Transport Planner

Culina Group Limited; Crawley; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Leave 28 days

Pension 5% employee / 3% employer

Life Assurance

Wellness programme

Eye care vouchers

Rewards programme

Employee discounts

Job summary

The Pallet Network, part of the Culina Group, is seeking a Transport Planner to coordinate daily transport operations, maximise vehicle utilisation, and support driver management while delivering high service levels.

Based in the UK, the role covers planning routes, ensuring on-time departures, and maintaining profitability. The company offers a collaborative environment and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Previous transport operational experience.
• Good geographical knowledge of the UK.
• Proficient in computer literacy including Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook.
• CPC desirable but not required.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to succeed in a pressurised environment.
• Customer focus on delivery performance.
• Commercially and financially astute and driven to deliver exceptional results.
• Experience of using a TMS system.
• Experience in an FMCG environment.
• Strong analytical and Excel capability across standard formulas.

Responsibilities

• Maintain effective communication across the operation, promoting a collaborative and team-focused working environment.
• Ensure drivers report for duty on time and arrange appropriate cover for any absences.
• Plan and allocate vehicles and drivers effectively to maximise utilisation and operational efficiency.
• Route all available vehicles to optimise revenue, ensuring routes are achievable, cost-effective, and regularly updated throughout the day.
• Complete all daily planning tasks and checks accurately, including postcode validation and route reviews.
• Analyse delivery and operational data to ensure vehicle profitability, KPI performance, and revenue targets are achieved.
• Coordinate loading and pre-loading activities to ensure all vehicles depart on time and according to schedule.
• Work closely with The Pallet Network (TPN) team to drive depot efficiency, profitability, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage driver queries, conduct driver debriefs, and ensure all planned collections and deliveries are completed as scheduled.
• Resolve customer queries and complaints professionally, maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction and service.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with customers, other TPN depots, drivers, and colleagues across the business.
• Complete all administrative duties accurately and within required timescales.
• Maintain and update all operational systems, ensuring accurate data entry, POD management, and record keeping.
• Answer inbound telephone calls in a professional and timely manner.
• Undertake any additional duties required to support the transport operation and wider business needs.
• Adhere to all Health & Safety policies and contribute to the ongoing analysis and improvement of operational performance and service delivery KPIs.

Skills

Excellent communication

Customer focus

Analytical thinking

Commercial acumen

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Outlook

TMS system

Job description

Company Description

Join The Pallet Network (Part of the Culina Group) - For 25 years, TPN has been a leader in the pallet network industry, combining top-tier expertise with unmatched service resilience to deliver seamless, tailored solutions. Proudly part of the Culina Group, the UK’s largest privately-owned third‑party logistics specialist, we are committed to excellence. Our state-of-the‑art, 605,081 sq. ft. single hub is the backbone of TPN operations, ensuring faster turnarounds, extended delivery windows, and reliable distribution for both domestic and international consignments. With over 140 depots across the UK and Ireland, we deliver bespoke solutions for consignments of all sizes, backed by unmatched professionalism and dedication to our shared goals.

Job Description

As a Transport Planner, you will play a key role in the success of the Transport team, ensuring the efficient day-to-day planning and coordination of transport operations. You will be responsible for maximising vehicle utilisation, supporting driver management, and delivering excellent service levels while maintaining operational efficiency and profitability.

Working Hours: Mon – Fri PM shift (Start time tbc – Circa 12:00 – 14:00),

Salary: £37,000 per annum

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain effective communication across the operation, promoting a collaborative and team-focused working environment.
• Ensure drivers report for duty on time and arrange appropriate cover for any absences.
• Plan and allocate vehicles and drivers effectively to maximise utilisation and operational efficiency.
• Route all available vehicles to optimise revenue, ensuring routes are achievable, cost-effective, and regularly updated throughout the day.
• Complete all daily planning tasks and checks accurately, including postcode validation and route reviews.
• Analyse delivery and operational data to ensure vehicle profitability, KPI performance, and revenue targets are achieved.
• Coordinate loading and pre-loading activities to ensure all vehicles depart on time and according to schedule.
• Work closely with The Pallet Network (TPN) team to drive depot efficiency, profitability, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage driver queries, conduct driver debriefs, and ensure all planned collections and deliveries are completed as scheduled.
• Resolve customer queries and complaints professionally, maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction and service.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with customers, other TPN depots, drivers, and colleagues across the business.
• Complete all administrative duties accurately and within required timescales.
• Maintain and update all operational systems, ensuring accurate data entry, POD management, and record keeping.
• Answer inbound telephone calls in a professional and timely manner.
• Undertake any additional duties required to support the transport operation and wider business needs.
• Adhere to all Health & Safety policies and contribute to the ongoing analysis and improvement of operational performance and service delivery KPIs.

Qualifications

• Previous transport operational experience.
• Good geographical knowledge of the UK.
• Proficient in computer literacy including Microsoft Excel, Powerpoint, Work and Outlook.
• CPC Desirable but not required.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to succeed in a pressurised environment.
• Customer focus on delivery performance.
• Commercially and Financially astute and driven to deliver exceptional results.
• Experience of using a TMS system.
• Experience in an FMCG environment.
• Strong analytical and excel capability across standard formulas.

Additional Information

As part of our drive to make, The Pallet Network a great place to work. We are proud to be an inclusive and diverse organisation where we are committed to employee development and recognising success for hard working performers. Our dedicated learning and development programmes are open to every employee to give you the opportunity to shape your own future within logistics and continue to work in an environment where team culture thrives. Our People are the driving force behind our success, which is why we offer a wide range of benefits which include:

• Annual Leave - 28 days inclusive of bank holidays.
• Pension scheme - 5% employee and 3% employer.
• Life Assurance - x2 your annual salary
• Wellness – Via our Employee Assistance Programme we offer immediate access to a confidential telephone counselling and legal information service that operates 24 hours a days, 365 days a year.
• Eye Care Vouchers – We can provide you with substantial savings with free eye tests and discounts on prescription glasses.
• Reward & Recognition – We recognise that employees have gone the extra mile via Employee of the month and year, special recognition and long service awards.
• Everyday discounts - via our benefit platform you will have access to over 50 retailer discounts for everyday savings!