Group Planning Manager

ZipRecruiter; Etwall CP; On-site; GBP 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in transport planning seeks a Group Planning Manager to lead planning teams and optimize transport assets. The role involves analyzing costs, managing resources, and ensuring compliance while delivering operational KPIs. Ideal candidates will have strong budgeting and leadership skills, along with a proven track record in transport planning.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in transport planning.
• Experience in budgeting, including P&L management.
• People management experience in operational environments.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Daily Transport Plan and analyze costs.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the planning team.
• Coordinate with Customer Service and logistics planners.

Skills

Budgeting

Planning

Critical Thinking

Problem Solving

Data Analysis

Communication

Leadership

Tools

Paragon

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

Group Planning Manager

Salary Range: £45,000 per annum

Location: Derby

Contract type: Full time, permanent

Working hours: Monday to Friday

Main Purpose and Scope of the Job

To proactively lead and plan with the relevant planning teams within the group, while delivering an effective transport plan that optimizes the company’s transport assets. This plan should ensure efficiency, compliance, meet customer requirements, minimize costs, and generate profit where possible. To manage a planning organization capable of delivering current business needs and future aspirations.

Duties & Responsibilities

1. Manage the Daily Transport Plan by:

• Analyzing daily costs associated with each site, region, and group
• Using Paragon and Apod for all transactions and planning
• Monitoring Empty Legs information regularly
• Monitoring resource pools, including vehicles, trailers, and drivers
• Tracking the status of planned and completed jobs
• Communicating daily with logistics planners to ensure data accuracy for dashboards
• Gathering information on outstanding work and communicating during daily conference calls
• Supporting sites with outstanding work alongside logistics planners
• Coordinating with Customer Service, Loop teams, Site Managers, and other stakeholders to resolve issues
• Briefing planning teams with updates from conference calls
• Managing and utilizing the "best fit" hauliers

Provide leadership and guidance to the planning team and individual planners by:

• Communicating with sites and transport teams regarding restrictions affecting planning efficiency
• Analyzing resource pool data and discussing excess hours and utilization with planners
• Proactively addressing agency trends and challenges
• Managing absence and holiday schedules for the team
• Ensuring critical information flow through updates and notices
• Meeting training needs for planners, including inductions and re-training on relevant systems
• Enhancing organizational capability via appraisals, 1-1s, and objective setting

Skills and Competency

• Knowledge of budgeting and profit and loss monitoring
• Strong planning and determination skills
• Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Data analysis, planning, and organizational skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Leadership qualities with the ability to provide clear direction

Experience

• Proven track record in transport planning
• Experience in budgeting, including P&L management
• People management experience, especially in operational and customer-focused environments
• Experience delivering operational KPIs

Knowledge

• Experience with planning software, preferably Paragon
• Planning management experience
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Personal Attributes & Other Requirements

• Ability to travel across network sites
• Customer-focused mindset
• Strong management skills
• Coaching style leadership
• Excellent communication and team engagement skills
• Commercial awareness