Transport Planner - Nights

Top Talent Recruit; Stanford-le-Hope; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Top Talent Recruit is hiring a Traffic Operator in the UK haulage sector, with night shifts 8pm-6am. You will manage day-to-day container transport operations, plan routes, lead drivers, ensure legal compliance, and monitor KPIs to drive efficiency and cost control.

The role requires strong planning, communication, and TMS proficiency, with oversight of containers to ports and customer sites, plus driving continuous improvement in transport functions.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Transport Manager in container haulage or similar.
• Strong knowledge of UK transport legislation and compliance requirements.
• Experience leading and coaching drivers and transport teams.

Responsibilities

• Plan, schedule, and execute deliveries and collections.
• Oversee container movements to ports, depots and customer sites.
• Lead drivers and staff, with performance management.
• Ensure compliance with O-licence, drivers' hours, WTD and tachographs.
• Liaise with ports, shipping lines and customers to resolve issues.
• Monitor transport costs and drive efficiency improvements.
• Handle operational issues and customer complaints with corrective actions.
• Produce and analyse transport KPIs and performance data.
• Support continuous improvement within transport.

Skills

Transport planning

Driver management

UK transport compliance

TMS proficiency

Tools

TMS

Job description

Our client, a haulage company is looking for a Traffic Operator to join their office.

Nights 8pm-6am

Key Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day container transport operations, including planning, scheduling, and execution of deliveries and collections.
• Oversee container movements to and from ports, depots, and customer sites, ensuring optimal vehicle utilisation.
• Lead, manage, and motivate drivers and transport staff, including performance management and training.
• Ensure full compliance with transport legislation, including O-licence requirements, drivers' hours, Working Time Directive, and tachograph regulations.
• Liaise with ports, shipping lines, container depots, and customers to ensure smooth operations and resolve issues promptly.
• Monitor and control transport costs, identifying opportunities for efficiency savings and improved performance.
• Manage subcontractors where required, ensuring compliance with company and legal standards.
• Ensure all vehicles are maintained in line with legal and company requirements, working closely with maintenance providers.
• Handle operational issues such as delays, damages, incidents, and customer complaints, implementing corrective actions.
• Produce and analyse transport KPIs, reports, and performance data.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the transport function.

Container-Specific Responsibilities

• Strong understanding of container types, weights, VGM requirements, and port booking systems.
• Experience managing demurrage, detention, and quay rent, with a focus on cost control.
• Knowledge of port procedures, turnaround times, and operational constraints.
• Coordination of container collections and returns to minimise delays and additional charges.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Promote a strong health and safety culture across the transport operation.
• Ensure all risk assessments, driver inductions, and toolbox talks are completed and up to date.
• Investigate accidents and incidents, implementing preventative measures.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Proven experience as a Transport Manager within container haulage or a container-focused logistics environment.
• Strong working knowledge of UK transport legislation and compliance requirements.
• Experience managing drivers and transport teams.
• Excellent planning, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to liaise at all levels.
• IT literate, with experience using transport management systems (TMS)