Transport Planner

SRS Recruiting is working with a well-established manufacturing and distribution business in Macclesfield to recruit a Transport Planner. You'll join their transport team and report to the Transport Manager. The Role You'll plan, coordinate and optimise daily transport so that goods are delivered safely, compliantly and cost-effectively. This covers route planning, vehicle use, driver scheduling and operational support, all in line with UK transport legislation and customer requirements. Key Responsibilities Planning & Scheduling Plan daily transport operations to get the most out of the fleet and hit service targets Allocate vehicles, drivers and routes, balancing workloads across the team Monitor route performance and adjust plans as demands change Find ways to cut transport costs and improve productivity Driver Management Schedule driver shifts within Drivers' Hours and Working Time rules Manage driver availability, holidays, absence and agency cover Give drivers their routes, delivery schedules and updates, and resolve their queries promptly Compliance & Safety Make sure all plans comply with Drivers' Hours, tachograph, Working Time, Operator Licence and Road Transport regulations, plus company H&S procedures Monitor driver hours and vehicle availability, and escalate compliance risks Support transport audits and investigations Fleet Coordination Work with the maintenance team to plan around servicing, inspections and MOTs Minimise vehicle downtime and monitor utilisation and capacity Customer Service & Stakeholders Be the go-to contact for transport operational issues Work closely with the warehouse, customer service and production teams Communicate delays early and support service recovery when needed Reporting & Analysis Keep accurate planning records and produce daily, weekly and monthly reports Analyse performance data and KPIs (cost, service, utilisation, compliance) and recommend improvements What We're Looking For Essential Experience in transport, logistics, distribution or fleet operations A good understanding of route planning and resource scheduling Knowledge of Drivers' Hours and tachograph regulations Strong UK geographical knowledge Experience using a Transport Management System (TMS) Competent in Excel and reporting tools A full UK driving licence Desirable Transport Manager CPC, or studying towards it Super-user experience of MaxOptra and Samsara, or equivalent systems Experience in multi-drop, retail, distribution or trunking operations Knowledge of fleet maintenance planning An understanding of FORS and DVSA best practice Experience managing agency driver requirements About You Proactive and solutions-focused Calm under pressure, with strong attention to detail Customer-focused and safety-conscious A collaborative team player who is adaptable and committed to continuous improvement What's on Offer Up to £32K Healthcare cash plan Pension Free parking Holiday buy and sell up to 3 days (23 days holiday) TPBN1_UKTJ