Join our team: Assistant Train Controller

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

Working with the Train Controller control real time performance delivery and the operation of Heavy Haul Rail Ltd UK services, including: 

• To manage, control, operate and update TOPS, TOPS2000, Trust as required for HHR operations in line with industry standards, Rules and Regulations and industry codes of practice.
• Responsible for day-to-day investigation, disputing and resolution of all aspects of the TDA process for HHR services.
• Support the TC in monitoring HHR services and identification of performance improvements leading to increased efficiency and reduced delay minutes.
• In conjunction with the TC ensure industry processes and contractual obligation for train reporting and delay attribution are followed through to completion.
• Follow up and investigate late starts and on route delays in real time to protect HHR’s interests.

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.

• Follow HS&E procedures to ensure safe working practices, prevent pollution, minimise impacts, maintain competence, and report incidents.
• 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.
• Taking reasonable care of own health and safety and that of any person who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work.
• Ensure that any safety equipment provided to you that you have been trained to use, is deployed in a proper and appropriate manner.
• Ensure all safety critical staff comply with the company Drug and Alcohol Policy (RGGEN/023).
• Manage the normal day to day operation of Heavy Haul Rail Ltd services in a safe and proper manner in accordance with Safety Certificate, railway Group Standards and Heavy Haul Rail Ltd requirements via the company standards and training provided.
• Ensure that all communication in relation to Heavy Haul Rail Ltd train services complies with all current operating rules, regulations and notices
• Ensure that statutory reporting is carried out as required
• Notification of instances to first, second line and engineering on call and subsequent management.
• 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 and H&S legislation
• Carrying out any work in accordance with any training, instruction or company procedure that is relevant to the position and using any equipment provided in line with the training provided and in a proper and appropriate manner.

Compliance and Standards

• Timeously carry out input procedures for the creation and retrieval of information via TOPS, TOPS2000, TRUST; for train documentation, consists, shunt lists and other required functions for HHR.
• Advise and assist other TOPS reporting locations and trouble shoot problems in priority order in HHR
• Assist third parties by agreement with TOPS activity
• Ensure correct TOPS codes for late start and other activities are input into systems in a timely manner ensuring action on information received from terminal and/or groundstaff.
• Support the TC (Train Controller) with booking staff on and off and appropriate alterations to rosters and hire in/out of resources and assets.
• Monitor and remedy any schedule errors including missing, incorrect or deficient schedules.
• Archive any generated paperwork to ensure records are maintained for the agreed time periods
• Continually look to improve the quality and cost effectiveness of HHR TOPS facility, and seek solutions to problem areas
• Provide information as required to the Control Manager, and undertake other duties as directed by the Control Manager, commensurate with the post

Performance

• Day-to-day management of all aspects of Trust Delay Attribution of HHR commercial services up to “Level 2” including period end finalisation
• Provision and analysis of data as and when required to identify performance issues.  Work with other departments within HHR (and Network Rail as required) to investigate and implement improvements that have Schedule 8 savings.
• Work with HHR North/South and RIS to ensure all delays and performance issues are investigated and agreed with NR withing agreed deadlines
• Provide management information as required by the business
• Where appropriate performance failures are agreed as HHR responsibility, negotiate the financial cost of any penalties

People

• Work collaboratively with team members and other departments.
• Assist and deputise for the Train Controller as required.

Financial

• Ensure performance claims are submitted and settled within contractual timescales
• Provide updates and reports and required including updating Power Bi

What We’re Looking For

• Experience of Railway Operations and industry structure
• 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 including TOPS/TRUST
• Keen and conscientious approach to work, able to concentrate for long periods on detailed information
• Basic awareness of Heavy Haul Rail Ltd vehicle maintenance policies
• Knowledge of Heavy Haul Rail Ltd/Network Rail train planning process, industry performance regimes, Network Code/DAPR and Track access
• Knowledge of the Rail industry performance regime

Your Behaviours

• Exhibits and lives Heavy Haul Rail’s values.
• Commitment to work safely and remain calm under pressure.
• 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.
• Awareness of the nature of our customers business requirements and an outward looking focus towards helping them achieve their objectives.

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.