Transport Planner

Coats Recruitment Limited; Burnley; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension scheme

28 days holiday

Career progression

Job summary

Coats Recruitment Limited in Burnley is seeking an experienced Transport Planner to join a growing family-run transport operation. You will plan daily schedules, optimise routes and manage drivers to ensure on-time, compliant deliveries.

The role requires knowledge of UK road networks, HGV operations, and Driver Hours/tachograph regulations. A proactive, calm, and organised approach is essential for day-to-day transport management.

Qualifications

• Previous experience within transport planning, logistics coordination or transport supervision.
• Strong knowledge of UK road networks and geography.
• Experience planning HGV or commercial vehicle operations.
• Good understanding of Drivers' Hours and tachograph regulations.
• Experience managing drivers and dealing with day-to-day operational issues.
• Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships with drivers, customers and colleagues.
• Good IT and Microsoft Office skills.
• A proactive and positive approach to transport operations.
• The ability to remain calm and make effective decisions under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage daily multi-drop delivery schedules.
• Optimise vehicle routes to maximise fleet and driver utilisation.
• Allocate drivers and vehicles effectively.
• Monitor live delivery routes and respond to delays or operational issues.
• Liaise with drivers regarding routes, schedules and delivery requirements.
• Deal with driver, customer and operational queries.
• Resolve delivery issues quickly and professionally.
• Ensure compliance with Drivers' Hours Regulations and digital tachograph requirements.
• Maintain high standards of transport and legal compliance.
• Monitor vehicle defects and escalation maintenance requirements.
• Conduct driver debriefs and monitor driver performance.
• Assist with accident, incident, disciplinary and conduct investigations where required.
• Carry out return-to-work interviews and support sickness reviews.
• Monitor driver and route performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Support the Transport Manager with wider operational and team management responsibilities.

Skills

Transport planning

Route optimisation

Driver management

Communication skills

Organisation

IT skills

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Working Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 11:00am – 8:00pm

Job Type: Permanent, Full-time

Coats Recruitment are currently working with a well-established and growing family-run business in Burnley who are looking to recruit an experienced Transport Planner to join their busy transport operation.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced transport professional looking to join a stable and expanding business, with opportunities for long-term progression.

The Role

Working as part of a small transport office team, you will play a key role in the day-to-day running of the transport operation, ensuring vehicles and drivers are planned efficiently and deliveries are completed safely, on time and in line with customer requirements.

You will be responsible for planning daily delivery schedules, optimising routes, managing drivers and responding to operational issues throughout the day.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and manage daily multi-drop delivery schedules.
• Optimise vehicle routes to maximise fleet and driver utilisation.
• Allocate drivers and vehicles effectively.
• Monitor live delivery routes and respond to delays or operational issues.
• Liaise with drivers regarding routes, schedules and delivery requirements.
• Deal with driver, customer and operational queries.
• Resolve delivery issues quickly and professionally.
• Ensure compliance with Drivers' Hours Regulations and digital tachograph requirements.
• Maintain high standards of transport and legal compliance.
• Monitor vehicle defects and escalation maintenance requirements.
• Conduct driver debriefs and monitor driver performance.
• Assist with accident, incident, disciplinary and conduct investigations where required.
• Carry out return-to-work interviews and support sickness reviews.
• Monitor driver and route performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Support the Transport Manager with wider operational and team management responsibilities.

About You

We are looking for an organised and confident transport professional with previous experience within transport planning, logistics coordination or transport supervision.

You should have:

• Previous experience within a Transport Planner, Traffic Planner, Transport Coordinator or similar role.
• Strong knowledge of UK road networks and geography.
• Experience planning HGV or commercial vehicle operations.
• Good understanding of Drivers' Hours and tachograph regulations.
• Experience managing drivers and dealing with day-to-day operational issues.
• Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships with drivers, customers and colleagues.
• Good IT and Microsoft Office skills.
• A proactive and positive approach to transport operations.
• The ability to remain calm and make effective decisions under pressure.

Experience with transport planning, routing or tracking systems would be advantageous.

A Class 2 HGV licence would be beneficial but is not essential.

What's On Offer?

• Permanent, full-time position.
• Sunday–Thursday working pattern.
• 11:00am–8:00pm.
• 28 days holiday including bank holidays.
• Additional holiday entitlement with length of service.
• Company pension scheme.
• Christmas Savings Club.
• Long-term career progression.
• Supportive and friendly working environment.
• Opportunity to join a growing and established business.