Transport Planner

DFDS UK & Ireland; Immingham; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life assurance cover

Contributory pension scheme

Holiday Purchase Scheme

Free ferry travel for up to 4 guests

Employee assistance programme

Wellbeing platform access

Mental health first aid and webinars

Job summary

DFDS UK & Ireland is seeking a Transport Planner to coordinate daily trailer movements to and from ports across the UK and Europe. You will liaise with DFDS drivers, subcontractors, and customers to keep freight moving efficiently.

The role requires experience in ferry operations or logistics, a good grasp of sailing schedules and drivers' hours rules, and strong Excel/TMS skills. A CPC is advantageous. This is a full-time, UK-based on-site position with opportunities for growth.

Qualifications

• Experience in transport planning, ferry operations, or logistics environments.
• Good understanding of port operations, sailing schedules, and drivers' hours regulations.
• Proficient with Transport Management Systems (TMS) and Excel.
• Strong decision making under pressure with ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate trailer movements, collections and deliveries with DFDS drivers and subcontractors.
• Match trailers to ferry sailings and ensure timely pickups/deliveries.
• Manage transport activity and track shipments using the TMS and keep records up to date.
• Communicate with customers, drivers, subcontractors, and DFDS teams across the UK and Europe.
• Respond to delays or disruptions by re-planning activities quickly.
• Work with the planning team to maximise utilisation and reduce empty running.
• Ensure transport records and billing data are accurate and complete.

Skills

Planning & coordination

TMS experience

Customer communication

Decision making under pressure

European logistics understanding

Education

CPC qualification

Tools

TMS

Excel

MS Office

Job description

Do you want to be a valued part of the critical infrastructure that keeps freight moving across the UK and Europe? Are you an organised problem-solver who thrives in a fast paced environment and enjoys making quick decisions to keep operations running smoothly? If so, you could be the newest addition to our team as a Transport Planner.

Be part of the movement - and play your part.

About the role

Working Monday to Friday, 07:00-17:00, you'll be responsible for planning and managing the daily movement of ferry trailers in and out of port, working closely with multiple DFDS business units across the UK and Europe. You'll play a key role in ensuring freight moves efficiently, customers are kept informed, and operational challenges are resolved quickly.

You will be responsible for:

• Planning and coordinating trailer movements, collections, and deliveries using both DFDS drivers and subcontractors
• Matching trailers to ferry sailings and ensuring units are collected and delivered in line with operational requirements
• Managing transport activity through the TMS, maintaining accurate records and tracking shipments throughout their journey
• Communicating with customers, drivers, subcontractors, and DFDS teams across the UK and Europe
• Responding to ferry delays, cancellations, and other operational disruptions by quickly re-planning activity
• Working with the wider planning team to maximise utilisation, identify reload opportunities, and reduce empty running
• Ensuring all transport records and job information are accurate and complete for operational and billing purposes

About you

You'll ideally have experience in a transport planning role, particularly within ferry operations, unaccompanied trailer movements, shipping, or logistics environments. A good understanding of port operations, sailing schedules, drivers' hours legislation, and working time regulations is essential, along with confidence using Transport Management Systems (TMS) and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.

You'll be highly organised, able to make sound decisions under pressure, and comfortable managing multiple priorities simultaneously. Strong communication skills are essential, as you'll regularly liaise with drivers, subcontractors, customers, and colleagues across the UK and Europe. A CPC qualification and experience working with European logistics operations would be advantageous but are not essential.

We think the strongest teams are built on diversity and inclusivity. Contrasting opinions, varied skills and strong characters bring out the best in us all. And we cannot wait for you to join.

Working at DFDS

Join the movement and grow with us.

Now about what we can give you. You’ll be able to access some fantastic benefits such as:

• Life assurance cover
• Contributory company pension scheme
• Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Free ferry travel for up to 4 guests between Dover and Calais / Newcastle and Amsterdam with no limit on trips
• Full employee assistance programme including:
• Proactive financial, emotional, mental, and physical health care support including face to face counselling, fast 24/7 access to a GP, a second medical opinion and legal support for colleagues and their family.
• Huge range of retail discounts from high street and online retailers
• Cashback on health care including dental, optical, physiotherapy, prescriptions, specialist consultations and much more.
• Access to myStrength, our Wellbeing platform, which has plenty of content to support and improve your mental wellness needs.
• Access to mental health first aid and opportunity to join support webinars with a focus on all areas of positive wellbeing.

While you’re with us, we want you to develop. At DFDS, we believe that development happens first and foremost through activities in the workplace. We will also offer training courses that can support you in your role, if needed.

We look forward to hearing from you.

This recruitment process is managed by the DFDS Talent Acquisition team.