Transport Planner

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We have an exciting new opportunity for a Transport Planner to join our Transport team at Agrial Fresh Produce in Wigan, WN5 0LB. Your main role will be to organise and plan routes for articulated vehicles in a methodical and cost effective way whilst maintaining compliance with transport regulations and company/customer standards. You will always ensure these duties are completed in line with site rules, legal regulations and company procedures relating to all aspects of food safety, statutory health and safety and people management.

Working hours: 4 days on, 3 days off, 07:00-17:00

Pay: Competitive

Main Responsibilities:

• Accurately route plan and schedule vehicles in order to meet pre-agreed times into collection and delivery sites, including maintenance workshops in line with the planned maintenance schedule.
• Actively seek out backloads so there is no empty running.
• Provide instruction, support and guidance to drivers and agency workers as required, before and during their shift.
• Effectively track drivers using the relevant systems ensuring communication regarding delays/issues and any unauthorised routes/delays with drivers are escalated.
• Create weekly rota and assign drivers to allocated runs, ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
• Manage and implement solutions to adjustments or changes to routes, loads and/or drivers.
• Debrief drivers upon return to site, ensure driver cards are downloaded, PODs are captured and paperwork checked for accurate completion, note any discrepancies.
• Create and maintain a structured daily driver costing sheet that tracks all relevant expenses for drivers and ensures they stay in budget.
• Main customer satisfaction; communicate regarding in and out times of deliveries and collections ensuring that depots are notified of any issues in advance. Effectively resolve any issues that occur.
• Ensure accurate transport administration in accordance with procedure.
• Maintain up to date records in the Company’s chosen transport management system (TMS).
• Provide daily administrative support to the Despatch team, ensuring smooth operations, accurate documentation and timely communication.
• Complete a daily handover for the following shift noting any issues or any information which will need to be handed over.
• Carry out reasonable requests made by your manager which are connected to your role and make use of your skills.

Skills and Experience Required:

• Minimum of 1-3 years experience in transport planning, logistics or supply chain, ideally in the food manufacturing or FMCG sector.
• Strong organisation and analytical skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and familiar with transport management systems (TMS).
• Problem-solving mindset with the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate with internal and external partners.
• Knowledge of UK/EU transport legislation, drivers hours, and tachograph rules.

What You Will Get In Return:

• A competitive annual salary, inclusion in our annual bonus scheme and a range of employee benefits you’d expect from a market leading business, including:
• Life Assurance: 3x your basic salary paid to your nominated beneficiary.
• Employee Assistance Programme and BUPA: Providing a Remote GP service along with a 24/7 helpline for financial, legal, medical and life issues, as well as access to BUPA Membership.
• Annual leave entitlement: 25 days annual leave per annum inclusive of UK Bank Holidays which increases with service, as well as the option to purchase up to 2 additional working weeks of holiday per annum.
• Learning and Development: Personalised induction and regular learning and development courses and schemes: From L2 to L7 Funded Apprenticeships, Leadership Development Programme, First-Aid and MHFA Training, and many more!
• Benefits Platforms: Employee discount platform for multiple retailers and access to salary finance schemes for bicycles, gyms, and financial assistance.
• Other: Recognition awards, Regular Employee Engagement days, attendance incentives, an annual volunteering day, as well as access to a free physio and our on-site Occupational health nurse.

About Us:

Agrial Fresh Produce is one of three UK food manufacturing sites within Agrial Fresh Produce Ltd, which is an autonomous part of the larger 17,500 employee strong French co-operative group, Agrial. Our Wigan site is a well-established business unit that processes and distributes pre-packed, ready to eat, fresh salad bags and bowls to some of the UK's well-known retailers and restaurants. We are based on Martland Park Industrial Estate, which is ideal for travel on the M61, M6 and M62. The business has other operations in the UK, known commonly with our recognisable Florette salad brand and we are one of the UK’s leading producers in the industry. In total, we sell on average around 600,000kg of products every week - an unbe-leaf-able amount!

Agrial has operations across 11 countries, with 100 industrial sites, and a 2024 turnover of €7.1bn across 5 food divisions which comprise of Beverage, Dairy, Meat, Fresh Produce & Agricultural operations; it’s not just about lettuce! As well as 2 factories we also have a farming operation – Agrial Fresh Farms. All UK sites operate under the name of Agrial Fresh Produce Limited and fall under Agrial's vegetable division. We have a recipe for success through our EPIC values and working together as one team.

Next Steps:

It’s an exciting time to join our business as we look for new starters to join us to innovate in everything we do! We’re looking for positive and driven people to join our professional team. If you have the skills or experience we are looking for, and want a fresh challenge we would love for you to join us on our journey!

Agrial Fresh Produce reserve the right to close this vacancy once we have received sufficient applications. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

VISA Sponsorship: This role is only open to applicants who have the permanent right to work in the UK. We are unable to provide or take over visa sponsorship, either now or in the future. Applicants must be able to demonstrate their ongoing eligibility to work in the UK without the need for employer sponsorship.

Agrial Fresh Produce Ltd is an Equal Opportunities employer. In addition, as part of Responsible Recruitment, Agrial Fresh Produce Ltd believes in the Employer Pay Principle. No worker should pay for a job – the costs of recruitment should be borne not by the worker but by the employer.

We are committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of all of our staff. That’s why we’ve taken the Mental Health at Work Commitment and are currently delivering a programme of activities to ensure that everyone can have open and honest conversations about their wellbeing in the workplace and feel supported. We encourage applications from persons with experience of poor mental health and are committed to supporting our employees to fulfil their potential and perform at their best in work.