Transport Planning Manager

Bennett & Game Recruitment Ltd.; Leeds; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Bennett & Game Recruitment Ltd. is seeking a Transport Planning Manager in Leeds. The role combines hands-on transport planning with leading and developing the planning team to improve fleet utilisation and profitability.

You will own day-to-day planning, optimise routes, manage workloads, and ensure compliance with drivers' hours and transport legislation while driving efficiency and service levels.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in transport planning at Senior Transport Planner or Planning Supervisor level.
• Strong knowledge of transport operations, route planning and fleet utilisation.
• Experience within palletised distribution, pallet networks or general haulage.
• Hands-on approach, remaining actively involved at the planning desk while supervising others.
• Ability to take ownership of operational decisions and support the wider team.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of planning impact on costs and profitability.
• Strong communication, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Desire to progress into a management position with greater responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the day‑to‑day transport planning operation, remaining hands‑on with planning activities.
• Lead, supervise and support the planning team, coordinating workloads and maintaining high standards.
• Plan and optimise vehicle routes, deliveries and collections to maximise fleet utilisation and operational efficiency.
• Manage changing priorities, delays and operational issues, ensuring problems are resolved efficiently.
• Ensure vehicles, drivers and resources are allocated effectively to meet customer requirements.
• Monitor transport performance, productivity and operating costs, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability.
• Maintain effective communication with drivers, customers, colleagues and other departments.
• Ensure compliance with drivers' hours, working time regulations and relevant transport legislation.
• Encourage accountability, consistency and continuous improvement across the planning team.

Skills

Transport planning

Leadership

Route optimization

Communication

Problem solving

Commercial awareness

Organisational skills

Team supervision

Job description

Position: Transport Planning Manager

Location: Leeds

Salary: Up to £50,000 (depending on experience), plus bonus

Our client is looking for an experienced Senior Transport Planner or Planning Supervisor ready to take the next step into a Transport Planning Manager role. This is a hands‑on position, combining day‑to‑day transport planning with leading, supervising and supporting the wider planning team. The successful candidate will take ownership of the planning operation, helping to coordinate workloads, make operational decisions and drive efficiency, fleet utilisation and profitability. The role would suit someone who enjoys being actively involved in the planning desk while taking on greater responsibility for team leadership and performance.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the day‑to‑day transport planning operation, remaining hands‑on with planning activities.
• Lead, supervise and support the planning team, coordinating workloads and maintaining high standards.
• Plan and optimise vehicle routes, deliveries and collections to maximise fleet utilisation and operational efficiency.
• Manage changing priorities, delays and operational issues, ensuring problems are resolved efficiently.
• Ensure vehicles, drivers and resources are allocated effectively to meet customer requirements.
• Monitor transport performance, productivity and operating costs, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability.
• Maintain effective communication with drivers, customers, colleagues and other departments.
• Ensure compliance with drivers' hours, working time regulations and relevant transport legislation.
• Encourage accountability, consistency and continuous improvement across the planning team.

Requirements

• Proven experience in transport planning, ideally at Senior Transport Planner or Planning Supervisor level.
• Strong knowledge of transport operations, route planning and fleet utilisation.
• Experience within palletised distribution, pallet networks or general haulage.
• A hands‑on approach, with the ability to remain actively involved in the planning desk while supervising others.
• The confidence to take ownership of operational decisions and support the wider team.
• Commercial awareness, with an understanding of the impact of planning decisions on costs and profitability.
• Strong communication, organisational and problem‑solving skills.
• A desire to progress into a management position and take on greater responsibility for the planning operation.

Salary & Benefits

• Salary up to £50,000, depending on experience.
• Additional bonus based on profitability and individual merit.
• Monday to Friday, 9-hour shifts scheduled between 06:00 and 18:00.
• One in three weekend cover.