Transport Planner in Bognor Regis

Behind every great event is a very large lorry, and someone who knows exactly where it is.

That someone could be you.

We’re hiring a Transport Planner in Bognor Regis to keep our trucks, trailers and drivers moving for the UK’s theatre, sports and live events.

JOB DESCRIPTION: TRANSPORT PLANNER

Hands-on operational support to keep a specialist transport business moving, on time and fully informed.

Reporting to: Transport Operations Manager

Location: Bognor Regis, West Sussex

Contract: Full-time, permanent

Working pattern: Office-based, with some weekend and out-of-hours on-call cover as part of a shared rota

Fleet size: 40 trucks and 160 trailers

ABOUT PAUL MATHEW TRANSPORT

Paul Mathew Transport Limited is a specialist entertainment and production transport company, providing trailer logistics and haulage services to some of the UK’s most prestigious theatre, sports, arts, and live events clients. We operate at pace and at scale, with high standards of professionalism, reliability, and care at the heart of everything we do. As we continue to grow, we are investing in our team to match our ambitions.

THE ROLE

Paul Mathew Transport is growing, and with that growth come a larger fleet, more complex schedules, and higher expectations from our clients. This role gives the Transport Operations team the dedicated, hands‑on support needed to keep that scale under control.

Reporting to the Transport Operations Manager, you will be the eyes and ears of the operation: knowing where our trailers and drivers are, whether they will arrive on time, and whether our plans still match what is actually happening with our clients’ events. Alongside the day‑to‑day work, there is real scope to grow the role into health and safety, process improvement, and supplier and workshop coordination as the business scales.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Trailer tracking

• Maintain an accurate, up‑to‑date picture of where our trailers are across the network, including whether each is full or empty and which show or event its contents belong to.
• Keep trailer location records current, and promptly flag any discrepancies, delays, or misplaced equipment.
• Support the allocation of trailers to upcoming jobs, so that the right equipment is in the right place at the right time.

Driver monitoring and communication

• Track driver and vehicle positions using tracking and telematics systems, and identify any risk of late arrival before it becomes a problem.
• Contact drivers directly to confirm ETAs, follow up on delays, and resolve queries, escalating to the Transport Operations Manager where needed.
• Keep clients, venues, and production contacts informed of progress and any changes, as directed.
• Act as a clear, reliable link between drivers, the operations team, and customers.

Planning and forecasting

• Check that operational forecasts and plans stay aligned with clients’ actual event schedules, load‑ins, and load‑outs.
• Flag changes and mismatches early, so that drivers, trucks, trailers, and subcontractors can be adjusted in good time.
• Support the preparation of daily and weekly plans, applying good UK geographic knowledge to realistic journey timings.
• Keep accurate operational records and ensure data is correct across our transport systems.

Health and safety and compliance

• Plan driver schedules within UK drivers’ hours, working time, and tachograph rules, and flag potential infringements before they happen.
• Assist with incident reporting and risk assessment documentation, and help keep safety records audit‑ready.
• Help embed health and safety standards and good practice in everyday operations, with scope to take on more responsibility in this area as the role develops.

Consumables and workshop coordination

• Support the ordering and monitoring of consumables and diesel, helping to ensure supplies do not run short.
• Act as a day‑to‑day link between the operations team and the workshop on vehicle and trailer availability, defects, and scheduled maintenance, helping to keep downtime to a minimum.

Process improvement and support

• Contribute ideas and support projects that improve our processes, reporting, and communication.
• Help document procedures and support the introduction of new systems, tracking tools, and automation as the business grows.
• Support the Transport Operations Manager and wider Transport Team with reporting and ad hoc projects.
• Provide weekend and out‑of‑hours on‑call cover as part of a shared rota.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• Proven, relevant experience as a transport planner.
• Experience in the haulage industry, with a good understanding of how fleet and driver operations work.
• Excellent organisation and attention to detail, with the ability to keep track of many moving parts at once and spot discrepancies quickly.
• Clear, confident, and calm communication with drivers, colleagues, and clients, particularly by phone.
• Good geographic knowledge of the UK, with sound judgement on journey times and what is realistic.
• Sound working knowledge of UK drivers’ hours and tachograph rules, including planning schedules that keep drivers compliant.
• Comfortable using computer systems, including spreadsheets, and quick to learn tracking, telematics, and transport management tools.
• Calm, measured, and composed under pressure, able to prioritise in a fast‑moving environment.
• Proactive and reliable, taking ownership of tasks and following up without needing to be chased.
• A collaborative team player who builds good working relationships with drivers, the workshop, and management.
• Willingness to work some weekends and provide out‑of‑hours on‑call cover as part of a shared rota.
• Ability and willingness to provide professional references upon request.
• Right to work in the UK, and willingness to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Desirable

• Experience with transport management systems, telematics, or fleet tracking software.
• A health and safety qualification, such as IOSH Managing Safely, or a clear interest in developing in this area.
• Experience ordering consumables or fuel, or working alongside a vehicle workshop.
• Interest in process improvement, with experience in data analysis or reporting.
• Background in entertainment, events, or specialist haulage.

WHAT WE OFFER

• A hands‑on role at the heart of a growing, specialist transport business.
• Real scope to grow into broader responsibilities in health and safety, process improvement, and operations as the business expands.
• A collaborative management team and a strong, professional driver workforce.
• Career development opportunities as the business grows.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Paul Mathew Transport Limited is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to treating all applicants and employees fairly, and to providing a workplace free from discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. All appointments are made on merit, based on the skills and experience each candidate brings to the role.

REFERENCES AND CHECKS

Two professional references will be required prior to any offer of employment being confirmed. At least one reference should be from a recent direct line manager or employer. All successful candidates will be required to provide evidence of their right to work in the UK and to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check prior to any offer of employment being confirmed.

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