Transport Planner

Overview:
**The role and team**

**The Transport Planner role is 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday.**

**Start times will be flexible, based on operational needs, and vary from 6am to 2pm.**

The Transport planner is responsible for creating the transport delivery plan for the national network using a combination of route planning software and business systems. Working with Customer Services, Warehouse and the Transport operation teams this role is key. Finding solutions to existing and new business meeting customer expectations with delivery restrictions considerations.

As the key contact between drivers, warehouse and customer services, you'll liaise across departments in response to queries and issues to ensure we meet SLAs and customers are kept informed of their deliveries.

This role will suit someone pro-active who can use their initiative to respond to changes quickly and effectively, working within legally required standards.

**Who we are**

We’re the leading food producer for the health and social care sector, providing delicious, nutritious and sustainable meals for people at home or in care.

We’re also the parent company of Wiltshire Farm Foods, the UK’s premier home-delivery service for ready-made meals.

Through our wide range of well-presented, nutritious meals to suit every taste and dietary need, we aim to make a real difference to lives of elderly and vulnerable people in care.

We’re proud to be a Living Wage employer and member of the Ethical Trading Initiative. We support British food and farming and operate a successful programme of waste reduction and resource efficiency across our whole business.

In addition to your salary you will receive a comprehensive training program, 33 days annual leave holiday entitlement, the ability to buy additional annual leave, retail discounts, free car parking, free lunch, free turkey (or voucher) at Christmas and much more

**Responsibilities**:

- Responsible for routing vehicles across the network in compliance with legal constraints i.e. vehicle weights, WTD, as well as customer requirements.
- Ensure that all changes & issues with the execution of the plan are communicated to the Transport Team
- Driver Engagement - develop and maintain driver relations, conduct regular delivery updates and ensure issues are addressed
- Work collaboratively with the Distribution Team to ensure that all breakdowns and delays are dealt with in a speedy manner, where appropriate liaising with and updating customer services on progress.
- Work collaboratively with all internal and external stakeholders in order to gather feedback and key information to enhance operational performance and pro-actively identify and mitigate any current or future potential issues.
- Ensure compliance against, legal, Health and Safety procedures / checks and act on issues as necessary in order to ensure that any issues are identified, rectified, reported and a safe and legally compliant environment is operated at all times whilst constantly improving the safety culture.
- Work with the Driver Trainer to improve key efficiencies and improve driving standards, safety, driving ability and fuel efficiency.
- Support and implement ways in which reduce cost and optimise performance.
- On call duties 1 week in every 6 dealing with out of hours calls

Qualifications:
***Essential**:

- Strong transport planning experience of multi drop, UK wide deliveries is essential
- Strong geographical knowledge of the UK
- Previous experience of managing a driver workforce
- Full understanding of Working Time Directive, Drivers Hours and Operators licensing compliance
- Strong IT skills
- Ability to work well under pressure
- Good people and communication skills
- Customer Service skills from a 3PL or similar background
- Ability to communicate well at all levels
- Strong organisation skills

Experience using SAP would be an advantage but is not essential.

**Personal Qualities**:

- Able to work in a fast pace environment
- Self Motivated
- Customer Focused
- Flexible and adaptable
- Enjoys working with people
- Team player with a hands on approach
- Proactive approach to problem solving
- Ability to work on own initiative
- Is approachable, trustworthy and fair