At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to plan and allocate patient transport journeys efficiently.
- Company: OnCue, a leader in non-emergency patient transport services.
- Benefits: Career progression, comprehensive training, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in patient care while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in logistics or scheduling, strong organisational skills, and a team player.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
OnCue specialises in the provision of care-led, compliant, and scalable non-emergency patient transport services to ICBs, NHS Trusts, and Ambulance providers. Delivering exceptional service is central to our continued growth and the trust placed in us by our partners.
Our Mission To create value for our customers and partners by delivering innovative and care-driven patient transport solutions.
Our Vision To be recognised as a leader in our industry through innovation and our commitment to caring for patients, employees, and partners.
At OnCue, teamwork is critical to success. We encourage positive working relationships across all departments and with external partners to achieve our shared goals.
The Role We are looking for a highly organised and proactive Planning Allocator Specialist to join our Operations Team. This is a fast‑paced role that combines strategic planning, resource allocation, driver engagement, and operational problem‑solving. You will play a key role in ensuring that patient journeys are planned efficiently, allocated fairly, and delivered in line with our contractual KPIs and service standards. You will work closely with Operations Managers, Driver Services, Fleet, Trust partners, and Driver Companions to deliver a high‑quality patient transport service across London and surrounding areas.
The Planning Allocator Specialist is responsible for the planning, allocation, and real‑time control of patient transport activity, ensuring resources are deployed efficiently, journeys are allocated fairly, and contractual performance standards are consistently achieved.
Key Responsibilities
- Accountable for pre‑planning daily transport activity.
- Accountable for split planning and resource allocation.
- Primary owner of fair allocation processes.
- Monitor and manage Driver Companion availability.
- Accountable for supporting the delivery of contractual KPIs through effective planning, resource allocation, and operational decision‑making.
- Conduct outbound operational calls to Driver Companions.
- Assist with planning and allocation activities during peak periods.
- Ensure delivery service aligns with contractual SLAs and KPIs.
- Responsible for ensuring all available resources are effectively utilised.
- Responsible for escalating capacity risks, service delivery concerns, and operational challenges.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives across planning, allocation and service delivery activities.
Daily Responsibilities
- Planning & Scheduling Develop and implement efficient schedules for approximately 600–700 patient journeys per day. Allocate work across a fleet of 200+ Driver Companions. Review driver availability and operational resources to ensure full‑service coverage. Identify potential capacity gaps and support proactive resource planning.
- Allocation Management Ensure patient journeys are allocated fairly, transparently, and in accordance with company policies. Monitor earnings distribution and support fair allocation practices. Identify and address allocation issues proactively. Ensure all work is allocated in a timely manner and escalated where capacity constraints exist.
- Operational Control Monitor live operations and service performance throughout the day. Reallocate resources in response to changing operational demands. Identify potential service failures and implement mitigation plans. Work closely with Operations Managers to resolve emerging operational issues. Manage unallocated work and ensure timely allocation of all journeys. Support major incidents and business continuity responses where required.
- Performance & KPI Management Maintain service delivery targets. Monitor key performance indicators including service levels, driver utilisation, operational efficiency, and allocation performance. Support continuous improvement initiatives through data analysis and operational feedback. Take proactive action to mitigate delays and minimise service failures.
- Communication & Driver Engagement Conduct outbound calls to Driver Companions to confirm operational readiness. Support inbound call handling when required. Build and maintain positive working relationships with drivers and operational teams. Assist in retaining Driver Companions through effective communication and support. Liaise with Driver Services regarding availability, onboarding and engagement levels.
- Driver Resource Management Maintain accurate records of Driver Companion availability. Identify future resource gaps and escalate recruitment requirements where appropriate. Ensure sufficient resource levels are available to meet operational demand. Support Driver Companion engagement and retention initiatives.
- Problem Solving & Operational Support Respond quickly to operational challenges including service disruptions, vehicle issues and staffing shortages. Escalate risks and concerns appropriately. Work closely with management to identify and implement solutions. Support operational recovery plans when service performance is impacted.
- Reporting & Analysis Produce daily operational reports as required. Analyse performance trends and identify opportunities for improvement. Maintain accurate operational records and planning data. Support management with operational performance reviews and investigations.
- Team Development Support the training and development of new team members. Share knowledge and best practice across the Operations Team. Contribute to a positive, collaborative, and high‑performing team culture.
Skills & Experience
- Previous experience within transport, logistics, scheduling, planning, allocation or control environments.
- Experience managing large‑scale scheduling or allocation activities.
- Strong organisational and time management skills.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
- Experience using planning, scheduling or allocation software.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities.
- Good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment.
- Ability to interpret operational performance data and make informed decisions.
- Experience within Non‑Emergency Patient Transport Services (NEPTS), healthcare logistics, ambulance services or a comparable transport environment (desirable).
- Strong geographical knowledge of London and surrounding areas (desirable).
Personal Attributes
- Determined and persistent.
- Self‑aware and accountable.
- Honest and trustworthy.
- Solution‑focused mindset.
- Eager to learn and develop.
- Strong team player.
- Customer and patient focused.
Benefits & Company Culture
- Opportunities for career progression and development.
- Supportive and collaborative working environment.
- Comprehensive training and ongoing development.
- The opportunity to make a real difference in patient care and transportation services.
Resource Planning Controller employer: OnCue Transport
OnCue is an exceptional employer that prioritises a supportive and collaborative work culture, offering ample opportunities for career progression and professional development. As a Resource Planning Controller, you will play a vital role in enhancing patient care while working in a fast-paced environment that values teamwork and innovation. Located in London, you will benefit from being part of a company that is committed to making a meaningful impact in the healthcare transport sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Resource Planning Controller
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching OnCue and understanding their mission and values. Tailor your responses to show how your skills align with their commitment to exceptional patient transport services. This will make you stand out as a candidate who truly gets it!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. Focus on showcasing your organisational skills and problem-solving abilities, which are key for the Planning Allocator Specialist role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the OnCue team and contributing to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Resource Planning Controller
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Resource Planning Controller role. Highlight your experience in transport, logistics, or scheduling, and show how your skills align with our mission of delivering exceptional patient transport services.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give examples of how you've tackled operational challenges in the past. We love candidates who can think on their feet and come up with innovative solutions, especially in fast-paced environments like ours.
Highlight Teamwork Experience:Since teamwork is key at OnCue, share instances where you've successfully collaborated with others. Whether it's working with drivers, managers, or external partners, we want to see how you contribute to a positive team culture.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you're serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at OnCue Transport
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand OnCue's mission and vision. Familiarise yourself with their patient transport services and how they operate. This will help you demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and show that you're aligned with their values.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
As a Resource Planning Controller, you'll need to be highly organised. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed scheduling or resource allocation. Be ready to discuss how you handle competing priorities and ensure efficient operations.
✨Communicate Effectively
Strong communication is key in this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Think about how you would engage with Driver Companions and other team members, and be prepared to share strategies for building positive working relationships.
✨Be Solution-Focused
OnCue values problem-solving abilities. During the interview, highlight situations where you've identified issues and implemented effective solutions. Show that you can think on your feet and adapt to changing operational demands, which is crucial for maintaining service delivery.
