Lead Planner
Location: Ashbourne / Navenby Feed Mills (with travel as required)
Reporting to: Transport Manager
Join Pilgrim’s Europe and Help Drive a Best-in-Class Logistics Operation
Are you an experienced transport planner looking for your next challenge in a fast-paced logistics environment? Do you thrive on solving problems, driving efficiencies, and delivering exceptional service? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Planner to join our Logistics team.
As Lead Planner, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing the day-to-day transport operation across our Feed Mills, ensuring efficient feed deliveries while supporting operational performance, cost control, and customer satisfaction. Acting as the first point of escalation for the planning team, you'll work closely with the Transport Manager to optimise fleet utilisation, improve performance, and maintain the highest safety standards.
What You'll Be Doing
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Leading and supporting daily transport planning activities across the GB Feed Mills operation.
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Coordinating transport movements to ensure timely and efficient feed deliveries to farms.
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Monitoring operational performance, analysing driver data, and identifying opportunities for improvement.
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Managing scheduling systems, transport trackers, and delivery point information.
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Working closely with drivers, service providers, mill teams, and third-party carriers to deliver exceptional service.
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Supporting contingency planning, including adverse weather operations.
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Acting as an escalation point for transport planning issues and helping to resolve operational challenges.
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Driving efficiencies, reducing costs, and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives.
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Supporting logistics reporting, KPI monitoring, and compliance activities.
What We're Looking For
Essential Skills & Experience
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Minimum 2 years' transport planning experience within a fast-paced logistics, transport, or 3PL environment.
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Strong analytical and organisational skills with excellent attention to detail.
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Experience monitoring and improving performance through KPIs.
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Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
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Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and transport-related IT systems.
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Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently.
Desirable Experience
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Knowledge of agricultural transport operations.
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Experience with automated routing and scheduling systems.
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Microlise telematics experience.
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Digital Tachograph knowledge.
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IOSH Health & Safety qualification.
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CPC qualifications in Transport Operations.
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First Aid qualification.
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Knowledge of vehicle and trailer maintenance compliance.
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Experience delivering continuous improvement projects.
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Strong understanding of transport, health & safety, and environmental legislation.
What Success Looks Like
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Outstanding safety performance with a focus on zero harm.
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Strong on-time departure and delivery results.
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Achievement of transport cost and operational KPI targets.
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Full compliance with driver hours regulations.
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High levels of customer satisfaction across internal and external stakeholders.
Why Join Pilgrim's Europe?
At Pilgrim's Europe, our values shape everything we do. We are committed to creating a culture built on:
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Availability – being open, responsive, and ready for new challenges.
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Humility – listening, respecting, and valuing others.
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Discipline – delivering on our commitments.
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Sincerity – being honest and transparent.
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Simplicity, Ownership & Determination – focusing on what matters and driving success.
If you're ready to take ownership of a critical logistics function and make a real impact within a leading food and agriculture business, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today and help us deliver excellence across our GB Feed Mills network.
Pilgrim's Pride Limited is a division of Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, our business is part of the second largest food company in the world, whose team farm, process, prepare, package and deliver fresh, frozen and value-added food products for sale in more than 100 countries.
We are proud to partner with more than 1,000 UK farmers who share our belief in the highest standards on animal welfare, efficiency, and quality. Our own farming operation is 100% RSPCA Higher Welfare, making us the largest producer of higher welfare pork globally, delivering 25% of pig meat to UK consumers.
