Transport Planner

Salary/Rate:£28k - 35k per year
Working Options:On-site
Job type:Permanent
Town/City:Bootle
County:Merseyside
Specialism:Transport & Logistics
Job ref:90793
Post Date:March 11, 2026
Scroll

Meet Our Recruiter

About the Role

Transport Planner

Container Operations

Bootle, Liverpool

£28,000 – £35,000

Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm

I’m currently recruiting for an experienced Transport Planner to join a logistics business specialising in container transport operations. This role will focus on planning and coordinating container movements to and from UK ports, ensuring efficient vehicle utilisation and maintaining excellent service levels for customers.

They are seeking a Transport Planner with container logistics experience to support the day-to-day transport operation, planning container movements while ensuring compliance and operational efficiency.

The Candidate

  • Previous transport planning experience within container haulage is highly desirable
  • Experience planning container movements to/from UK ports
  • Experience using TOPS transport management system
  • Experience using Navis VBS (Vehicle Booking System)
  • Experience planning workloads for 20+ articulated vehicles
  • Experience working within a busy transport office environment
  • A dynamic approach to solving resource and planning challenges
  • Strong IT literacy
  • A solid understanding of container transport operations, port procedures, and VBS bookings
  • Good geographic knowledge of UK road networks and port locations
  • A proactive approach to professional development
  • An excellent team player able to work independently and make decisions
  • Strong communication skills
  • A positive attitude toward customer service and continuous improvement
  • Ability to question, challenge, and improve existing processes

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Plan and coordinate container collections and deliveries to and from UK ports
  • Manage port bookings via Navis VBS and other port systems
  • Utilise TOPS to plan vehicle routes and maximise fleet efficiency
  • Monitor driver routes and schedules to ensure optimal utilisation
  • Keep customers informed of delays, issues, or failed collections/deliveries
  • Act as the key communication link between drivers, ports, and customers
  • Supervise and manage driver workloads
  • Ensure driver activities comply with Working Time Directive and driver hours regulations
  • Allocate jobs and issue instructions to drivers
  • Respond to operational challenges and changes to daily schedules
  • Liaise with drivers and colleagues to ensure timely container movements
  • Pre-brief and debrief drivers on daily tasks
  • Troubleshoot transport-related issues in a live operational environment
  • Maintain clear communication across the team regarding fleet availability and operational updates

If you have container transport planning experience and are familiar with TOPS and Navis VBS, we would love to hear from you.

At Aspion, our core values have been built around transparency, innovation, passion and collaboration. As such, we are committed to open communication and the protection of your privacy. We have updated our policies in line with the General Data Protection Regulation to make it easier for you to understand how we collect, store and handle your data – these can be viewed on our website.

ASPLOG

More jobs from this recruiter

View All

Transport Planner

Bootle
Merseyside
£28k - 35k per year
Transport Planner Container Operations Bootle, Liverpool £30,000 - £35,000 Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm I'm currently recruiting for an experienced Transport Planner to join a logistics business specialising in container transport operations. This role will focus on planning and coordinating container movements to and from UK ports, ensuring efficient vehicle utilisation and maintaining excellent service levels for customers. They are seeking a Transport Planner with container logistics experience to support the day-to-day transport operation, planning container movements while ensuring compliance and operational efficiency. The Candidate - Previous transport planning experience within container haulage is highly desirable - Experience planning container movements to/from UK ports - Experience using TOPS transport management system - Experience using Navis VBS (Vehicle Booking System) - Experience planning workloads for 20+ articulated vehicles - Experience working within a busy transport office environment - A dynamic approach to solving resource and planning challenges - Strong IT literacy - A solid understanding of container transport operations, port procedures, and VBS bookings - Good geographic knowledge of UK road networks and port locations - A proactive approach to professional development - An excellent team player able to work independently and make decisions - Strong communication skills - A positive attitude toward customer service and continuous improvement - Ability to question, challenge, and improve existing processes Duties and Responsibilities - Plan and coordinate container collections and deliveries to and from UK ports - Manage port bookings via Navis VBS and other port systems - Utilise TOPS to plan vehicle routes and maximise fleet efficiency - Monitor driver routes and schedules to ensure optimal utilisation - Keep customers informed of delays, issues, or failed collections/deliveries - Act as the key communication link between drivers, ports, and customers - Supervise and manage driver workloads - Ensure driver activities comply with Working Time Directive and driver hours regulations - Allocate jobs and issue instructions to drivers - Respond to operational challenges and changes to daily schedules - Liaise with drivers and colleagues to ensure timely container movements - Pre-brief and debrief drivers on daily tasks - Troubleshoot transport-related issues in a live operational environment - Maintain clear communication across the team regarding fleet availability and operational updates If you have container transport planning experience and are familiar with TOPS and Navis VBS, we would love to hear from you. At Aspion, our core values have been built around transparency, innovation, passion and collaboration. As such, we are committed to open communication and the protection of your privacy. We have updated our policies in line with the General Data Protection Regulation to make it easier for you to understand how we collect, store and handle your data - these can be viewed on our website. ASPLOG

