Senior Transport Planner

Placements24; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid & retirement fund

Annual leave and holidays

Professional development opportunities

Access to sophisticated transport-plng

Career progression within supply chain

Job summary

Placements24 is recruiting a Senior Transport Planner for their Pretoria operation. The role focuses on developing strategic transport plans, optimizing routes, and coordinating with external providers to ensure timely deliveries across South Africa.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in transport planning, strong analytical skills, proficiency in Excel, and experience with transport planning software. A relevant degree and SA logistics knowledge are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in transport planning, logistics, or supply chain management.
• Proven expertise in route optimization software and transportation modeling techniques.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and make data‑driven decisions.
• Excellent understanding of transport modes, logistics networks, and South African road infrastructure.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other planning tools.
• Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Operations Research, or a related field.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
• Familiarity with TMS is a strong advantage.
• Must reside in or understand Pretoria, Gauteng logistics environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic transport plans to optimize delivery routes, schedules, and vehicle utilization.
• Analyze transportation data to identify cost savings and improve operational efficiency.
• Use transport planning software and modeling tools for route optimization and network design.
• Coordinate daily transport activities including dispatching, load building, and delivery confirmation.
• Manage relationships with external transport providers, negotiating rates and ensuring SLAs are met.
• Monitor transport performance against key metrics such as on-time delivery and cost per mile.
• Collaborate with warehouse and inventory teams to ensure efficient inbound/outbound logistics.
• Ensure compliance with transport regulations including driver hours and vehicle safety.
• Develop contingency plans for disruptions such as traffic or weather.
• Provide regular reports on transport operations to senior management.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Data‑driven decisions

Communication

Negotiation skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Logistics or related field

Tools

Excel

Transport planning software

TMS (Transportation Management Systems)

Routing & network design software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major national retail chain with an extensive distribution network, is looking for a highly analytical and strategic Senior Transport Planner to join their supply chain division in Pretoria, Gauteng . This role is essential for optimizing the movement of goods across the country, ensuring timely deliveries to stores and customers while minimizing transportation costs. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing complex delivery schedules, route planning, load optimization, and coordinating with transport providers. You will leverage advanced planning software and data analysis to identify efficiencies and implement improvements. This position requires a thorough understanding of transport economics, network design, and the various modes of transport used in South Africa. The Senior Transport Planner will collaborate closely with warehouse operations, procurement, and sales teams to align transport strategies with business needs. This is a key role within the Driving & Transport sector, offering significant impact and growth opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic transport plans to optimize delivery routes, schedules, and vehicle utilization.
• Analyze transportation data to identify cost‑saving opportunities and improve operational efficiency.
• Utilize advanced transport planning software and modeling tools for route optimization and network design.
• Coordinate daily transportation activities, including dispatching, load building, and delivery confirmation.
• Manage relationships with external transport providers, negotiating rates and ensuring service level agreements are met.
• Monitor transport performance against key metrics (e.g., on-time delivery, cost per mile, fuel efficiency).
• Collaborate with warehouse and inventory teams to ensure efficient inbound and outbound logistics.
• Ensure compliance with all transportation regulations, including driver hours of service and vehicle safety standards.
• Develop contingency plans to address unforeseen disruptions such as traffic, weather, or vehicle breakdowns.
• Provide regular reports on transport operations performance to senior management.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in transport planning, logistics, or supply chain management.
• Proven expertise in route optimization software and transportation modeling techniques.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and make data‑driven decisions.
• Excellent understanding of transport modes, logistics networks, and South African road infrastructure.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other relevant planning tools.
• Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Operations Research, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
• Familiarity with TMS (Transportation Management Systems) is a strong advantage.
• Must reside in or have a deep understanding of the logistics environment in Pretoria, Gauteng.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package with annual performance reviews.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund.
• Generous annual leave and company holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.
• Access to sophisticated transport planning software and tools.
• A collaborative and growth‑oriented work environment.
• Company contribution to relevant professional memberships.
• Potential for career progression within the wider supply chain team.
• Employee discount programs on company products.
• Accessible office location in Pretoria, Gauteng .