transport planner jobs

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior Transport Planner to lead our busy Container Transport Planning team based at our London Gateway office.

This is a hands-on operational role where you will take ownership of the daily planning function whilst leading and supporting a team of transport planners. You will be responsible for maximising fleet utilisation, driving operational efficiencies, maintaining exceptional customer service levels and ensuring the planning department operates effectively in a fast-paced container logistics environment.

The successful candidate will be commercially minded, highly organised and capable of making confident decisions under pressure whilst leading by example.

Key Responsibilities Transport Planning

• Produce and manage the daily transport plan to maximise fleet utilisation and revenue.
• Allocate work efficiently across the company fleet and approved subcontractors.
• Optimise vehicle routing, driver productivity and operational efficiency.
• Monitor live transport operations and react quickly to delays, disruptions and changing customer requirements.
• Ensure customer collections and deliveries are completed within agreed service levels.
• Liaise with customers to negotiate collection and delivery times where appropriate to maximise operational efficiency.
• Plan trailer, chassis and container utilisation according to cargo requirements and operational constraints.
• Review daily fleet performance and identify opportunities to improve utilisation and profitability.

Team Leadership

• Supervise and support the Transport Planning team.
• Allocate workloads across planners.
• Provide coaching, mentoring and ongoing training.
• Monitor planner performance and ensure company procedures are followed.
• Promote a proactive, solutions-focused planning culture.
• Assist with recruitment and onboarding of new planners where required.
• Lead by example during busy operational periods.

Container & Port Operations

• Manage container movements using TOPS together with external shipping line and port systems.
• Coordinate collections and deliveries through:
• London Gateway
• Tilbury
• Purfleet
• Felixstowe
• Southampton
• Monitor:
• Container releases
• Customs holds
• Port restrictions
• Booking slots
• VBS bookings
• Ensure accurate tracking of all container movements.
• Liaise with ports, depots, shipping lines and customers to resolve operational issues quickly.

Commercial Responsibilities

• Maximise revenue generated by every vehicle.
• Ensure transport plans are the most commercially effective solution.
• Produce transport quotations for customers.
• Source subcontractors where commercially appropriate.
• Negotiate subcontractor rates.
• Review daily profitability of planned work.
• Identify opportunities to reduce operational costs and improve margins.

Customer Service

• Build strong relationships with customers.
• Handle customer enquiries professionally.
• Provide operational updates.
• Resolve service issues quickly and effectively.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across multiple UK depots to deliver seamless nationwide service.

Compliance

Ensure transport operations comply with:

• Driver Hours Regulations
• Working Time Directive
• Tachograph legislation
• Company operating procedures
• Health & Safety requirements
• Customer operating procedures

Administration & Systems

Maintain accurate records using:

• TOPS
• Destin8
• Vehicle Booking Systems (VBS)
• Shipping Line Portals
• Microsoft Office
• Outlook
• Excel
• Word

Ensure all operational documentation is completed accurately and processed on time.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify inefficiencies within planning operations.
• Recommend improvements to systems and processes.
• Assist management with operational reporting.
• Support new customer implementations.
• Drive continuous improvements across the planning department.

Skills & Experience Essential

• Minimum 3 years' container transport planning experience.
• Previous experience using TOPS.
• Strong knowledge of Destin8.
• Experience using Vehicle Booking Systems (VBS).
• Excellent geographical knowledge of the UK road network.
• Strong understanding of container haulage operations.
• Excellent knowledge of:
• Driver Hours Regulations
• Tachograph Regulations
• Working Time Directive
• Experience planning a fleet of HGV vehicles.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Ability to prioritise workload under pressure.
• High attention to detail.
• Commercial awareness.
• Excellent IT skills.

Desirable

• Previous experience leading or supervising transport planners.
• Experience with shipping line systems.
• Experience planning across multiple UK ports.
• Knowledge of customs procedures.
• Experience managing subcontractor networks.
• Experience producing transport quotations.

Personal Attributes

• Natural leader
• Calm under pressure
• Excellent problem solver
• Commercially minded
• Decisive
• Proactive
• Highly organised
• Positive attitude
• Customer focused
• Team player
• Strong work ethic
• Takes ownership and accountability

What You'll Be Responsible For

• Leading the planning team.
• Delivering excellent customer service.
• Maximising fleet utilisation.
• Improving vehicle revenue.
• Maintaining planning accuracy.
• Supporting company growth.
• Driving operational efficiency.
• Developing planning staff.
• Ensuring compliance.
• Contributing to the ongoing success of the transport operation

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £38,000.00-£46,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person