Traffic Operator

TLP; Stanford-le-Hope; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free Parking

Pension

UK Discounts

Job summary

TLP is seeking an experienced Traffic Operator/Planner to join our busy container haulage operation, coordinating container movements across the UK from Felixstowe to London Gateway. This hands-on role requires keeping drivers moving and adapting to changing schedules.

You'll plan daily movements, allocate work to HGV drivers, liaise with port teams and freight partners, and monitor KPIs to improve efficiency. A UK ports knowledge and strong Excel skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience planning and allocating work to HGV drivers.
• Good knowledge of UK port and inland terminal operations.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Good Microsoft Office and Excel skills.
• Experience with TOPS or a similar transport system would be an advantage.
• An understanding of drivers' hours and transport compliance.
• Confident communication with drivers, customers and suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate daily container movements and transport schedules.
• Allocate work to drivers and use fleet resources efficiently.
• Arrange collections and deliveries across UK ports, inland terminals, depots and customer sites.
• Liaise with drivers, customers, port teams, operators and freight partners.
• Keep schedules and react to delays, congestion and operational changes.
• Deal with failed collections, waiting time and other day-to-day transport issues.
• Ensure drivers have the correct job details, bookings and paperwork.
• Monitor drivers' hours and work within transport legislation and company procedures.
• Keep transport systems and job records up to date, including TOPS.
• Use Excel and Microsoft Office for planning, reporting and tracking.
• Help monitor KPIs and identify ways to improve efficiency.
• Keep an eye on demurrage, detention, waiting time and additional haulage costs.

Skills

Container planning

Driver planning

UK port knowledge

Organisational skills

Excel

Microsoft Office

Transport compliance

Communication skills

Tools

TOPS

Job description

Traffic Operator/Planner - Container Haulage

Location: Felixstowe or London Gateway

Salary: £35,000-£45,000 DOE

Benefits: Free Parking | Pension | UK Discounts

Keep the wheels turning…

We're looking for an experienced Traffic Operator/Planner to join a busy container haulage operation, coordinating the movement of containers, vehicles and drivers across the UK.

This is a hands‑on role where no two days are quite the same. You'll be planning work, keeping drivers moving, dealing with ports and terminals and, inevitably, figuring out what to do when the carefully planned schedule suddenly goes out the window!

What you'll be doing

• Plan and coordinate daily container movements and transport schedules.
• Allocate work to drivers and make the best use of available fleet and resources.
• Arrange collections and deliveries across UK ports, inland terminals, depots and customer sites.
• Liaise with drivers, customers, port teams, operators and freight partners.
• Keep a close eye on schedules and react quickly to delays, congestion and operational changes.
• Deal with failed collections, waiting time and other day‑to‑day transport issues.
• Make sure drivers have the correct job details, bookings and paperwork.
• Monitor drivers' hours and work within transport legislation and company procedures.
• Keep transport systems and job records up to date, including TOPS.
• Use Excel and Microsoft Office for planning, reporting and tracking.
• Help monitor KPIs and identify ways to improve efficiency.
• Keep an eye on demurrage, detention, waiting time and additional haulage costs.

What we're looking for

You'll ideally have previous experience within container haulage, transport operations or traffic planning, with a good understanding of UK ports and container movements.

You'll also need:

• Experience planning and allocating work to HGV drivers.
• Good knowledge of UK port and inland terminal operations.
• Strong organisational and problem‑solving skills.
• Good Microsoft Office and Excel skills.
• Experience with TOPS or a similar transport system would be an advantage.
• An understanding of drivers' hours and transport compliance.
• Confident communication skills and the ability to deal with drivers, customers and suppliers.

And most importantly…

You’ll be someone who thinks on their feet. Transport rarely goes exactly to plan, so we're looking for someone who stays calm, finds solutions and keeps things moving when the pressure is on.

If you know your Felixstowe from your London Gateway and can handle a day where the plan changes five times before lunch, we'd like to hear from you