Road Freight Planner

Michael Page; Dartford; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development

Exposure to international transport

Collaborative environment

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Michael Page is seeking a Road Freight Planner to coordinate European road freight movements, optimise fleet utilisation and maintain high levels of customer service across the UK and Europe.

You will work with owner drivers and subcontractors, monitor KPI performance, support profitability and contribute to freight forwarding opportunities within a busy transport team.

Qualifications

• Experience in road freight transport operations or transport planning.
• Knowledge of UK and European road freight networks.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Commercial awareness with understanding of cost control and profitability.
• Experience working with owner drivers and subcontractors.

Responsibilities

• Planning and coordinating European collections and deliveries in line with customer requirements.
• Managing and allocating transport movements through a network of owner drivers and subcontractors.
• Maximising vehicle utilisation and reducing empty running.
• Monitoring transport activity and proactively resolving operational issues.
• Building strong relationships with drivers, subcontractors and customers.
• Working closely with the wider planning team to deliver operational efficiencies.
• Ensuring transport activities are delivered in a cost-effective and profitable manner.
• Supporting margin improvement and identifying opportunities to develop freight forwarding revenue.
• Maintaining accurate transport, pricing and customer information within internal systems.
• Assisting with KPI reporting and operational performance monitoring.
• Managing invoice queries and ensuring accurate system updates where required.

Skills

Road freight planning

UK & European networks

Stakeholder management

Communication

Cost control

Owner drivers & subcontractors

Job description

An exciting opportunity for a Road Freight Planner to join a growing logistics business, managing European road freight operations and coordinating transport solutions across a network of drivers and subcontractors. The successful candidate will play a key role in optimising fleet utilisation, maintaining excellent customer service, and ensuring profitable, efficient delivery of international road freight movements.

Client Details

Our client is a well-established and growing logistics business based in Dartford operating across the UK and Europe. They provide tailored road freight solutions to a diverse customer base and are recognised for delivering high levels of service, operational excellence and long-term customer partnerships. Due to continued growth, they are looking to appoint a Road Freight Planner to join their transport operations team.

Description

The Road Freight Planner will be responsible for coordinating and optimising European road freight movements, ensuring the efficient utilisation of transport resources while maintaining excellent customer service standards.

• Planning and coordinating European collections and deliveries in line with customer requirements.
• Managing and allocating transport movements through a network of owner drivers and subcontractors.
• Maximising vehicle utilisation and reducing empty running.
• Monitoring transport activity and proactively resolving operational issues.
• Building strong relationships with drivers, subcontractors and customers.
• Working closely with the wider planning team to deliver operational efficiencies.
• Ensuring transport activities are delivered in a cost-effective and profitable manner.
• Supporting margin improvement and identifying opportunities to develop freight forwarding revenue.
• Maintaining accurate transport, pricing and customer information within internal systems.
• Assisting with KPI reporting and operational performance monitoring.
• Managing invoice queries and ensuring accurate system updates where required.

Profile

The successful candidate is likely to have:

• Experience within road freight transport operations or transport planning.
• Knowledge of UK and European road freight networks.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• The ability to thrive in a fast-paced transport environment.
• Commercial awareness with an understanding of cost control and profitability.
• Experience working with owner drivers and subcontractors.

Desirable experience includes:

• Previous planning experience within European road freight operations.
• Knowledge of key European markets including France, Belgium, Netherlands and Italy.
• Experience within freight forwarding environments.
• Understanding of transport margins and commercial planning.

Job Offer

• Competitive salary package.
• Opportunity to join a growing and successful logistics organisation.
• Career development within a European freight operation.
• Supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Exposure to a broad range of international transport activities.