Barge Planner

Samskip; Rotterdam; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday allowance 8.33%

13th month bonus

28 vacation days per year

Job summary

Samskip is seeking a Barge Planner to coordinate inland barge transport across the Netherlands and Germany. You will prepare and optimize daily transport plans, allocate voyages and ensure timely execution of commitments in a dynamic European logistics network.

With MBO level 4 or a Bachelor degree and experience in transport planning, you will communicate with terminals, operators and customer service to manage delays and disruptions and continuously improve planning processes.

Qualifications

• MBO level 4 or Bachelor degree or equivalent.
• Experience in transport planning, logistics operations or multimodal transport.
• Stress-resistant, solution-oriented with quick response to disruptions.
• Accurate and structured with attention to detail in planning and updates.
• Knowledge of inland barge operations is an advantage.
• Fluent English; other European languages are an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, coordinate and optimize daily barge transport plans and voyage allocations.
• Determine the most appropriate barge routing while balancing customer requirements, transit times, operational feasibility and capacity utilization.
• Monitor barge departures, arrivals and voyage progress and respond proactively to delays, disruptions or schedule changes.
• Coordinate closely with terminals, barge operators, trucking teams and customer service departments.
• Ensure all transport documentation and planning information is accurate and available on time.
• Communicate operational deviations and expected delays to relevant stakeholders.
• Act as the main coordination point between planning and customer service during daily operations.
• Inform Customer Service proactively of delays, changes or incidents impacting customer commitments.
• Identify bottlenecks, capacity constraints and operational risks at an early stage.
• Resolve day-to-day operational issues by identifying practical solutions and escalating where required.
• Monitor planning execution and implement corrective actions when required.
• Support efficient end-to-end transport flows between inland terminals and seaports.
• Contribute to improvements in planning processes, service levels and capacity utilization.
• Support implementation of new systems, tools and operational initiatives.
• Analyze operational performance and identify opportunities to improve reliability and efficiency.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Stakeholder management

Education

MBO level 4 or Bachelor degree

Job description

Samskip is a truly international company that innovates the most advanced sustainable and multimodal international transport solutions. With a turnover of more than 800 million euros, 1,450 employees and offices in 24 countries across Europe, North America, Asia and Australia, we are one of the largest transport companies in Europe.

Within this structure, Samskip has shaped a comprehensive European network for short‑sea, road, railrail, and inland waterway transport. This network provides pioneering sustainable, reliable and cost-effective options for the growing number of customers who demand more environmentally conscious logistics solutions.

The Barge Planner is responsible for planning, coordinating and monitoring inland barge transport activities across the Netherlands and Germany. The role ensures efficient utilization of barge capacity, reliable execution of customer commitments and smooth coordination between terminals, operators, customer service teams and internal operational stakeholders.

Requirements

• MBO level 4 or Bachelor degree or equivalent working and thinking level.
• Experience in transport planning, logistics operations or multimodal transport.
• Stress-resistant and solution-oriented, with the ability to respond quickly and practically to operational changes, delays or disruptions.
• Accurate and structured way of working, with attention to detail in planning, documentation, system updates and container transport instructions.
• Knowledge of inland barge operations is an advantage.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Good communication skills and stakeholder management abilities.
• Fluent English, other European languages are an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, coordinate and optimize daily barge transport plans and voyage allocations.
• Determine the most appropriate barge routing while balancing customer requirements, transit times, operational feasibility and capacity utilization.
• Monitor barge departures, arrivals and voyage progress and respond proactively to delays, disruptions or schedule changes.
• Coordinate closely with terminals, barge operators, trucking teams and customer service departments.
• Ensure all transport documentation and planning information is accurate and available on time.
• Communicate operational deviations and expected delays to relevant stakeholders.

Coordination & Communication

• Act as the main coordination point between planning and customer service during daily operations.
• Inform Customer Service proactively of delays, changes or incidents impacting customer commitments.

Operational Coordination & Monitoring

• Identify bottlenecks, capacity constraints and operational risks at an early stage.
• Resolve day-to-day operational issues by identifying practical solutions and escalating where required.
• Monitor planning execution and implement corrective actions when required.
• Support efficient end-to-end transport flows between inland terminals and seaports.
• Contribute to improvements in planning processes, service levels and capacity utilization.
• Support implementation of new systems, tools and operational initiatives.
• Analyze operational performance and identify opportunities to improve reliability and efficiency.

What we offer

• 8.33% holiday allowance and an annual 13th month bonus.
• 28 vacation days per year to recharge.
• Travel and internet allowances.
• Opportunity to work in a dynamic and international environment.
• Professional development and career growth opportunities.
• A supportive and inclusive work culture.