UK & EU Transport and Planning Manager

Pineapple Contracts; Aylesford; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading furniture solutions company in Aylesford is seeking a UK & EU Transport and Planning Manager to oversee operations. The role involves ensuring compliance with legislation, optimizing transport routes, and managing delivery teams. The ideal candidate has experience in transport operations and people management. Join a reputable firm that values quality and customer care, and be part of a team dedicated to sustainability and innovation.

Benefits

Competitive pay

Pension scheme

Healthcare Cash Plan

23 days annual leave + bank holidays

Extra leave for birthdays

Employee referral bonus scheme

Free fruit and snacks

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Transport or Planning Manager across UK and EU.
• Good understanding of UK transport legislation.
• Experience in managing transport operations and delivery scheduling.
• Confident in performance management and employee appraisals.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of Picking and Delivery teams.
• Ensure compliance with transport legislation and safety requirements.
• Plan and optimize transport routes for efficiency.
• Collaborate with the Head of Operations for workload management.

Skills

Transport operations management

Route planning

Compliance with transport legislation

People management

Customer service

Proactive communication

IT skills (Microsoft Office)

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Tools

MRP/ERP Software

Job description

Job description

JOB TITLE: UK & EU Transport and Planning Manager

LOCATION: Aylesford, Kent

WORKING HOURS: 7am - 4.30pm

A bit about the role..

We are looking for a Transport and Planning Manager to oversee the daily operations of our picking and delivery teams. Working alongside the Fleet Supervisor, you will ensure compliance with heavy vehicle legislation while leading and supporting your team.

You will assist the Head of Operations with workload planning, team cover during absences, and performance appraisals, while ensuring a consistently high standard of customer experience and presentation.

Some of your key responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day operation of the Picking and Delivery teams, ensuring efficient transport planning and execution.
• Lead, manage, and support the Transport and Planning teams, providing guidance, training, and development for junior team members.
• Plan and optimise transport routes and schedules to meet customer delivery requirements while controlling costs.
• Proactively communicate and mitigate potential freight or transport issues that may impact lead times or customer service.
• Work closely with the Head of Operations to balance workloads, manage team cover due to absence, and support appraisals and performance reviews.
• Ensure compliance with all transport legislation, health & safety requirements, and company policies.
• Maintain exceptional customer experience standards across all transport operations, including driver presentation and communication.
• Use MRP and transport systems to manage transport pricing, analyse performance data, and support forecasting and future planning.
• Monitor and control transport costs, identifying opportunities for efficiency and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with the wider Operations team to review and improve picking, checking, loading, and quality control procedures.
• Drive a culture of accuracy and accountability, striving for zero errors across all transport and warehouse operations.
• Undertake additional duties as required to support business objectives.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Transport or Planning Manager role across UK and EU operations.
• Experience managing transport operations, route planning and delivery scheduling.
• Good understanding of UK transport legislation, including driver hours, tachographs, and health & safety requirements
• Experience ensuring compliance with fleet, vehicle, and driver standards.
• Knowledge of risk assessments, accident reporting, and continuous safety improvement.
• Excellent IT skills with competent use of Microsoft Office (mainly Outlook and Excel).
• Previous use of MRP/ERP software very useful.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment would be very beneficial but not essential.
• Confident people manager with experience in performance management, appraisals, and absence management
• The ability to delegate work in order to respond to daily queries within the business.
• Proven Customer Service skills.
• Commercially minded – able to strike the right balance between necessity and cost to the company.
• Excellent at multi-tasking in a deadline driven environment.
• Organised, pro-active and forward-thinking.
• There is an opportunity for paid overtime.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• You embody our company people values:
• Teamwork - Collaborate effectively with humility, appreciating and integrating individual skills and perspectives to achieve collective goals.
• Committed - Dedicate yourself fully to your role, going above and beyond with self-motivation and loyalty to achieve individual, team, and company goals.
• Ownership - Take full responsibility for your work, performance, and conduct, acting with integrity, staying organised, and learning from feedback and mistakes.
• Positive - Approach tasks with optimism and innovation, viewing challenges as opportunities, and bringing energy and enthusiasm to inspire and motivate others.
• Responsive - React quickly and effectively to needs and feedback, prioritising tasks with urgency, embracing change, and maintaining a proactive approach.

Why work for us

Pineapple is a leader in designing and manufacturing innovative furniture solutions for challenging environments. A family run company started in 1975, Pineapple is now a global business with headquarters in Kent (UK) and offices in France, Germany and the USA.

Pineapple still runs by its original ethos of creating mindfully designed furniture that not only works effortlessly and looks great but also helps foster a calm and supportive environment. Join Pineapple and be part of a team that is dedicated to making a difference through quality, innovation, sustainability and exceptional customer care.

Benefits

• We were proudly featured in The Sunday Times as one of the Best Places to Work 2024 & 2025
• Competitive pay
• Pension scheme
• A Healthcare Cash Plan – You can claim for medical expenses, dental or optical services, as well as access to 100s of deals and discounts
• 23 days annual leave + UK bank holidays
• An extra day’s leave for your birthday
• All new starters, we'll plant a tree in your honour. We currently have trees planted in the UK, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and Madagascar
• Sustainability-focused – We’re committed to reducing our environmental impact through low carbon operations, renewable energy, and recycled materials
• Regular team socials and events, including summer and Christmas parties. As well as football and netball teams, and other ad hoc events
• Monthly pizza Friday
• Enjoy free fruit, snacks, hot drinks, and cold beverages
• Employee referrals bonus scheme
• Access to our Learning & Development platform, offering a wide range of online courses, certifications, and professional development tools to support your career growth and skill enhancement
• High-quality office environment
• Free onsite parking / within walking distance from the train station

We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons.