Transport Planning Manager

Hours: 40 per week, Monday–Friday
Core

Hours:

08:00–17:00 (flexibility required to support occasional morning and afternoon shift cover)

We are looking for a proactive and highly organised Transport Planning Manager to lead our Portbury Transport Planning team. In this key operational role, you will ensure the delivery of achievable, cost‑effective routes while supporting our commitment to exceptional service standards.

Reporting to the Distribution Operations Manager, you will oversee the day‑to‑day planning and execution of the national delivery schedule. You’ll act as the escalation point for complex decisions and provide vital coordination between Transport Managers, the Distribution Projects & Compliance Manager, and other key departments.

Safety, compliance, and service excellence sit at the heart of this position, ensuring our customers receive their deliveries on time and as promised.

• Lead and develop a team of two Transport Planners, responsible for morning and evening planning shifts.
• Deliver all aspects of people management, including 1:1s, appraisals, constructive feedback, performance reviews, and overall wellbeing support.
• Manage daily delivery route planning to ensure efficiency, compliance, and cost control.
• Respond quickly and effectively to operational changes or disruptions.
• Ensure all planning adheres to legal requirements and internal standards.
• Act as the main point of contact between transport, warehouse, and customer service teams.
• Address queries promptly, ensure SLA compliance, and keep customers informed of delivery progress.
• Plan and organise driver routes to ensure staffing levels, route efficiency and performance meet the needs of the transport operation, while consistently delivering excellent customer service.
• Provide cover and operational support to the wider Transport team as required, ensuring continuity of service during busy periods or staff absence.
• Create compliant and efficient vehicle routes across the network, adhering to legal requirements such as vehicle weight limits, Working Time Directive (WTD) rules, and specific customer delivery standards.
• Work collaboratively with the Distribution Team to respond promptly to breakdowns, delays, or operational issues, ensuring customer services are kept fully updated on progress and impacts.
• Build strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to gather insights, feedback and operational data, enabling continuous improvement and early identification of potential issues.
• Ensure compliance with all legal, Health & Safety and company procedures, taking swift action to address issues and maintain a safe, compliant and continuously improving safety culture.
• Collaborate with the Driver Trainer to drive improvements in driver performance, including safety standards, driving behaviour, fuel efficiency and overall operational effectiveness.
• Support cost‑reduction and performance‑optimisation initiatives, identifying opportunities to streamline routes, reduce waste and enhance operational efficiency.
• Participate in the on‑call rota, providing out‑of‑hours support one week in every six to ensure issues are resolved promptly and operations remain uninterrupted.

• Experience in transport planning, logistics operations, or a similar managerial role.
• CPC in Road Transport Operations (Managers).
• Confident using dynamic Routing Software Packages.
• Experience of using tracking and telematics application.
• Knowledge of UK road networks, route optimisation and transport operating systems.
• Understanding of compliance requirements including vehicle safety, driver hours regulations and legal planning standards.
• Experience leading or supervising a small team.
• IT proficient, particularly with planning or fleet management systems and Microsoft Office tools.
• Strong organisational and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours to support operational needs.

• Previous experience in multi‑drop food or FMCG delivery operations.
• Experience using SAP would be an advantage but is not essential.

• Strong Leadership Skills
  Proven ability to…