Traffic Planner in Leeds

The Traffic Planner role is to ensure the efficient and effective coordination of daily skip and RoRo operations, supporting both operational performance and customer satisfaction. This role is key in optimising driver routes, managing workloads, and maintaining service standards, while ensuring full compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. By providing clear communication to both drivers and customers, the Traffic Planner plays a vital role in keeping operations running smoothly and contributing to the overall success of the transport department.

Key accountabilities:

• The Traffic Planner is accountable for the effective planning and coordination of all skip and RoRo vehicle movements, ensuring daily schedules are delivered on time and to a high standard.
• This includes managing driver availability and legal working hours, maintaining close communication with both customers and drivers, and reacting promptly to any operational challenges.
• The role involves supporting compliance with transport and waste regulations, and working collaboratively with other departments to deliver a seamless service.
• Ultimately, the Traffic Planner is responsible for balancing operational efficiency with exceptional customer service.

Areas of responsibility:

• Plan and coordinate daily skip and RoRo deliveries, exchanges, and collections across designated areas.
• Monitor and manage driver hours, ensuring compliance with legal regulations and company policies.
• Communicate effectively with drivers throughout the day, providing instructions, updates, and support.
• Engage with customers to confirm bookings, provide ETAs, handle queries, and resolve service issues.
• Respond to unexpected changes or operational disruptions by adapting plans and reallocating resources.
• Maintain accurate job records and ensure all information is logged correctly in relevant systems.
• Liaise with internal teams (e.g. weighbridge, accounts, sales) to ensure smooth service delivery.
• Support transport compliance by promoting safe working practices and adherence to regulations.
• Assist with tracking vehicle performance and utilisation to maximise fleet efficiency.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of transport planning processes and customer service delivery.

We are Panda. We value waste. We’re in the business of waste management but that doesn’t just mean collecting bins. Behind every collection is a passionate team of people finding smarter, safer, and more sustainable ways to recycle and repurpose materials that would otherwise go to waste.

Over the past 30 years, Panda has grown into a leading resource recovery business, bringing together almost 3,000 people across multiple brands, united by a shared vision and strong values. While our operations are diverse, our purpose is clear: to protect our people, support our customers, and create positive impact for the communities and environments we serve.

At Panda, people are at the heart of everything we do. We work as one team, combining different skills, experiences, and perspectives to achieve shared goals. We care for each other’s wellbeing, encourage development, and support growth because we know we’re stronger together.

We expect excellence in how we operate. High standards, bold thinking, and continuous improvement drive our passion for innovation. We challenge the ordinary, put safety first, and embrace new ideas while delivering practical, cost-effective solutions that move our business forward.

We own what we do. From day-to-day tasks to major projects, we take pride in our work and responsibility for the outcome. We don’t walk past problems; we address them together. Our expertise, reliability, and care reflect who we are and the difference we make.

And above all, we act with trust and integrity. Trust is built through open communication, honesty, and accountability. It allows us to move quickly, make confident decisions, and deliver results — knowing our people are empowered to do the right thing.

Our journey depends on talented, committed people who want to make an impact. Take the first step and join us on the journey.