Job Specification: Load Planner
Department / Location: Transport, Halifax
Reports To: Transport Manager
People Responsibility: Drivers and Mates
Main Purpose
To manage day-to-day transport operations, including driver allocation, route planning and transport administration, ensuring customer service requirements are met efficiently and within budget.
Key Responsibilities
- Allocate work to drivers and mates to maximise vehicle utilisation and workforce efficiency, monitoring performance and taking corrective action where necessary.
- Ensure drivers and mates follow company Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and established working practices.
- Plan daily delivery routes using Paragon, ensuring the appropriate vehicles are deployed to meet customer requirements while minimising costs.
- Ensure loads remain within vehicle payload limits and comply with drivers' hours regulations.
- Ensure drivers and mates receive appropriate inductions and training, maintaining accurate records and identifying further training needs.
- Ensure vehicles and associated equipment are operated safely and in accordance with current legislation and company policies.
- Produce transport performance reports and KPIs accurately and on time for internal and external use.
- Ensure compliance with Health and Safety and fire safety regulations, including the correct use of company uniforms and personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Complete order processing and prepare pick lists, despatch notes and load sheets in accordance with depot procedures.
- Provide support to warehouse management when required.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- On-time delivery performance.
- Vehicle fill rates and payload utilisation.
- Delivery cost per drop.
- Driver compliance, including drivers' hours and vehicle walk-round checks.
- Completion of training and up-to-date induction records.
Key Working Relationships
Internal
- Transport Manager
- Warehouse Team
- Customer Service Team
- Fleet and Maintenance Team
External
- Customers
- Hauliers and third-party carriers
- Paragon system support
Qualifications, Skills and Experience
- Previous experience in transport planning, ideally using Paragon.
- Working knowledge of drivers' hours regulations and operator licence requirements.
- Strong IT, organisational and communication skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and meet daily delivery deadlines.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work effectively with drivers, warehouse teams and other departments.
- A proactive approach to improving transport efficiency and customer service
