Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Plan and deliver daily transport schedules for efficient distribution operations.
- Company: Join the UK's largest employee-owned business, home to John Lewis and Waitrose.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, flexible hours, and a supportive work-life balance.
- Why this job: Be part of a collaborative team focused on innovation and making a difference.
- Qualifications: GCSE in Maths and English; knowledge of Microsoft Office and distribution processes required.
- Other info: Pre-employment vetting may be necessary; apply early as roles can close quickly.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 34800 £ per year.
We have an opportunity for a permanent Distribution Planner. In this role you'll plan and deliver the daily transport schedule to support the Waitrose Distribution operation in order to enable responsive, agile, cost-effective and efficient transportation that meets and wherever possible exceeds targets and provides peerless service to our customers.
Salary: £28,000 - £43,400
Contract type: This position is a Permanent contract.
Working pattern/flexible working: The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business. The team aim for around 3-4 days a week in the office to connect and on a more ad-hoc basis to attend key meetings.
Location: This role is based at our Bracknell Head Office.
Key responsibilities: This is a demanding role in a busy and fast-paced environment so would suit a highly motivated individual able to work to tight deadlines, who has strong influencing and negotiation skills. Who can set vision and deliver through effective business planning. A collaborative approach is required to ensure the correct balance of Service v Cost (Value) is achieved for Waitrose moving forward whilst managing day to day operations. A large part of the role will be to implement, monitor and measure all relevant controls are in place to manage operational and reputational Risk to the Partnership.
Essential skills/experience you'll need:
- GCSE or equivalent in Mathematics and English Language
- Good Knowledge of Microsoft Office or similar packages
- Relationship Management across the business
- Proactive approach to creating solutions
- Paragon knowledge
- Distribution or Retail knowledge
Desirable skills/experience you may have:
- Certification of a professional body associated with planning
- Transport industry knowledge of Road Transport Directive
- Experience of Route Planning software
- Broad knowledge of Network Management and processes
- Good geographical knowledge
It's important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you'll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles. We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants. We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.
Distribution Planner employer: Waitrose & Partners
Contact Detail:
Waitrose & Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Distribution Planner
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities of a Distribution Planner. Understanding the daily transport schedule and how to balance service and cost will help you demonstrate your knowledge during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the distribution and retail sectors. Engaging with others in the industry can provide insights into best practices and may even lead to referrals or recommendations.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your knowledge of relevant software, particularly Route Planning tools and Microsoft Office. Being able to discuss your proficiency in these areas can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your proactive approach to problem-solving. Think of examples where you've successfully created solutions in a fast-paced environment, as this aligns well with the role's demands.
We think you need these skills to ace Distribution Planner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the Distribution Planner role. Emphasise your knowledge of distribution, transport planning, and any software you have used, such as Route Planning software.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the role and the company. Mention your proactive approach to creating solutions and how your skills in relationship management can benefit the team at Waitrose.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your GCSEs or equivalent in Mathematics and English Language. If you have any certifications from professional bodies related to planning or transport, make sure to include them as well.
Showcase Your Soft Skills: In your application, demonstrate your strong influencing and negotiation skills. Provide examples of how you've worked collaboratively in previous roles to achieve service and cost balance, which is crucial for this position.
How to prepare for a job interview at Waitrose & Partners
✨Showcase Your Planning Skills
As a Distribution Planner, your ability to create and manage transport schedules is crucial. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully planned logistics in the past, highlighting your problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
✨Demonstrate Relationship Management
This role requires strong influencing and negotiation skills. Think of instances where you've effectively managed relationships across teams or departments. Be ready to explain how you foster collaboration to achieve common goals.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Software
Knowledge of Route Planning software and Microsoft Office is essential. Brush up on these tools before your interview, and be prepared to discuss how you've used them in previous roles to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
✨Understand the Company Culture
StudySmarter values a collaborative and respectful environment. Familiarise yourself with the company's mission and values, and think about how your personal values align with theirs. This will help you convey that you're a good cultural fit during the interview.
