Yard Planner - Advance Planning

DP World; Jeddah; On-site; SAR 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

DP World Jeddah is looking for an experienced Advanced Yard Planner to join our Planning team. The Advanced Yard Planner develops forward-looking yard plans, capacity forecasts and optimization recommendations to align yard strategy with vessel schedules, gate demand, inventory and equipment capability.

The role improves planning parameters and allocation strategies, anticipates congestion, reduces re-handles and supports data-driven continuous improvement across terminal operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Maritime Studies, Engineering or related field.
• 4+ years in container terminal operations with yard planning/terminal planning experience.
• Strong knowledge of TOS and planning systems (Zodiac/EasyTOS or similar).
• Understanding of yard layout, capacity management and cargo segregation.
• Ability to analyze vessel volumes, dwell time, gate forecasts and capacity.

Responsibilities

• Prepare forward-looking yard plans for vessels within 24–72 hours.
• Develop allocation strategies for import/export and special cargo.
• Forecast yard utilization and identify risks; propose mitigations.
• Coordinate with Vessel Planners to align plans with schedules and stowage.
• Test and improve automated and manual planning processes with IT/TOS teams.
• Provide clear analysis of capacity risks, plan deviations and outcomes.

Skills

Yard planning

Forecasting & analysis

Stakeholder coordination

English communication

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Logistics or related field

Tools

Zodiac

EasyTOS

Excel

Job description

DP World Jeddah is looking for an experienced Advanced Yard Planner to join our Planning team.

The Advanced Yard Planner develops forward-looking yard plans, capacity forecasts and optimization recommendations to align yard strategy with vessel schedules, gate demand, inventory and equipment capability. The role improves planning parameters and allocation strategies, anticipates congestion, reduces re-handles and supports data-driven continuous improvement across terminal operations.

Qualifications and Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Maritime Studies, Engineering, Industrial Engineering or a related field.
• Experience: 4+ years in container terminal operations, including substantial experience in yard planning, terminal planning or operational optimization.
• TOS and planning systems: Strong practical knowledge of a TOS, preferably Zodiac, EasyTOS or a comparable system, including allocation rules, planning parameters, filters and automated planning workflows.
• Yard strategy: Strong understanding of yard layout, block profiles, capacity management, stacking strategies, equipment constraints and cargo segregation, including reefer, OOG and IMDG requirements.
• Forecasting and analysis: Ability to analyze vessel volumes, inventory, dwell time, gate forecasts, utilization and re-handle data to forecast capacity and identify operational risks.
• Optimization and problem-solving: Able to investigate root causes, develop scenarios, evaluate trade-offs and recommend changes that improve space utilization and reduce unproductive moves.
• Systems and reporting: Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookup functions, charts and structured reporting; experience with dashboards or data-analysis tools is an advantage.
• Project and stakeholder coordination: Able to work with Yard Strategists, Vessel Planners, Operations, IT/TOS and management on system testing, parameter changes and improvement initiatives.
• Communication and ownership: Strong written and verbal English, analytical thinking, attention to detail, sound judgment and accountability; Arabic is an advantage.
• Work environment: Willing to work shifts or general hours, including weekends and public holidays when required, in accordance with company policy and applicable labor laws.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare forward-looking yard plans for vessels expected within the next 24–72 hours and maintain a rolling view of upcoming vessel volumes, gate demand, inventory and available capacity.
• Develop allocation strategies for import, export, transshipment, empty, reefer, IMDG, OOG and special cargo, ensuring compliance with approved yard strategy, segregation requirements and SOPs.
• Forecast yard utilization, block occupancy, stacking density and capacity pressure by block and time period; identify risks early and propose mitigation plans before capacity constraints affect operations.
• Coordinate with Vessel Planners to align yard plans with vessel schedules, stowage and loading sequences, POD, container size, weight class and cargo-specific requirements.
• Design and refine allocation approaches across RTG/AeRTG/ECH and other applicable blocks, balancing capacity, equipment capability, workload, accessibility and expected cargo flows.
• Analyze re-handle ratios, housekeeping moves, mixed stacks, dwell time, gate demand and yard-related vessel delays to identify root causes and develop measurable improvement actions.
• Review yard planning filters, groups, ranges, stacking rules and TOS parameters; work with the Yard Strategist and IT/TOS teams to test and improve automated and manual planning processes.
• Develop planning scenarios for peak volumes, high yard utilization, empty-container surges, equipment constraints and changes to vessel schedules; recommend practical contingency plans.
• Establish and maintain planning reports, forecasts and dashboards to support decisions on yard capacity, cargo allocation, reefer plug requirements and operational performance.
• Review long-staying containers, overstays and empty inventory trends with relevant teams and shipping lines; assess their impact on future capacity and recommend actions.
• Define and communicate yard planning standards, allocation principles and handover requirements; support knowledge sharing and consistent planning practices across shifts.
• Support TOS upgrades, user acceptance testing, planning-system enhancements and continuous improvement projects; document requirements, test outcomes and recommended changes.
• Provide the supervisor and management with clear analysis of capacity risks, plan deviations, root causes, proposed actions and expected operational benefits.