme after an initial qualifying period  

• Enhanced maternity & paternity pay 

• Opportunities for ongoing training and development. 

• Access to the company's life assurance scheme  

• A range of benefits to make your own so you can get the most of your work and home life which will also help save you money and hassle. From reimbursement on health treatments, to savings on new cars. 

Apply now 

We know where we’re heading. We know why it matters. Now, it’s time to move, to make it real, together. 

For queries contact careers@heavyhaulrail.co.uk 

Shaping tomorrow. Starting today  

The future we want to build won’t happen on its own, we have to move it forward, together. Heavy Haul Rail has the purpose, the ambition and the opportunity to reshape how Britain moves. Whatever our roles, we are collaborators, creators and custodians of a better future. This journey starts with what we choose to do today, tomorrow and every day after that. 

Our values are: 

• Make Every Mile Matter: We act with intention and responsibility, knowing our work shapes a cleaner, stronger future for the UK. 

• Build Boldly: We use our entrepreneurial spirit to challenge legacy thinking and design better ways forward, for our customers, our industry and each other. 

• We move as one: We collaborate with trust, respect and shared momentum, because progress is a team sport. 

• Deliver with certainty: We stand behind our work. We’re reliable, precise and accountable in everything we do. 

• Fuelling The Future: We invest in our people and our potential, championing learning, curiosity and continuous improvement. with confidence, clarity, and measurable impact.