Transport Planner

Clarence High School; Nursling; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A respected family-owned transport company in Southampton is seeking an experienced Transport Planner to coordinate daily delivery and collection of full loads, groupage, and container movements across the UK. The successful candidate will need strong geographical knowledge, previous transport planning experience, and excellent communication skills to ensure compliance and efficiency. This role offers competitive pay and a supportive team environment.

Benefits

Competitive pay

Supportive team environment

Opportunities for progression

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a transport planning or back-office transport role.
• Strong geographical knowledge of the UK.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan and route deliveries for full loads, groupage, and container traffic.
• Ensure compliance with transport regulations and WTD.
• Manage driver hours and fleet utilisation.

Skills

Transport planning experience

Geographical knowledge of the UK

Planning container/groupage loads

Excellent communication skills

Good IT skills

Team ethic

Education

CPC qualification (advantageous)

Tools

Transport Management System (TMS)

Job description

We are seeking an Experienced Traffic Operator to join our professional operations team in Southampton, supporting our general haulage, container and groupage operations across the UK. This is an excellent opportunity to become part of a respected, family-owned business with a strong reputation in the transport industry.

As a Transport Planner, you will be responsible for coordinating and managing the daily delivery and collection of full loads, groupage and container movements across the UK. You will ensure the efficient and compliant operation of our fleet, working closely with drivers, customers and colleagues in a busy transport office environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and route deliveries and collections for full loads, groupage, and container traffic across the UK
• Ensure compliance with all road transport legislation and the Working Time Directive (WTD)
• Liaise effectively with drivers and customers to maintain excellent service standards
• Complete all administrative tasks accurately and on time
• Manage driver hours, trailer rotation, and general fleet utilisation
• Plan and monitor container movements, including VBS bookings and port collections
• Use a computerised Transport Management System (TMS) and associated tools to manage daily operations
• Support the wider operations team to ensure efficiency and service excellence

About You

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Previous experience in a transport planning or back-office transport role
• Strong geographical knowledge of the UK
• Experience in planning container or groupage loads
• Knowledge of the VBS booking system and Container Exec preferred
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Proven ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Good IT skills, including experience using TMS software
• A strong team ethic and a proactive, problem-solving approach

Desirable

• CPC qualification (not essential but advantageous)

Hours & Benefits

• Hours: Rotational shifts between 06:00 and 18:00
• Weekend Work: 1 in 4 Saturday/Sunday mornings (additional payment provided)
• Benefits: Competitive pay, supportive team environment, and opportunities for progression