Transport Planning Manager jobs
Looking after a fleet of vehicles has never been a simple task, and it could be said that with the advent of technologies to simplify logistics and keep a second by second track of the vehicles, all that has happened is that new complexity has been loaded into the system. In other words, the transport planning manager is still an essential role, which is highly valued in logistics.
There are two main strands to the transport planning manager’s job: ensuring consignments are delivered on time and making the whole process as efficient as possible. Nowadays, sophisticated transport offices are kept informed of the complete status of every vehicle, and planning can take place while they are on the road, with drivers being informed of new destinations and alerted to traffic problems as they go. They will also need to make sure spaces on ferries are booked; it is keeping on top of details like this that make a successful transport planning manager.
The planning manager will also have close contact with the customers, both to inform them of the status of their deliveries and to arrange backhaul availability, for example. He or she will also need to make sure drivers are available and organise backup if drivers become unavailable through illness; likewise, should a breakdown occur, the planning manager will have to be quick thinking enough to arrange the best way to get the load delivered.
The skills required
The transport planning manager is first a planner and second a communicator, and the two roles need to work in harmony with each other. A calm person who thinks in four dimensions will be suited to the job; a day might start out looking perfectly planned out but look like a disaster movie by lunchtime due to events out of his or her control. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated an ability to cope with the stresses of such a chain of events.
The job will be extremely reliant on the company’s IT infrastructure, so computer literacy will be an absolute must for this role too.
Transport Planning Manager Jobs in Weston-super-Mare
Located 18 miles (30 km) south east of Bristol and directly across the Bristol Channel from Cardiff, Weston-super-Mare is a popular seaside resort that benefited hugely when the railways came its way in the 1800s. Its strange name comes from the Anglo-Saxon “west tun” (west settlement) and the Latin “super mare” meaning upon sea. One of the most influential engineers of all time, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, also used to live there, proving that peculiar names must be in the water – and probably explaining why a sleepy village got a railway!
The town did have some industry in the past. The Westland aircraft company, which was based in Yeovil, had its helicopter manufacturing and maintenance plant in Weston-super-Mare. The company is famous for its Wessex, Sea King, Puma and Lynx military, coastguard and rescue helicopter. One of the most famous helicopter pilots in the world (no, not Noel Edmonds), Prince William, pilots Sea Kings. The factory closed down in 2002, and Weston-super-Mare is now home to The Helicopter Museum.
Weston-super-Mare’s economy is mainly focused on tourism, but there is some industry and distribution activity in the area, partly due to its location as the gateway to the South West. Discount supermarket Lidl has its southern distribution centre there, and there is some other light industry in the town. While it may not seem the first place you’d look for a Transport Planning Manager job, they do come up from time to time, and there will always be a demand in nearby Bristol too.
Popular locations
Cast UK’s logistics opportunities
Cast UK’s recruitment consultants work with a host of employers around the UK to ensure positions are filled by the best people, and many of them approach us to create a shortlist rather than advertising jobs nationally or locally. We have specialists for every UK region and all the major cities, so wherever you are, we could have a position for you.
Whether you're moving house, looking to change employer or are simply seeking a change in career, get in touch with Cast UK. Our own staff are all source from within procurement, logistics and supply chain, and these are the backgrounds of our founder members, so we fully understand the needs of the industry.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Transport Planning Manager for your business or find you a job as a Transport Planning Manager then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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