Distribution Planner

Waitrose & Partners; England; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Waitrose & Partners is seeking a permanent Distribution Planner to manage daily transport schedules within the distribution operation. The ideal candidate should possess strong negotiation skills, relevant distribution knowledge, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. You will work in a hybrid role, balancing office and remote responsibilities to support operational goals.

Qualifications

• Essential skills include GCSE or equivalent in Mathematics and English.
• Proven relationship management and negotiation skills.
• Knowledge of transport and distribution operations is valuable.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver the daily transport schedule for the distribution operation.
• Implement, monitor and measure controls to manage operational risk.
• Collaborate to balance service and cost effectively.

Skills

Relationship Management

Proactive problem-solving

Negotiation skills

Knowledge of Microsoft Office

Good geographical knowledge

Education

GCSE in Mathematics

GCSE in English Language

Tools

Paragon knowledge

Route Planning software

Job description

About The Role

We have an opportunity for a permanent Distribution Planner. In this role you’ll plan and deliver the daily transport schedule to support the Waitrose Distribution operation in order to enable responsive, agile, cost-effective and efficient transportation that meets and wherever possible exceeds targets and provides peerless service to our customers.

• Salary - £28,000 - £43,400
• Contract type - This position is a Permanent contract.
• Working pattern/flexible working - The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business. The team aim for around 3-4 days a week in the office to connect and on a more ad-hoc basis to attend key meetings.
• Location - This role is based at our Bracknell Head Office.
  
  

Key Responsibilities

This is a demanding role in a busy and fast-paced environment so would suit a highly motivated individual able to work to tight deadlines, who has strong influencing and negotiation skills. Who can set vision and deliver through effective business planning. A collaborative approach is required to ensure the correct balance of Service v Cost (Value) is achieved for Waitrose moving forward whilst managing day to day operations. A large part of the role will be to implement, monitor and measure all relevant controls are in place to manage operational and reputational Risk to the Partnership.

Essential Skills/experience You’ll Need

• GCSE or equivalent in Mathematics and English Language
• Good Knowledge of Microsoft Office or similar packages
• Relationship Management across the business
• Proactive approach to creating solutions
• Paragon knowledge
• Distribution or Retail knowledge
  
  

Desirable Skills/experience You May Have

• Certification of a professional body associated with planning
• Transport industry knowledge of Road Transport Directive
• Experience of Route Planning software
• Broad knowledge of Network Management and processes
• Good geographical knowledge
  
  

About The Partnership

We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.

We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.

As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect.

We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective.

As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.

Important points to note:

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.

We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants.

We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.