Transport Planner.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Transport Planner to join our operations team, covering logistics across our two manufacturing sites at Keighley, West Yorkshire and Sedgefield, County Durham. This is a hands-on, commercially focused role operating in a fast-paced, 24/7 manufacturing environment.
Reporting to the General Managers at Keighley and Sedgefield, the successful candidate will take ownership of transport planning across both sites, managing a combination of own-fleet operations and subcontract haulage to deliver an efficient, cost-effective, and compliant logistics function.
Main Purpose: The Transport Planner is responsible for planning and optimising transport movements across both manufacturing sites, ensuring customer deliveries are fulfilled on time, at the lowest achievable cost, and in full compliance with operator licence and legislative requirements. The role requires strong organisational and analytical skills, commercial awareness, and the ability to work collaboratively with site operations, warehouse, and customer-facing teams.
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities
· Plan daily and weekly transport movements for both Keighley and Sedgefield sites, balancing own-fleet and subcontract haulage to meet customer delivery requirements.
· Build loads efficiently to maximise vehicle fill and minimise empty running and unnecessary mileage.
· Optimise routes to reduce cost, fuel consumption, and transit times without compromising service levels.
· Manage on-site traffic flow in close collaboration with the warehouse managers at both sites, always ensuring safe and efficient vehicle movements.
· Achieve the lowest possible transport cost consistent with maintaining the required level of customer service.
· Negotiate freight rates with subcontract hauliers, ensuring commercial terms are regularly reviewed and remain competitive.
· Monitor and control transport spend, providing accurate cost data and variance analysis to support operational and financial reporting.
· Manage and schedule own drivers, ensuring full compliance with drivers’ hours regulations, tachograph requirements, and working time legislation.
· Oversee vehicle and fleet maintenance schedules, ensuring all vehicles are roadworthy, legally compliant, and serviced to the required standard.
· Hold full accountability for all requirements of the company’s Operator’s Licence, including record-keeping, vehicle inspections, driver management, and liaison with the Traffic Commissioner where required.
· Coordinate customs clearance for all import and export shipments, working with the company’s nominated customs broker to ensure accurate and timely submission of all documentation.
· Maintain accurate and up-to-date transport data including mileage, load utilisation, cost per delivery, and compliance records.
· Produce regular KPI reports covering key metrics such as empty mileage, cost per delivery, vehicle utilisation, and on-time-in-full performance, and analyse trends to drive continuous improvement.
· Communicate directly with customers where required to manage delivery schedules, exceptions, and escalations.
· Work closely with customer service teams to align transport planning with customer requirements and delivery windows.
The role requires a high level of organisational ability, commercial judgement, and the ability to influence across site operations, logistics, and customer-facing functions.
The successful candidate will have;
Essential Qualifications
· Demonstrable experience in a transport planning or logistics coordination role, preferably within a manufacturing, food, or FMCG environment.
· Working knowledge of Operator Licence requirements, road transport legislation, and drivers’ hours rules (GB domestic).
· Experience managing a combination of own-fleet and subcontract haulage operations.
· Proven ability to negotiate freight rates and manage carrier relationships on commercial terms.
· Strong data management skills with the ability to maintain accurate records and produce meaningful KPI reporting.
· Experience of import and/or export customs clearance processes.
· Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and experience of transport management or planning systems.
Desirable / Advantageous
· Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) in Road Haulage — National or International.
· Experience operating across multiple sites or depots.
· Familiarity with tachograph analysis software.
· Experience liaising with the Traffic Commissioner or supporting operator licence audits.
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Location: Sedgefield
Salary: Competitive — dependent on experience
· Our benefits include:
· 25 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays
· A contributory Pension Scheme once you have been employed for three months
· On-site parking
Pay: £33,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
