Transport Planning Manager - North West

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 the North West

With cities including Manchester, Liverpool and Lancaster, the North West of England has played a pivotal role in Britain's economic success for hundreds of years.

From shipping and manufacturing, through to mining and engineering, this region has historic significance for the country, and is still thriving today - good news for anyone seeking Transport Planning Manager jobs in the North West.

The area has seen its fair share of industrial and scientific innovation and during the Industrial Revolution, the steel, coal and textile industries were all big business, as well as shipping and ship building.

In 1830, the first inter-city passenger railway was established, carrying people, goods and raw materials between Liverpool and Manchester. In addition, the Manchester Ship Canal was completed in 1894, providing another connection between the Mersey Estuary and Manchester, through Cheshire and Lancashire.

Fast forward to today and the region has changed significantly. While transport is still an important part of the North West's economy, many other industries have also taken hold.

Indeed, just some of the big names you'll find based in the North West include PG Tips, Warburtons, Kelloggs, McVitie's, Russell Hobbs, Silentnight, Dulux, Lakeland and Persil.

The region is also home to a number of car manufacturers, pharmaceuticals companies, news organisations and financial institutions.

What's more, submarines and military aircraft are built in the area, Cheshire is known for its salt mines and Manchester is the new home of the BBC - as well as a number of other entertainment companies.

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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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