Transport Planner

Trafford Park
Greater Manchester
£35k - 38k per year
Transport Planner Trafford Park £35,000 - £38,000 (flexible depending on experience) Tuesday - Friday: 7am - 5pm | Saturday: 7am - 11am I'm currently recruiting for an experienced Transport Planner to join a large haulage business who specialise within general haulage and pallet network operations throughout the UK. They are seeking a Transport Planner to support the current transport operation in the management of route planning across a general haulage and automotive division. The Candidate; - Previous experience within a Transport operation within a planner position - Experience of transport planning for a collection and backhaul network is desirable - Pallet network route planning experience is highly desirable - Previous experience within a fast paced transport position - Previously worked to revenue targets within HGV route planning - Experience of using system based planning tools - A strong knowledge of tachograph regulations - Strong administrative skills - Strong customer service and communication skills - Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines - Competent decision making - Good geographical knowledge Duties and Responsibilities; - Route planning for full load, general haulage and pallet network sector - Using geographical knowledge to maximise the fleet ability to work - Supervising and managing driver work loads - Responsible for driver queries face to face and via telephone - Report and escalate any tracker errors to the Transport Planning Supervisor. - Ensuring drivers are up to date with any road problems and challenging drivers when needed to ensure Deliveries are on time - Liaise with the Transport Planning Supervisor regarding the regular maintenance intervals - To ensure the service expectations of customers are prioritised in regards of the delivery plan whilst actively maintaining a commercial awareness for profitability. - To ensure that the drivers under your control are receiving a relevant start time and are correctly briefed on their day's activities prior to the start of their shift. - Review driver routes and plan to maximise efficiency - Keep all customers informed of all failed services or significant delays - Provide the communication link between customers and drivers - Supervising and managing driver workloads - Managing your driver's daily activities in line with the Working Time Directive and Driving hours. - Ensuring every customer receives excellent customer service If you have Transport Planner experience and would like to be considered for this opportunity, please apply via the link. At Aspion, our core values have been built around the importance of transparency, innovation, passion and collaboration. As such, we are committed to open communication and the protection of your privacy. We have updated our policies in line with new General Data Protection Regulation laws to make it easier for you to understand how we collect, store and handle your data - These can be viewed on our website. ASPLOG

