PM Transport Planner - Optimize Routes, Drive Profit

Culina Group Limited; Crawley; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Leave 28 days

Pension 5% employee / 3% employer

Life Assurance

Wellness programme

Eye care vouchers

Rewards programme

Employee discounts

Job summary

The Pallet Network, part of the Culina Group, is seeking a Transport Planner to coordinate daily transport operations, maximise vehicle utilisation, and support driver management while delivering high service levels.

Based in the UK, the role covers planning routes, ensuring on-time departures, and maintaining profitability. The company offers a collaborative environment and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Previous transport operational experience.
• Good geographical knowledge of the UK.
• Proficient in computer literacy including Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook.
• CPC desirable but not required.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to succeed in a pressurised environment.
• Customer focus on delivery performance.
• Commercially and financially astute and driven to deliver exceptional results.
• Experience of using a TMS system.
• Experience in an FMCG environment.
• Strong analytical and Excel capability across standard formulas.

Responsibilities

• Maintain effective communication across the operation, promoting a collaborative and team-focused working environment.
• Ensure drivers report for duty on time and arrange appropriate cover for any absences.
• Plan and allocate vehicles and drivers effectively to maximise utilisation and operational efficiency.
• Route all available vehicles to optimise revenue, ensuring routes are achievable, cost-effective, and regularly updated throughout the day.
• Complete all daily planning tasks and checks accurately, including postcode validation and route reviews.
• Analyse delivery and operational data to ensure vehicle profitability, KPI performance, and revenue targets are achieved.
• Coordinate loading and pre-loading activities to ensure all vehicles depart on time and according to schedule.
• Work closely with The Pallet Network (TPN) team to drive depot efficiency, profitability, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage driver queries, conduct driver debriefs, and ensure all planned collections and deliveries are completed as scheduled.
• Resolve customer queries and complaints professionally, maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction and service.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with customers, other TPN depots, drivers, and colleagues across the business.
• Complete all administrative duties accurately and within required timescales.
• Maintain and update all operational systems, ensuring accurate data entry, POD management, and record keeping.
• Answer inbound telephone calls in a professional and timely manner.
• Undertake any additional duties required to support the transport operation and wider business needs.
• Adhere to all Health & Safety policies and contribute to the ongoing analysis and improvement of operational performance and service delivery KPIs.

Skills

Excellent communication

Customer focus

Analytical thinking

Commercial acumen

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Outlook

TMS system

Job description

The Pallet Network, part of the Culina Group, is seeking a Transport Planner to coordinate daily transport operations, maximise vehicle utilisation, and support driver management while delivering high service levels.

Based in the UK, the role covers planning routes, ensuring on-time departures, and maintaining profitability. The company offers a collaborative environment and a comprehensive benefits package.