Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Plan and optimise delivery schedules for our Waitrose depots, ensuring timely goods availability.
- Company: Join the largest employee-owned business in the UK, home of John Lewis and Waitrose.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and a supportive work-life balance.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on supply chain efficiency while developing your planning skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in distribution planning and knowledge of transport management systems required.
The predicted salary is between 29000 - 33000 £ per year.
About The Role
Do you have continuous-improvement and planning experience, with a background in optimising a supply chain operation? Can you transform complex planning challenges into seamless delivery schedules? We are looking for a Distribution Planner to join our Waitrose team in Bracknell. In this role, you will play a crucial part in planning optimal operational schedules for our Waitrose depots, ensuring that the right goods reach our Stores and are available for our customers at the right time.
At a glance:
- Contract Type: 12 month Fixed-Term Contract
- Hours of Work: Full-Time, 35 hours a week, Monday - Friday, working 6am to 2pm
- Salary: Expected salary £29,000 - £33,000
- Location: Bracknell Regional Distribution Centre (RDC)
Interviews will be held in person, week commencing 6th April.
Key responsibilities
As our Distribution Planner, you will be essential in maximising efficiency across our Waitrose distribution operations. You will build and execute time-phased plans for stock movements and daily transport schedules in an accurate, legal, and cost-effective manner. Your main tasks will include:
- Solving complex planning problems related to branch de-kit (cages), backhaul placements, fleet availability, and multi-drop deliveries.
- Utilising system data and systems such as Transport Management Systems, Paragon Warehouse Management Systems, and Branch Order Builder, to coordinate workflow across all business areas, ensuring minimal delays and maximum efficiency.
- Identifying opportunities for cost reductions in line with business objectives (e.g. waste management or de-kit collection reductions) while ensuring all plans comply with Working Time Directives and EU drivers' hours.
- Communicating and providing clear, factual status updates to internal teams (IT, Warehouse and Transport operations) and external stakeholders (Third-Party Logistic sites, Offshore systems teams, Software Vendor teams).
- Ensuring adherence to systems and processes across the supply chain, implementing, monitoring, and measuring all relevant controls to manage operational and reputational risks to the Partnership.
- Role model the Partnership Behaviours and proactively invest in your own continuous professional development, both technically and personally.
- Drive your own contribution conversations and set and review your development goals regularly.
Essential Skills/experience You’ll Need
- A clear understanding of the components of TMS (Transport Management Systems) and WMS (Warehouse Management Systems) Solution.
- Previous knowledge of Paragon, Microlise, C3, or similar software.
- Previous Distribution planning experience (this can be experience in managing schedules for a fleet of vehicles or warehouse operations) and a history of working effectively across supply chain departments.
- Ability to communicate with both internal and external stakeholders (all levels).
- Evidence of identifying and supporting cost-reduction initiatives (identify areas where cost saving can be made in backhaul placement and opportunities to reduce driving routes).
Desirable Skills/experience You May Have
- A proven track record of maintaining data integrity and accuracy under pressure.
- Certification of a professional body associated with planning (e.g Professional Competency qualification for Transport Managers (Road Haulage)).
Join our Waitrose team in Bracknell and play a pivotal role in ensuring our shelves stay stocked and our depots meet their service targets, apply today!
About The Partnership
We’re the largest employee-owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us. We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose. As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect. We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective. As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.
Important points to note
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 occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications, and therefore, we recommend you apply early. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability which means you may need longer to complete your application please contact us as soon as possible. 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.
Transport Planner employer: Waitrose & Partners
Contact Detail:
Waitrose & Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Transport Planner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company, understand their values, and be ready to discuss how your skills align with their needs. Practise common interview questions and think of examples that showcase your experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and gives you another chance to highlight why you're the perfect fit.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it’s super easy to keep track of your applications!
We think you need these skills to ace Transport Planner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Distribution Planner role. Highlight your experience with Transport Management Systems and any relevant planning challenges you've tackled. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our Waitrose team!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, don’t shy away from sharing specific examples of how you've solved complex planning issues in the past. We love seeing candidates who can think on their feet and come up with innovative solutions that drive efficiency.
Communicate Clearly: Since this role involves liaising with various stakeholders, make sure your written communication is clear and concise. Use straightforward language and structure your application well so we can easily see your qualifications and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our Partnership right from the start!
How to prepare for a job interview at Waitrose & Partners
✨Know Your Systems
Familiarise yourself with Transport Management Systems (TMS) and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've used these systems in past roles, especially if you have experience with Paragon or similar software.
✨Showcase Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of complex planning challenges you've faced and how you resolved them. Highlight your ability to optimise schedules and manage fleet availability, as this will demonstrate your fit for the Distribution Planner role.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Since the role involves communicating with various stakeholders, being able to convey updates and information effectively will be crucial. Consider doing mock interviews to refine your communication skills.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Be ready to discuss any cost-reduction initiatives you've identified in previous roles. Show that you're proactive about continuous professional development and how you can contribute to the Partnership's goals of efficiency and innovation.