Inventory Controller

Who are we?

South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than 5,000 people. We provide easy and convenient mobility, connecting people and communities in South West London, southern counties of England, and the Isle of Wight.

Join our team and help us continue to bring people together to get the most out of life.

About the job:

The Inventory Controller is responsible for ensuring South Western Railway services planned in the future timetable are available for sale 12 weeks in advance of travel, with the appropriate seating capacity, in order for Advance and other tickets to be available for customers. 

The post holder will build and maintain a strong relationship with the Train Planning Unit to update timetables and capacity information in the Rail Availability and Reservation Service according to changes advised.   

The Inventory Controller will represent the commercial team at Train Planning meetings in relation to short and long term timetable changes, to ensure relevant information is shared with the wider Revenue Management team well ahead of services going on sale.   

Keeping abreast of system development or challenges is a key part of the responsibility, to ensure SWR continue to offer appropriate Advance fares as these become a more popular choice for our customers. 

The post holder will work closely with the wider Commercial Development team to support deliver of our overall fares plans, including supporting the Revenue Management Analyst to make key changes or updates during key projects. 

Your main responsibilities will be:

• Updates and maintains timetables, stock types (including capacity by each class of service) and products in the industry reservation system (RARS) using the Long Term Timetable. 

• Makes necessary adjustments to timetables and stock types where services are subject to change due to reasons including engineering or events. 

• Monitors and requests any changes required to Retail Service IDs (RSIDs) and service reservation flags relating to all SWR services. 

• Maintains a log of all regular South Western Railway services details relevant information including Origin & Destination, departure & arrival time and RSID. 

• Produces regular information to share with the wider Revenue Management team detailing any changes to services including timetables or stock types. 

• Ensures all South Western Railway services are available for sale at least 12 weeks in advance of travel, informs the Revenue Management Team Manager of any delays. 
• Attends regular meetings and workshops with the RARS system supplier and RDG product team to keep abreast of any system developments and discuss challenges or changes. 
• Attending regular meetings with the Train Planning Unit to understand upcoming changes to train services due to engineering work, events or for any other reason. 

• Builds and maintains a collaborative relationship with the Train Planning Unit to ensure any required exchange of information is achieved efficiently and effectively. 

As a minimum, you will need to have:

• Excellent attention to detail. 

• Confident learning complex bespoke systems. 

• Enjoys working through standard processes in a logical manner. 

• Basic MS Excel skills. 

• Ability to understand and interpret data from a variety of sources. 

• Ability to build strong relationships with key stakeholders. 

• Natural problem solver who uses own initiative to diagnose and resolve issues. 

Desirable

• Knowledge of South Western Railway routes and services. 

• Knowledge of South Western Railway stock types. 

• Previous use of the Rail Availability and Reservation Service (RARS). 

• Understanding of railway Headcodes, UIDs, Retail Service IDs and reservation flags. 

• Intermediate or advance MS Excel skills. 

Working Pattern 

Working an average of 37 hours per week over 5 days

Monday – Friday, 09:00-17:00

The Reward:

In return we offer a competitive salary and a variety of valuable benefits, including:

• Free duty and leisure travel on SWR services for employee
• Free leisure travel for spouse/partner and dependants (criteria dependant)
• 75% discount on many other train operating companies
• Full training and support with development
• Large range of exclusive retail offers
• Excellent pension scheme

We all belong at SWR. Our vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all colleagues, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment.

We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain a zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.

We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.

If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below.  We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/

https://www.healthassured.org/blog/neurodiversity/