Transport Planner
As a Transport Planner, you know a good day is when every truck leaves full, safe and on time, and customers barely notice how much work went into it.
In this role, you’ll be the planning heartbeat of our client’s Bridgwater operation, scheduling every outbound delivery of insulated panels, roofing sheets and flashings so customers get the right products on the right day.
You’ll sit at the centre of operations, balancing customer promises, safety, cost and legal compliance while keeping vehicles and drivers working efficiently.
What You'll Do
In this Transport Planner position you will own daily and weekly delivery routes for the in-house fleet and third-party hauliers, balancing vehicle fill, cost and customer delivery windows.
Build safe, legal loads for long and heavy building products, selecting the right vehicle types and coordinating with production so everything is manufactured in time for despatch.
Lead and coordinate a team of seven drivers, setting clear plans, handling on-the-day changes, and providing supportive briefings and debriefings so everyone knows what good looks like.
Manage the vehicle fleet and any rental vehicles, planning around drivers’ hours, tachograph data and working-time rules to support the company’s Operator’s Licence obligations.
Book, manage and maintain strong relationships with agency drivers and subcontracted hauliers, including negotiating rates where appropriate and keeping a reliable approved-haulier list.
Track vehicles in transit using available systems, acting quickly on delays, breakdowns or site issues, and keeping customers, drivers and colleagues informed when plans need to change.
Monitor delivery performance, including on-time, cost per drop, vehicle utilisation and haulier performance, and suggest practical improvements such as route consolidation and better use of return loads.
Use data and tracking insights to identify improvements in route planning, consolidation and return-load opportunities that reduce cost per drop and improve reliability.
What You'll Bring
At least two years’ experience in transport planning, logistics coordination or a traffic office role, ideally handling multi-drop or regional routes.
Working knowledge of UK drivers’ hours regulations, tachograph use and load-security rules, and how they shape day-to-day planning decisions.
Proven experience booking and managing third-party hauliers, agency drivers and full-time drivers in a collaborative, respectful and dependable way.
Confident IT skills, including Excel and an ERP or transport management system; exposure to route-planning software or vehicle tracking and telematics is a bonus.
A calm, organised and decisive approach when plans change at short notice, with clear, confident communication to customers, drivers and colleagues.
Any background in building or trade products, construction supply, steel, or other long and heavy goods would be advantageous but is not essential.
What's On Offer
Salary between £30,000 and £40,000, depending on experience.
Permanent Transport Planner role at the heart of a well-established manufacturing and distribution operation.
On-site position in Bridgwater, working closely with operations, production and sales in a connected, collaborative environment.
The chance to own the planning of every outbound load, directly shaping customer experience, fleet performance and delivery reliability.
Opportunities to broaden your skills across fleet management, driver leadership, compliance and logistics process improvement.
Benefits package, with details available on application.
If you’re a Transport Planner who takes pride in safe, efficient and dependable deliveries, this role gives you the autonomy and responsibility to make that happen every day.
Key Information
Job Title: Transport Planner
Location: Bridgwater
Work Policy: On-site
Salary: £30,000–£40,000
Benefits: Details on application
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