Distribution Planner

Smiths News; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free onsite parking

Health Cash Plan

5% pension match

25 days holiday

Training and development

Job summary

Smiths News in Swindon is seeking a Distribution Planner to optimise final mile routes and support multi-site operations. You will analyse data, coordinate demand and supply, and report on performance across a national network.

Reporting to the National Distribution and Planning Manager, you will engage with clients and stakeholders, drive cost-effective delivery, and contribute to service improvements in a hybrid role from Swindon head office and final mile sites.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in multi-site operational management or support.
• Evidence of career progression within transport administration or logistics.
• Strong communication and relationship management skills.
• Proficient in IT and Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Oversee and optimise final mile routes to retailers, customers and endpoints.
• Provide insight and guidance to peers; fulfil analytical data requests.
• Coordinate demand and supply across networks.
• Manage data reporting and performance metrics.
• Engage with clients and stakeholders to resolve issues.

Skills

Multi-site operations management

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

IT proficiency (Outlook, Excel)

Route optimisation

Tools

Route Optimisation Software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Our reputation as the UK’s largest newspaper and magazine wholesaler speaks for itself. Every day, we serve more than 22,000 customers from 34 distribution centres across the country. Behind every nightly miracle is a team of dedicated people carrying out more roles than you realise – we’re the unseen force that delivers. So when we say we’re excited for what the future holds for our customers and colleagues, you can trust we’re as good as our word.

Joining us as a Distribution Planner, reporting to the National Distribution and Planning Manager, overseeing and optimising final mile routes to retail locations, customers, or other endpoints. This role is critical for ensuring efficient, cost-effective, and timely delivery within the supply chain. You offer insight and guidance to your peers, whilst fulfilling analytical data requests for Subject Matter

Once fully trained this will be a Hybrid role working from our Swindon head office and final mile sites.

About the Role

• Strategic Planning & Optimization
• Demand & Supply Coordination
• Network Management
• Data Analysis & Reporting
• Problem Solving & Issue Resolution
• Client and Stakeholder Engagement

Please see job description attached for full role details

What we can offer you

Not only do we offer free onsite parking and competitive salary but you’ll also have access to:

• Company funded Health Cash Plan – providing cash back for everyday healthcare costs such as dental, optical and physiotherapy
• 5% match pension
• 25 days holiday plus holiday buy scheme
• 24/7 E-Learning modules, Training and Development opportunities
• Sharesave Scheme, Cycle to work schemes, Health cash plan
• Colleague Assistance Programme & Colleague referral scheme

About you

Extensive experience in multi-site operational management or support With a track record of career progression within a transport administration, you’ll be able to evidence:

• Excellent customer service: high levels of inter-personal skills, professionalism and relationship management
• Strong communicator: ability to communicate in a clear and concise manner.
• Logical approach to process and problem resolution
• Proven knowledge of IT, specifically Microsoft Office products including but not limited to Outlook, Excel, Word & Power Point
• Well-organised with the ability to manage workload, working under pressure to tight deadlines at times
• Motivated with a desire to deliver consistent and high-quality results at all times.
• Good team player, willing to support others to ensure results are delivered
• Flexible and adaptable within an environment of change
• Experiences in using Route Optimisation Software

Please note: you must have the right to work in the UK to be considered for this position.

A career with us is a career filled with people, pride, and passion. We rely on each other to get the job done, and we deliver what we say we will. Let’s see if we can rely on you, too.