Transport Planner

Aspion; Appleton Thorn; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Aspion is recruiting a Transport Planner for a night operation based in Appleton. The role involves 4 on 4 off nights (6pm–6am) with a focus on planning the night fleet across general haulage and supporting drivers through shifts.

Ideal candidates will have experience in transport planning or supervision, a strong grasp of tachograph rules, and excellent knowledge of UK road networks. You will work within a close-knit night team to maintain service levels and route efficiency.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in transport planning or supervision.
• Strong knowledge of tachograph regulations and driver hours.
• Excellent understanding of UK road networks.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Able to multitask and make decisions under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Plan and replan the night fleet operation for general haulage.
• Monitor service levels; ensure on-time deliveries.
• Manage driver communication during shifts (delays, routes, updates).
• Supervise driver workloads per Working Time Directive.
• Review routes to maximise fleet utilisation and efficiency.
• Provide real-time operational support and adapt to changing priorities.
• Liaise with customers regarding delays and updates as needed.
• Escalate issues to management when necessary.
• Maintain clear communication across planning, operations and drivers.
• Brief drivers before each shift and support overall performance.

Skills

Transport planning

Driver hours compliance

UK road network knowledge

Communication

Multi-tasking

Tools

Transport planning software

Tachograph systems

Job description

Transport Planner

Appleton, Warrington

£36,000 - £38,000

4 on 4 off, 6pm - 6am (nights)

An established and fast-paced haulage operation is seeking an experienced Transport Planner / Night Supervisor to join its night operation team based in Appleton. This is an excellent opportunity for a transport professional with strong planning experience within general haulage who thrives in a busy operational environment.

Working as part of a supportive night team alongside another Planner, an Operations Manager, and Customer Service support, the successful candidate will play a key role in overseeing the night fleet operation, ensuring service levels are maintained and drivers are fully supported throughout the shift.

Responsibilities

• Planning and replanning the night fleet operation across general haulage activities
• Monitoring service levels and ensuring deliveries are completed efficiently and on time
• Managing driver communication throughout the shift, including delays, route issues, and operational updates
• Supervising driver workloads in line with Working Time Directive and driver hours regulations
• Reviewing routes and maximising fleet utilisation and operational efficiency
• Providing real-time operational support and responding quickly to changing priorities
• Liaising with customers regarding delays, service updates, and failed deliveries where required
• Escalating tracker or operational issues to management when necessary
• Maintaining strong communication across planning, operations, customer service, and drivers
• Ensuring all drivers are correctly briefed before the start of their shift
• Supporting overall operational performance and profitability through effective planning decisions

Requirements and Experience

• Previous experience within a Transport Planner or Transport Supervisor role
• Strong background in general haulage planning
• Experience working within a fast-paced transport environment
• Excellent geographical knowledge of UK road networks
• Strong understanding of tachograph legislation and driver hours compliance
• Confident using transport planning systems and operational software
• Able to multitask, prioritise workload, and make effective decisions under pressure
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• Operationally minded with the ability to think on their feet and adapt quickly to changes
• Experience managing collection and backhaul operations would be advantageous

At Aspion, our core values have been built around the importance of transparency, innovation, passion and collaboration. As such, we are committed to open communication and the protection of your privacy. We have updated our policies in line with new General Data Protection Regulation laws to make it easier for you to understand how we collect, store and handle your data - These can be viewed on our website.