Transport Planner

Company: Chain Logistics Services Ltd.
Apply for the Transport Planner
Location: Maidstone
Job Description:

We are looking for an experienced and organised Transport Planner to join our growing UK road haulage operation.

The role involves the day-to-day planning and coordination of our vehicles and drivers across container and curtainside operations, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, on time and profitably.

Key Responsibilities

  • Plan and coordinate the daily workload of vehicles and drivers.
  • Manage container haulage movements, including port collections and deliveries, VBS bookings, releases and empty container restitution.
  • Arrange and monitor empty container returns, including depot and restitution instructions.
  • Plan and coordinate curtainside collections, deliveries, reloads and return loads.
  • Maximise vehicle and driver utilisation while minimising empty mileage and unnecessary waiting time.
  • Monitor jobs and drivers throughout the day and respond to delays, changes and operational issues.
  • Liaise with customers, drivers, ports, shipping lines, container depots and subcontractors.
  • Source subcontracted transport and negotiate rates when required.
  • Manage jobs from initial booking through to completion and invoicing readiness.
  • Carry out job costing and profitability checks, ensuring all revenue and costs are accurately recorded.
  • Ensure PODs, waiting times and other relevant job information are correctly recorded.
  • Maintain accurate records within the transport management system.
  • Ensure vehicle planning complies with drivers’ hours, Working Time Directive and company procedures.

Experience & Skills

  • Previous experience in UK road haulage / transport planning.
  • Experience with container haulage, including VBS bookings and empty container restitution.
  • Strong vehicle and driver planning skills.
  • Good understanding of job costing, transport rates and profitability.
  • Good knowledge of the UK road network.
  • Understanding of drivers’ hours and transport compliance requirements.
  • Strong organisational and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage a busy daily workload.
  • Good communication skills when dealing with drivers, customers, depots and other transport partners.

Transport Manager CPC qualification would be an advantage but is not essential.

We are looking for a hands-on planner who can take responsibility for jobs from booking through to completion, make effective use of the fleet and drivers, and maintain a strong focus on service, efficiency and profitability.

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Posted: August 26th, 2026