Transport Planning Manager

Bennett & Game Recruitment Ltd; Leeds; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Job summary

Bennet & Game Recruitment Ltd is seeking an experienced Transport Planning Manager to lead a busy planning desk in Leeds. The role combines hands-on day-to-day transport planning with team leadership, workload coordination and performance oversight to drive efficiency and profitability.

The successful candidate will own the planning operation, supervise the team, and make operational decisions while maintaining strong client and internal stakeholder communication.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in transport planning, ideally at Senior Transport Planner or Planning Supervisor level.
• Strong knowledge of transport operations, route planning and fleet utilisation.
• Hands-on approach with ability to supervise others while remaining active on the planning desk.
• Confident in taking ownership of operational decisions and supporting the wider team.
• Commercial awareness of how planning decisions affect costs and profitability.
• Excellent 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

Team leadership

Route optimisation

Fleet utilisation

Commercial awareness

Communication

Problem solving

Job description

Transport Planning Manager (BJ48067) Leeds, England

Salary: GBP40000 - GBP50000 per annum

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.