Transport Planner - Food Logistics

The Transport Planning Coordinator is responsible for planning and coordinating road transport movements across the UK, ensuring customer requirements are met through efficient vehicle utilisation, cost effective planning, and high quality operational execution.

Working closely with customers, hauliers, distribution centres, and internal teams, the role manages transport activities from order planning through to operational completion, ensuring accurate system updates, effective communication, and excellent customer service throughout the process.

The role contributes to the smooth and efficient operation of the business by delivering reliable transport solutions, supporting operational performance, and ensuring agreed service levels, budgets, and timescales are achieved.

Transport Planning and Scheduling

• Review outstanding orders within the Transport Management System (TMS). 
• Plan daily road transport movements, consolidating loads where appropriate to maximise vehicle utilisation and minimise empty mileage. 
• Select the most cost effective routes while maintaining agreed service levels. 
• Arrange transport with approved hauliers and distribution centres to meet customer requirements. 
• Coordinate collection and delivery times and obtain booking references where required. 
• Produce, maintain and distribute the daily Trunk Schedule and UK Delivery Schedule. 

Transport Management System Administration

• Maintain accurate and up to date information within the Transport Management System. 
• Ensure all transport jobs are assigned to the correct customer code. 
• Ensure all jobs are rated correctly and that delays, exceptions and operational updates are accurately recorded. 
• Maintain high standards of data quality to support operational reporting and customer service. 

Operational Support

• Monitor daily transport operations and proactively resolve operational issues. 
• Escalate issues promptly where appropriate to minimise service disruption. 
• Provide accurate operational data and support the production of key performance indicators (KPIs). 

Teamwork and Continuous Improvement

• Support the Operations Team with additional operational activities as required. 
• Undertake other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Team Leader. 
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of transport planning processes and operational efficiency.

Personal Development and Performance 

• Complete self-evaluations in SF within the agreed timeframes, reflecting on performance, behaviours and personal development. 
• Actively participate in performance reviews, training and development activities

Skills & Experience:

Essential

• Previous experience in transport planning role in a busy transport environment
• Having a good knowledge of Food Safety and Temperature Controlled Logistics. 
• Strong IT skills across the Microsoft Office Suite, specifically the ability to import and manipulate data from external sources.
• Knowledge of freight, transport, logistics industry

Desirable

• Knowledge of WTD and EU/AETR rules on Drivers’ Hours
• Knowledge of a European language
• CPC or Degree Qualification