Transport Planning Apprentice

DHL Germany; Stoke-on-Trent; On-site; Confidential; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Pension scheme

Medical cover

Retail discounts

Mental health support

Private GP services

Job summary

DHL Supply Chain is offering a Transport Planning Apprentice role in the UK, where you will learn to plan transport operations, analyse data, and coordinate deliveries to 194 stores and 77 supplier locations across the UK and Ireland. The programme provides real transport planning exposure and a Level 3 Supply Chain Practitioner Apprenticeship.

You will work in a fast-paced environment, supporting continuous improvement while learning how DHL manages nationwide transport and network

Responsibilities

• Support transport planning activities to maximise vehicle utilisation and meet service targets across the network.
• Use systems such as CTMS, CFX and Paragon to allocate work and support planning deadlines.
• Gather and analyse operational data to inform planning decisions and drive continuous improvement.
• Act as a key contact for customers, transport sites, suppliers and delivery locations to improve service and efficiency.
• Follow SOPs and planning processes while developing commercial awareness of cost management.

Job description

START DATE: NOVEMBER 2026

Are you a motivated, organised individual looking for an exciting opportunity in a fast-paced environment? Do you want to earn while you learn? If you're ready for a new challenge, we'd love to hear from you.

Who are DHL Supply Chain?

Founded in 1969, DHL is the world's leading logistics company. With 395,000 colleagues across more than 220 countries and territories, we help customers cross borders, reach new markets and grow their businesses. As part of DHL Group, DHL Supply Chain offers excellent opportunities to develop and build your career.

If this sounds like the team for you, keep reading.

About the Role

As a Transport Planning Apprentice, you will support the Transport Planning team in delivering efficient, cost-effective and customer-focused transport solutions across the network. You will learn how to plan transport operations, analyse data, work with customers and operational sites, and support continuous improvement while completing your apprenticeship qualification.

You will help support Dunelm's nationwide transport operation, planning and coordinating deliveries to 194 stores and 77 supplier locations across the UK and Ireland. Working within a network that moves around 15,000 pallets each week, you will help create day-one-for-day-three transport plans to ensure efficient and reliable deliveries from key distribution centres in Stoke and Leicester. With DHL managing Dunelm's transport and logistics operations for over a decade, this is a valuable opportunity to gain experience in a large-scale, fast-paced supply chain environment.

Key Responsibilities will be:

• Support transport planning activities to maximise vehicle utilisation, meet service targets and deliver plans effectively across the network.
• Use systems such as CTMS, CFX and Paragon to allocate work, support planning deadlines and assist with operational reviews.
• Gather and analyse operational data to support planning decisions, excess work allocation and customer-focused initiatives.
• Act as a key contact for customers, transport sites, suppliers and delivery locations, building strong relationships to improve service and efficiency.
• Support continuous improvement projects, change initiatives and best practice to enhance service and operational performance.
• Follow SOPs, Work Instructions and planning processes while developing commercial awareness of cost management and network profitability.

What qualification will you gain?

You will complete the Level 3 Supply Chain Practitioner Apprenticeship, gaining the knowledge and skills needed to build confidence and specialise in logistics transport planning.

• Understand end-to-end supply chain operations, including transport planning, forecasting and customer demand.
• Use transport planning systems and data/KPI reports to schedule work and support operational decision-making.
• Build communication and stakeholder management skills with customers, suppliers and operational teams.
• Develop problem-solving and decision-making skills in a fast-paced logistics environment.
• Understand compliance, health and safety requirements, SOPs and operational procedures.
• Apply continuous improvement techniques while developing commercial awareness of cost, service and profitability impacts.

Benefits

• You will receive access to a range of benefits, including 25 days' holiday, pension scheme, medical cover, retail discounts, mental health support and private GP services.

Networks

• At DHL, we want everyone to feel they belong and can be their true selves at work. Our UKI inclusion networks focus on ability, ethnic and national origin, religion, gender, LGBTQ+ and generations, with a commitment to educating, supporting and celebrating diversity.

Future prospects

• You will have the opportunity to build your career, contribute ideas that support business success and join our alumni community after the programme for continued development. Further internal or apprenticeship development opportunities may also be available.