Transport Planner (Earls Colne, Essex)

Woodland Logistics is seeking an experienced and highly organised Transport Planner to manage the efficient planning and utilisation of our truck and trailer vehicle fleet. The role is central to ensuring deliveries are completed safely, on time, and in the most cost-effective manner, while maintaining excellent service to our customers.

About us

Woodland Group is more than just a logistics and supply chain company. Independently owned, the Group continuously challenges itself and its teams to be innovative, quick to adapt, provide expert solutions and create opportunities for clients, team members as well as the business. Our culture thrives on a drive for excellence, opportunities to learn and develop, our diversity and relationship building, as well as our desire to bring skills and passion to a quickly changing and fast-paced environment.

About the job

• Plan daily and weekly vehicle routes to maximise fleet utilisation and minimise empty running
• Allocate vehicles and drivers in line with customer requirements, driver hours, and legal compliance
• Monitor live operations and respond to delays, breakdowns, or last-minute changes
• Liaise with drivers, customers, and internal teams to ensure smooth operations
• Ensure compliance with UK transport legislation, including drivers’ hours and WTD
• Work closely within the Central Planning Team to manage resource, capacity and demand
• Maintain accurate planning and operational records using TMS and other systems
• Support cost control through efficient routing and resource planningContribute to continuous improvement in planning processes and service levels

About you

• Proven experience in vehicle planning within a haulage or logistics environment
• Knowledge of UK transport regulations and compliance requirements
• Excellent organisational and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast‑moving operational environment
• Strong communication skills with drivers and customers
• Confident using transport management systems and Microsoft Office
• Flexible approach to working hours when required
• CPC qualification or transport‑related training
• Experience planning Full Truck Loads, on multi‑drop and single drop basis, and or general haulage operations
• Knowledge of fleet cost control and profitable performance KPIs

Why you'll love working for us

We have a new UK benefits programme based on what our staff asked us for! This includes...

• Generous holiday allowance which rises with service.
• Recognition awards and Incentives.
• Length of service incentives
• Enhanced occupational maternity pay
• Salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Health cash plan
• Mental health and stress hotline
• Retail discounts and awards
• Discounted health club membership
• Real career opportunities
• Team bonding opportunities and events
• To be part of a fast-moving exciting company with a great team of people.
• And much more…

We look forward to you joining our world where WE CARE, WE CONNECT, WE DELIVER.

At Woodland Group success is down to our dedicated and experienced teams right across the globe. We create safe spaces for collective growth – regardless of background. We embrace differences and believe we are made stronger by the unique capabilities and qualities that each person can bring to Woodland. We deliver opportunities across a wide variety of roles all over the world, from entry level to senior management, behind the steering wheel, in IT and tech or eCommerce. Every Woodlander has access to training and development courses and can drive their own success forward, to realise their full potential.

Woodland Group is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and a member of the Disability Confidence Scheme. We are committed to the values of Equal Employment Opportunity and provide accessible interviews to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with Woodland Group and are in need of special assistance, please send an email to recruitment@woodlandgroup.com.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

• Company events
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• On-site parking

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