Transport Planner

About the roleDo you have continuous-improvement and planning experience, with a background in optimising a supply chain operation?

Can you transform complex planning challenges into seamless delivery schedules? We are looking for a Distribution Planner to join our Waitrose team in Bracknell. In this role, you will play a crucial part in planning optimal operational schedule for our Waitrose depots, ensuring that the right goods reach our Stores they are available for our customers at the right time.

At a glance 

Roles: Official Partnership Distribution Planner

Position: This is a 12-month fixed-term contract

Salary: Up to £33,000 Annual, depending on experience 

Hours of work: Full-Time, 35 hours a week, working 6 am to 2pm.  

Location: Bracknell (In-person)

Key responsibilities 

As our Distribution Planner, you will be essential in maximising efficiency across our Waitrose distribution operations. You will build and execute time-phased plans for stock movements and daily transport schedules in an accurate, legal, and cost-effective manner. Your main tasks will include:

• Solving complex planning problems related to branch de-kit (cages), backhaul placements, fleet availability, and multi-drop deliveries. 

• Utilising system data and systems such as (Transport Management Systems, Paragon Warehouse Management Systems, and Branch Order Builder,) to coordinate workflow across all business areas, ensuring minimal delays and maximum efficiency. 

• Identifying opportunities for cost reductions in line with business objectives (e.g. waste management or de-kit collection reductions) while ensuring all plans comply with Working Time Directives and EU drivers' hours.

• Communicating and providing clear, factual status updates to internal teams (IT, Warehouse and Transport operations) and external stakeholders (Third-Party Logistic sites, Offshore systems teams, Software Vendor teams).

• Ensuring adherence to systems and processes across the supply chain, implementing, monitoring, and measuring all relevant controls to manage operational and reputational risks to the Partnership. 

• Role model the Partnership Behaviours and proactively invest in your own continuous professional development, both technically and personally. Drive your own contribution conversations and set and review your development goals regularly.

Essential skills/experience you’ll need

• A clear understanding of the components of TMS (Transport Management Systems) and WMS (Warehouse Management Systems) Solution.

• Previous knowledge of Paragon, Microlise, C3, or similar software

• Previous Distribution planning experience (this can be experience in managing schedules for a fleet of vehicles or warehouse operations) and a history of working effectively across supply chain departments. 

• Ability to communicate with both internal and external stakeholders (all levels).

•  Evidence of identifying and supporting cost-reduction initiatives (identify areas where cost saving can be made in backhaul placement and opportunities to reduce driving routes). 

Desirable skills/experience you may have 

• An up to date knowledge and understanding of Paragon, Macro creation and PBASIC.

• A proven track record of maintaining data integrity and accuracy under pressure.

• Certification of a professional body associated with planning (e.g Professional Competency qualification for Transport Managers (Road Haulage))

Join our Waitrose team in Bracknell and play a pivotal role in ensuring our shelves stay stocked and our depots meet their service targets, apply today!

About The Partnership

We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.  

We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.   

As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect. 

We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective. 

As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.  

Important points to note:  

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.  

We occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications, and therefore, we recommend you apply early. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability which means you may need longer to complete your application please contact us as soon as possible.

We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.