Route Optimisation and Demand Forecasting Manager

JR United Kingdom; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading service provider in Europe is seeking a Route Optimisation & Demand / Forecasting Manager in Chelmsford to transform operations across the UK and Europe. The role encompasses standardising planning methodologies, implementing route optimisation tools, and driving data-informed decision-making to enhance efficiency and service delivery.

Benefits

Competitive salary

5% Contributory Pension scheme

Family Life Assurance – 3x salary

Private healthcare from Day 1

Enhanced maternity and paternity pay

Career development support

Employee recognition initiatives

Corporate discount schemes

24/7 Employee Assistance Program

Qualifications

• Experience in operational or planning roles with a strong analytical focus.
• Proven ability to shape and implement planning methodologies.
• Fluent in translating complex data insights into actionable strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of route planning methodologies across all markets.
• Embed route optimisation tools to enhance operational efficiency.
• Design forecasting models to predict service demand effectively.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Strategic planning

Route optimisation

Data-driven decision making

Collaborative leadership

Tools

Power BI

Route optimisation software

Job description

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Route Optimisation and Demand Forecasting Manager, chelmsford

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Job Views:

5

Posted:

26.06.2025

Expiry Date:

10.08.2025

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Job Description:

The Opportunity

Are you passionate about transforming data into operational excellence? Are you ready to drive strategic planning across a pan-European network delivering over a million services annually to industrial customers?

We are looking for a Route Optimisation & Demand / Forecasting Manager to join our Group team, working directly under the leadership of our Chief Service & Operations Officer Team. This is a newly created, high-impact role, central to shaping how we plan and deliver service operations across the UK and Europe.

You will be at the forefront of a transformation to standardise and elevate our planning methodology across countries. From integrating route optimisation software to building data-driven forecasting models, you will ensure our services are executed flawlessly, with maximum efficiency and sustainability.

About You

You are an experienced operations or planning professional with a strong analytical mindset and the confidence to work across countries, cultures, and functions. You bring a strategic view of route planning and forecasting and thrive on turning data into decisions that drive measurable improvements.

You’re ready to lead a cross-market planning evolution - shaping standards, aligning stakeholders, and embedding best practices across local teams. You have experience with route optimisation tools, demand forecasting, and operational performance metrics, and you're fluent in translating complex insights into clear actions.

You are collaborative, solutions-focused, and motivated by the opportunity to make a significant impact on how a major European business operates day-to-day.

You’re ready for a role that offers professional growth, global exposure, and the chance to make a tangible impact.

About Us

Safetykleen is a leading provider of Parts Cleaning, Waste Collection and Environmental Advisory services to businesses across Europe. Safetykleen employs over 2,000 people and serves over 50,000 businesses in 14 countries. We deliver over 1 million services per year through our unparalleled branch network. Our headquarters are based in London, and we are backed by Apax, a leading Private Equity firm.

We are built on a strong business model, winning culture, and always putting the customer at the heart of everything we do. We have big ambitions with a strong strategy to succeed, all whilst making the planet Safer and Kleener.

The Package

• Competitive salary (based on experience and market).
• 5% Contributory Pension scheme.
• Family Life Assurance – 3x salary.
• Private healthcare from Day 1.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Career development support and structured learning programs.
• Employee recognition and wellbeing initiatives.
• Corporate discount schemes including gym membership and lifestyle benefits.
• Tastecard membership and cashback offers.
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program.

Into the detail - Key Responsibilities

Planning Standardisation & Operational Optimisation

• Lead the development and rollout of a standard route planning methodology across all markets, ensuring consistency and scalability in service delivery.
• Champion the adoption and embedding of route optimisation software, aligning tool capabilities with real-world operational needs.
• Identify and share best practices across countries, supporting local teams in applying data-driven decision-making to improve route efficiency, service accuracy, and capacity planning.
• Translate service data into actionable changes that reduce travel time, cut fuel consumption, and eliminate inefficient or failed visits.

Stakeholder Engagement & Change Leadership

• Act as a key change agent, building engagement across regional operations and planning teams to embed a culture of continuous improvement.
• Work closely with Country Managers, Planning Teams, Branch Managers, and Analysts to align local actions with Group strategy.
• Provide structured updates, business cases, and recommendations to senior stakeholders to support decision-making and investment prioritisation.

Data-Led Insights & Forecasting

• Drive the design of forecasting models to predict service demand based on historic trends, seasonality, customer contracts, and route constraints.
• Partner with the Group Reporting & Analytics team to build dashboards and tools that provide deeper insights into route performance, capacity utilisation, and service adherence.
• Ensure that data integrity is maintained across systems and that any inconsistencies are addressed proactively with IT and data teams.

Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Define and track key performance indicators for planning efficiency, service delivery accuracy, route productivity, and fuel efficiency.
• Design and deliver regular performance reviews and deep-dive analysis into trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Automate routine reports and build Power BI dashboards to provide real-time visibility of planning and service performance at all levels of the organisation.

Ready to Lead a Smarter Future?

This role is a unique opportunity to drive group-wide transformation in how we plan, forecast, and deliver our services. If you're ready to shape the operational backbone of a leading European environmental business, we’d love to hear from you.