Senior Transport Planner (5 days over 7)

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Job Title: Senior Transport Planner

Location: Castle Donington, DE74

Shift Pattern: 5 days over 7

Purpose

To lead and coordinate the daily and strategic transport planning for the Castle Donington operation, ensuring safe, compliant and cost-effective delivery of all customer requirements. The Senior Transport Planner drives day-to-day execution, long-term planning, forecasting, stakeholder communication and continuous improvement across the network.

Primary Responsibilities

Daily Transport Planning & Execution

• Builds and delivers the daily transport plan.
• Allocates drivers, vehicles and trailers compliantly.
• Responds dynamically to delays, breakdowns and late orders.

Strategic & Forward Planning

• Produces multi-day plans and weekend schedules.
• Highlights capacity risks and operational pinch points.
• Supports route redesigns and shift optimisation.

Forecasting, KPIs & Reporting

• Produces forecasts, trailer utilisation and reverse logistics reports.
• Generates all daily, weekly and monthly KPIs.
• Provides insights to support decision making.

Continuous Improvement & Cost Control

• Identifies inefficiencies and leads improvement initiatives.
• Supports cost control, trailer utilisation and trunking optimisation.
• Improves service performance and operational efficiency.

Systems, Data & Process Integrity

• Maintains planning systems and ensures data accuracy.
• Upholds strong backup and resilience processes.
• Leads SOP compliance and process consistency.

Reverse Logistics & Equipment Control

• Manages trailer, pallet and cage movements.
• Supports stock and equipment accuracy across sites.

Stakeholder Communication

• Acts as key link between operations, customer services, commercial and senior management.
• Provides clear daily communication and escalation.

Leadership & Support

• Supports and coaches planners and admins.
• Provides operational support during peak periods.
• Deputises for the Planning Manager when required.

Key Relationships

• Transport Teams
• Site Operations
• Commercial, Finance & Systems
• Senior Leadership
• External Partners & Suppliers

Essential Skills

• Proven experience in transport planning.
• Commercial awareness and data interpretation capability.
• Strong coaching, leadership and influencing skills.
• Resilient and confident decision-maker.
• Flexible and positive attitude.

Desirable Skills

• FMCG, chilled or high-volume logistics experience.
• Experience in optimisation, automation or network design.