Position Summary
The Schedules Manager is an integral part of the Local Business Unit (LBU) commercial function with a primary focus on efficiency and stakeholder relationships.
The client will also accept candidates with no Schedules experience, but confident in managing data (string excel skills) and/or experience in Transport Management or in the transport sector.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Responsibility for all aspects of the Scheduling Team's output.
• Responsibility for schedules efficiency within the LBU, working within delegated authorities and collaborating with the Central (Divisional) Optibus subject matter expert (SME) to model the impact of driver labour agreement changes.
• Monitor schedules efficiency to ensure costs are kept under control and delegated authorities are adhered to. Ensure that duties costs remain within control, whilst balancing business need for driver retention.
• Oversee and where required, contribute to, duties creation for the LBU, ensuring these maximise business efficiency and comply with both legal and locally agreed constraints.
• Maintain strong links with internal stakeholders, encouraging their input to highlight problem areas within Scheduling function output and informing them of changes to be made. Relationships that require management include, but are not limited to:
  • The LBU Network Team, to ensure 2-way feedback on driver efficiency and network plans. Ensuring a robust line of communication that results in data-driven and well-balanced customer, shareholder and employee-focussed network and scheduling decisions.
  • The Central (Divisional) support teams, regards the Scheduling Team's systems and processes. Act as a SME to continuously improve the Scheduling Team's processes and supporting technology.
• Operations and HR colleagues with the aim of improving driver satisfaction and reducing fatigue, with the ultimate aim of reducing driver turnover.
• Trade Union colleagues. Oversee the legality of duties with local Trade Union representatives.
• Develop a sound understanding of the scheduling system(s), including updating of key preferences and constraints which drive the driver duty optimisation.
• Ensure the compliant, timely and robustness of outputs for all other systems as required by the business and update them as appropriate including, EPM, DAS, Ticketer and BODS ensuring a high-quality standard of information is delivered.
• As required by the Head of Network, assist with the preparation of tender bids for submission.
• Other duties commensurate with the role as may be deemed appropriate by the Head of Network or Commercial Director, such as deputising for the Head of Network.

About you

• Be highly numerate and data-driven, with an awareness of the fundamentals of scheduling, optimisation, and workforce planning.
• Understanding of scheduling and the Optibus scheduling system is preferred, though not essential.
• Geographical knowledge of the areas of operation and responsibility is preferred.
• Experience of motivating and leading a medium-sized team.
• Strong analytical capabilities.
• Ability to work in a team.
• Ability to meet agreed timescales.

Key Performance Indicators

• Schedules efficiency.
• Driver turnover; Employee engagement