Transport Planner
Vector Logistics · KwaZulu-Natal
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- To develop and manage daily transport plans that balance service delivery with operational efficiency, while supporting vehicle tracking and resolving day-to-day operational queries. The role provides critical planning support to ensure effective fleet utilisation and a high level of customer service. In addition, the role manages principal customer logistics requirements at both operational and depot level.
Transport Planning & Scheduling
- Develop daily route plans to ensure optimal productivity and service delivery.
- Deliver route plans to depots or PBCS's within agreed timelines.
- Ensure planning is aligned with prescribed operational KPIs.
- Review special delivery requests, update temporary master data, assess feasibility, and communicate outcomes to stakeholders.
- Engage regional DC leadership teams or PBCSs to validate routing plans and ensure operational alignment.
- Compile and issue daily final schedules, including:
- Special requests
- Startup times
- KPI achievement
- High-risk routes
- Fleet requirements owned and hired
- Analyse previous day routes to compare plan vs actual and clearly identify variances.
Fleet Utilisation & Capacity Management
- Maximise utilisation of the secondary fleet and or Unitrans fleet.
- Review fleet availability daily and fully understand constraints.
- Align next-day orders with available fleet capacity.
- Prioritise owned fleet usage over hired fleet.
- Determine hired fleet requirements where necessary.
- Communicate daily fleet requirements drivers, VAs, and vehicles clearly to depots.
- Conduct monthly fleet utilisation analysis by DC and implement corrective actions where required.
Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement
- Monitor plan vs actual performance daily:
- Categorise variances into:
- Master data issues
- Ad-hoc events
- One-off incidents
- Analytical improvement opportunities
- Conduct root cause analysis on deviations and embed learnings into planning systems.
- Maintain ongoing feedback with the Routing and Scheduling Controller on master data changes.
- Perform regular Turnaround Time TAT and travel speed analysis.
Expediting & Execution Control
- Manage daily expediting operations across assigned transport hubs.
- Track live execution in communication with expeditors.
- Identify risks early and communicate delays to customers and sales teams.
- Maintain a redelivery register and plan accordingly.
People Leadership
- Lead and manage a team and stakeholders.
- Ensure compliance with labour legislation and collective agreements.
- Manage attendance, overtime, and leave.
Reporting & Stakeholder Engagement
- Generate daily and monthly reports on:
- Plan vs actual
- Fleet utilisation
- Service levels
- Financial performance
- Prepare monthly efficiency reports and present to depot leadership.
- Provide updates on corrective actions and process improvements.
- Maintain strong communication channels between:
- Planning
- Depots
- Sales
- Customers
Master Data Management
- Maintain accurate planning and routing master data.
- Produce weekly master data quality reports.
- Champion customer onboarding processes.
Financial & KPI Accountability
- The role directly supports delivery against:
- Fleet utilisation targets
- Route profitability
- Customer hit rates
- Delivery adherence
- Service levels
- Budget adherence
- Savings commitments
Qualifications, Skills and Experience Required for the Job
- 3-year Degree in Logistics, Industrial Engineering, or Management
- Honours Degree advantageous
- Minimum 2 years' experience in FMCG or transport operations
Skills and Competencies
- Transport planning principles
- FMCG logistics
- Customer operations
- Telemetry / vehicle tracking
- Master data management
- Transport KPIs
- Financial interpretation of operational data