At a Glance
- Tasks: Plan and manage deliveries while tackling transport challenges head-on.
- Company: Join a dynamic team focused on operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible hours, and opportunities for growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with plenty of chances to build relationships and grow your career.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in logistics and enhance your problem-solving skills.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills and a knack for communication are essential.
- Transport Planner – Role Overview
- Purpose of the Role
The purpose of the Transport Planner role is to reduce transport risk by planning and committing deliveries effectively while balancing customer service, operational efficiency and profitability.
The role requires someone who is proactive where possible but resilient enough to adapt quickly when plans inevitably change.
Working Hours
Contracted hours: 08:00–16:30. Typically start at 07:00 to prepare the operation before the business becomes busy.
Daily Responsibilities
Check completed deliveries and outstanding work.
Update the transport planning spreadsheet.
Review emails and new transport requests.
Plan and allocate deliveries.
Assign company vehicles and subcontract hauliers.
Calculate departure and loading times.
Liaise with customers, site contacts and internal departments.
Resolve transport issues and continuously re-plan work as priorities change.
Typically plan between 2–12 deliveries per day.
Planning Responsibilities
Allocate vehicles based on vehicle type, site restrictions, driver hours, shipment size, cost and customer requirements.
Agree loading times with the loading team.
Calculate travel times using mileage, postcodes and previous experience.
Book subcontract hauliers using agreed supplier rates.
Communication
Daily communication with
- Yard Manager
- Loaders
- Production Supervisors
- Project Managers
- Customers
- Site Contacts
- Hauliers
Typically 10–20 phone calls and around 50 emails per day.
Building strong working relationships internally and externally is a key part of the role.
- Common Operational Challenges
- Sites not being ready.
- Late vehicles.
- Traffic delays.
- Delayed collections.
- Missing paperwork.
- Customer requests to move deliveries, often requiring the entire day's plan to be reorganised.
- Decision Making
Responsible for making most day-to-day operational decisions independently. Significant commercial costs or exceptional decisions are escalated to the Transport Manager.
- Systems Used
- Microsoft Excel – transport planning and scheduling.
- Microsoft Outlook – customer and internal communication.
- Knowledge Required
- Commercial vehicle types.
- HIAB and specialist transport requirements.
- Driver hours regulations.
- Site restrictions.
- Customer delivery requirements.
- Route planning.
- General transport operations.
- Supporting day-to-day compliance with transport requirements.
- Problem Solving
- Honest and proactive communication.
- Root cause analysis.
- Re-planning deliveries.
- Preventing repeat issues where possible.
- Key Skills
- Organisation
- Attention to detail
- Communication
- Relationship building
- Problem solving
- Microsoft Excel
- Adaptability
- Remaining calm under pressure
Success in this role depends heavily on developing trusted relationships with colleagues, customers and subcontractors
Transport Planner in Oldham employer: Pickles Recruitment
Join a dynamic team where your role as an Executive Assistant & Sales Coordinator will be pivotal in supporting our Managing Directors and driving sales activities. We pride ourselves on a collaborative work culture that values initiative and offers extensive employee growth opportunities, including a profit share scheme and generous holiday allowance. Located in a vibrant area with free onsite parking and regular company social events, we ensure our employees enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding work environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Transport Planner in Oldham
✨Connect with Local Logistic Groups
Dive into local transportation and logistics groups on platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn. Show up to their meetups if you can – it's a great way to network with industry pros who can share insights, job openings, or even refer you to their own company.
✨Get Behind the Wheel of Job Boards
Look for job boards specific to transportation and logistics, like Logistics Job Site or TransportJobs. These platforms often have listings that you won’t find on general job boards, so they’re worth checking out regularly!
✨Leverage Internships & Graduate Schemes
Many companies in transportation and logistics offer graduate schemes and internships that can pave the way to full-time positions. Don't shy away from applying; even a short stint can make a solid impact on your CV and get your foot in the door at companies like Pickles Recruitment.
✨Apply Directly with Us!
When you find openings at great companies, make sure to apply directly through our website. It not only shows your initiative but also helps us to help you get noticed by Pickles Recruitment. Every application gets us one step closer to landing that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Transport Planner in Oldham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're applying for a role in the transportation and logistics sector at Pickles Recruitment, make sure to highlight any relevant experience. Whether it's moving goods, coordinating schedules, or using transportation management software, give us the lowdown on your past gigs. It'll paint a clearer picture of what you're capable of!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in logistics! If you've optimised routes, reduced delivery times, or improved customer satisfaction, mention those incredible stats in your CV. This gives us concrete evidence of your impact and showcases your problem-solving skills.
Tailor That Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a formality—let it breathe your personality and passion for logistics! Explain why you're excited about the role at Pickles Recruitment and how you can contribute to our team. Don't forget to tie in specific skills or experiences that relate to the job description.
Research and Reflect:Before you hit 'submit,' spend some time digging into Pickles Recruitment. Understand our mission, values, and the specific challenges in the logistics industry. This will help you craft a targeted application that shows you truly want to be part of our crew, setting you apart from the rest!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pickles Recruitment
✨Know Your Logistics Basics
Get familiar with the key principles of transportation and logistics, like supply chain management, inventory control, and route optimisation. You might get asked practical questions about how to improve efficiency, so brush up on your problem-solving skills and be prepared to discuss any relevant software tools you've used.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In logistics, employers love to gauge how you'd handle real-life situations. Expect scenario-based questions where you’ll need to demonstrate your decision-making skills, like how to manage delays or coordinate shipments during a crisis. Practise outlining your thought process clearly and logically.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Experience
Full-time roles in logistics often require collaboration with various teams, so don't forget to showcase your teamwork experience. Think of examples where you've used communication and collaboration to ensure smooth operations, and get ready to elaborate on how you can facilitate teamwork in a busy environment like at Pickles Recruitment.
✨Show Off Your Attention to Detail
In our world of logistics, missing a small detail can lead to big problems. Be prepared to discuss instances where your attention to detail saved the day, whether it was engaging with clients, managing documentation, or tracking shipments accurately. This will help demonstrate how you can be a reliable asset to Pickles Recruitment.
