Groupage Transport Planner – Route Optimisation Specialist

Aspion; West Kirby; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Aspion are recruiting for an experienced Groupage Transport Planner to join a large organisation specialising in general haulage loads across the UK, based in Liverpool City Centre.

You will plan and coordinate routes, manage a fleet, and optimise vehicle utilisation while keeping OTIF targets and customer service top of mind. The role offers Monday to Friday days, with potential for improving transport efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years' transport planning or logistics experience.
• Experience within groupage, general haulage or multi-drop distribution.
• Experience planning part loads and grouping deliveries geographically.
• Strong understanding of vehicle utilisation and route optimisation.
• Good geographical knowledge of the UK.
• Experience with transport KPIs including OTIF and delivery performance.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to make decisions within a fast-paced transport environment.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Experience using Transport Management Systems.
• Strong Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office skills.
• Basic understanding of HGV weights, dimensions and transport terminology.
• Proactive approach with the ability to work independently and as part of a planning team.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate national store delivery routes across a large retail network.
• Manage approximately 15-20 vehicles as part of a wider fleet operation.
• Group part-load and groupage deliveries together geographically to maximise vehicle utilisation.
• Maximise trailer space, drops per vehicle and overall transport efficiency.
• Plan deliveries around customer volumes, store requirements and agreed delivery windows.
• Monitor vehicle movements from collection through to final delivery.
• Ensure deliveries are completed in line with agreed OTIF and service-level KPIs.
• Proactively manage delays, shortages, delivery failures and other operational issues.
• Maintain accurate information within the Transport Management System.
• Work closely with drivers, transport colleagues, warehouse teams and customer contacts.
• Analyse transport performance and identify opportunities to improve routes, utilisation and operating costs.
• Communicate any service issues or non-conformances to customers in a timely manner.
• Ensure transport plans remain legally compliant with drivers' hours, Working Time Directive and operational requirements.
• Support daily, weekly and monthly transport performance reporting.
• Build strong relationships with customer stakeholders and internal operational teams.
• Continuously challenge existing processes and identify opportunities to improve service and efficiency.

Skills

Transport planning

Groupage logistics

Route optimisation

UK geography

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Organisational skills

Decision making

Customer service

Communication skills

Excel

Transport KPIs: OTIF

Tools

Transport Management Systems

Job description

Aspion are recruiting for an experienced Groupage Transport Planner to join a large organisation specialising in general haulage loads across the UK, based in Liverpool City Centre.

You will plan and coordinate routes, manage a fleet, and optimise vehicle utilisation while keeping OTIF targets and customer service top of mind. The role offers Monday to Friday days, with potential for improving transport efficiency and cost effectiveness.