Transport Manager

Exeter
Devon
£50k - 60k per year
Transport Manager Exeter, South West £50,000 - £60,000 (flexible depending on experience) Monday - Friday, Days We are seeking an experienced and highly organised Transport Manager to join a growing operation based in Exeter, supporting the civils, groundworks, and construction sectors. This is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing a fleet of 8 vehicles, primarily operating hot box tippers supplying materials to construction sites. This position offers the opportunity to take full ownership of the transport function, ensuring the fleet operates safely, compliantly, and efficiently while supporting ongoing growth. The Candidate; - Valid Transport Manager CPC (essential) - NEBOSH or health & safety qualification is highly desirable - Experience managing transport operations within construction, civils, aggregates, or related sectors is desirable - Strong knowledge of Operator Licence compliance and DVSA regulations - Experience managing drivers and fleet compliance systems - Excellent organisational and leadership skills - Ability to work proactively and take full ownership of the transport function - Confident communicator, able to engage at all levels internally and externally - Ability to remain calm under pressure and manage competing priorities Duties and Responsibilities; - Take full responsibility for transport compliance, ensuring operations meet all DVSA and Operator Licence requirements - Act as the named Transport Manager on the Operator's Licence - Manage and oversee a fleet of 8 vehicles operating within the civils and construction supply chain - Ensure all vehicle maintenance, inspections, and defect reporting processes are followed - Lead driver management, including recruitment support, training, performance management, and compliance with drivers' hours regulations - Oversee Health & Safety procedures across the transport operation - Maintain accurate records for tacho analysis, maintenance schedules, and compliance documentation - Liaise with operational teams to ensure efficient scheduling and delivery to site projects - Promote a strong safety and compliance culture across the driver team If you have Transport Management experience and would like to be considered for this opportunity, please apply via the link. At Aspion, our core values have been built around the importance of transparency, innovation, passion and collaboration. As such, we are committed to open communication and the protection of your privacy. We have updated our policies in line with new General Data Protection Regulation laws to make it easier for you to understand how we collect, store and handle your data - These can be viewed on our website. ASPLOG

Transport Manager

Colchester
Essex
£40k - 50k per year + ASPLOG
Transport Manager General Haulage & Pallet Network Colchester, Essex £40,000 - £50,000 (depending on experience) Monday - Friday, Days A leading logistics business is seeking an experienced Transport Manager to join its Colchester operation. This is a fantastic opportunity for a strong transport professional to take full ownership of a busy, fast-paced transport function within a general haulage and pallet network environment. This role is ideal for a hands-on Transport Manager who can lead people, drive compliance, optimise fleet performance and deliver high service levels across a mixed operation including general haulage, groupage, tramping and pallet network activity. The Transport Manager will be responsible for the overall management of transport operations, ensuring legal compliance, operational efficiency and commercial performance, while developing a high-performing team of planners and drivers. The Candidate; CPC Transport Management Qualification Proven experience as a Transport Manager within a national general haulage fleet Strong background in general haulage and/or pallet network operations Experience managing transport teams, including planners and drivers A commercial mindset with the ability to balance service, cost and profitability Sound knowledge of national transport operations, tramping and backload optimisation Strong understanding of transport compliance, driver hours and fleet management Ability to negotiate and manage third-party haulier relationships and rates Strong customer service and stakeholder management skills Confident decision-maker, able to perform under pressure and to tight deadlines Duties and Responsibilities; Full responsibility for the day-to-day management of transport operations Leading, coaching and developing a team of planners and transport staff Managing driver performance, compliance, and engagement Ensuring full compliance with O-Licence, driver hours, and transport legislation Overseeing national route planning, inbound and outbound flows, and pallet network operations Ownership of transport KPIs, service levels and operational performance Making commercial decisions on fleet utilisation, ad-hoc pricing and backload opportunities Managing and developing relationships with third-party hauliers and 3PL partners Negotiating haulier rates and monitoring third-party performance Overseeing planning systems and transport technology (currently Sterling) Monitoring fleet performance using tracking and telematics systems Handling customer escalations and ensuring critical service KPIs are achieved Driving continuous improvement across the general haulage and pallet network operation If you have Transport Manager Experience and would like to be considered for this opportunity, please apply via the link. At Aspion, our core values have been built around the importance of transparency, innovation, passion and collaboration. As such, we are committed to open communication and the protection of your privacy. We have updated our policies in line with new General Data Protection Regulation laws to make it easier for you to understand how we collect, store and handle your data - These can be viewed on our website. ASPLOG