Transport Planner

Vector Logistics; Durban; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Vector Logistics is a Durban-based transport and logistics partner providing a fully integrated, multi-temperature network across Southern Africa. The role focuses on developing daily transport plans to optimise fleet utilisation, balance service delivery with efficiency, and support vehicle tracking to meet customer requirements.

As Transport Planner, you will monitor plan vs actual performance, lead planning activities, and collaborate with depots, sales and customers to ensure high service

Qualifications

• 3-year Degree in Logistics, Industrial Engineering, or Management.
• Honours Degree advantageous.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in FMCG or transport operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop daily route plans to optimise productivity and service delivery.
• Review fleet availability and align orders with capacity; prioritise owned fleet.
• Monitor plan vs actual performance and identify variances for corrective action.
• Expedite daily operations and communicate risks/delays to stakeholders.
• Lead a team and manage attendance, labour compliance and performance.
• Generate daily/monthly reports on fleet utilisation, service levels and profitability.

Skills

Transport planning principles

FMCG logistics

Customer operations

Telemetry / vehicle tracking

Master data management

Transport KPIs

Financial interpretation of operat 𝘪𝘰

Education

3-year Degree in Logistics, Industrial Engineering, or Management

Honours Degree (advantageous)

Job description

Overview

We are a Supply Chain and Sales & Merchandising partner adding value to your business through a fully integrated, temperature-controlled network in Southern Africa.

Permanent

Thekweni

Overview

We are a Supply Chain and Sales & Merchandising partner adding value to your business through a fully integrated, temperature-controlled network in Southern Africa. Vector’s vehicle fleet includes a food industry first in ‘multi-temperature’ vehicles enabling the company to service business across frozen, chilled and ambient temperature zones on a single delivery.

Job Purpose

To develop and manage daily transport plans that balance service delivery with operational efficiency, while supporting vehicle tracking and resolving day-to-day operational queries. The role provides critical planning support to ensure effective fleet utilisation and a high level of customer service. In addition, the role manages principal customer logistics requirements at both operational and depot level.

Transport Planning & Scheduling

• Develop daily route plans to ensure optimal productivity and service delivery.
• Deliver route plans to depots or PBCS’s within agreed timelines.
• Ensure planning is aligned with prescribed operational KPIs.
• Review special delivery requests, update temporary master data, assess feasibility, and communicate outcomes to stakeholders.
• Engage regional DC leadership teams or PBCSs to validate routing plans and ensure operational alignment.
• Compile and issue daily final schedules, including:

Special requests

• Special requests
• Startup times
• KPI achievement
• High-risk routes
• Fleet requirements (owned and hired)
• Analyse previous day routes to compare plan vs actual and clearly identify variances.

Fleet Utilisation & Capacity Management

• Maximise utilisation of the secondary fleet and or Unitrans fleet.
• Review fleet availability daily and fully understand constraints.
• Align next-day orders with available fleet capacity.
• Prioritise owned fleet usage over hired fleet.
• Determine hired fleet requirements where necessary.
• Communicate daily fleet requirements (drivers, VAs, and vehicles) clearly to depots.
• Conduct monthly fleet utilisation analysis by DC and implement corrective actions where required.

Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor plan vs actual performance daily:
• Categorise Variances Into

Categorise Variances Into

• Master data issues
• Ad-hoc events
• One-off incidents
• Analytical improvement opportunities

• Conduct root cause analysis on deviations and embed learnings into planning systems.
• Maintain ongoing feedback with the Routing and Scheduling Controller on master data changes.
• Perform regular Turnaround Time (TAT) and travel speed analysis.

Expediting & Execution Control

• Manage daily expediting operations across assigned transport hubs.
• Track live execution in communication with expeditors.
• Identify risks early and communicate delays to customers and sales teams.
• Maintain a redelivery register and plan accordingly.

People Leadership

• Lead and manage a team and stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with labour legislation and collective agreements.
• Manage attendance, overtime, and leave.

Reporting & Stakeholder Engagement

Generate Daily And Monthly Reports On

• Plan vs actual
• Fleet utilisation
• Service levels
• Financial performance

Prepare monthly efficiency reports and present to depot leadership.

Provide updates on corrective actions and process improvements.

Maintain Strong Communication Channels Between

• Planning
• Depots
• Sales
• Customers

Master Data Management

• Maintain accurate planning and routing master data.
• Produce weekly master data quality reports.
• Champion customer onboarding processes.

Financial & KPI Accountability

• The role directly supports delivery against: Fleet utilisation targets Route profitability Customer hit rates Delivery adherence Service levels Budget adherence Savings commitments

Qualifications, Skills And Experience Required For The Job

• 3-year Degree in Logistics, Industrial Engineering, or Management
• Honours Degree (advantageous)
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in FMCG or transport operations

Skills and Competencies

• Transport planning principles
• FMCG logistics
• Customer operations
• Telemetry / vehicle tracking
• Master data management
• Transport KPIs
• Financial interpretation of operational data

Vector Logistics supports the principles of Employment Equity and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Preference will be given to candidates from designated groups in line with our Employment Equity Plan.

If you have not heard from us within 3 to 4 weeks after submitting your application, please consider your application unsuccessful on this occasion. We truly appreciate your interest in joining the Vector team and encourage you to stay connected for future opportunities that may align with your skills and career journey.