Route Planner – Six-Month Fixed-Term Contract - likely to go permanent

Location: CO6, Essex – site based

Salary: £37,400 per annum

Contract: Six-month fixed-term contract

Need to drive due to location

• Shift 1 - 8am–6pm: Four days on, four days off.
• Shift 2 - 8am–6pm: Four days on, four days off.
• Shift 3 - 12 noon–10pm: Four days on, four days off.

We’re looking for an organised and proactive Route Planner to join a busy logistics team. You’ll coordinate vehicles, drivers and delivery schedules, responding to changing requirements and helping ensure customers receive a reliable, timely service.

Key responsibilities

• Plan daily routes and allocate vehicles and drivers to meet customer requirements.
• Coordinate scheduled deliveries and respond to urgent requests.
• Monitor delivery progress and adjust schedules to manage delays and changing priorities.
• Communicate clearly with drivers, customers and operational colleagues.
• Make effective use of available resources, considering journey times, vehicle availability and driver working hours.
• Maintain accurate planning records and provide timely updates.
• Resolve operational issues and escalate concerns where necessary.
• Support safe, compliant and efficient transport operations.

What we’re looking for

• Experience in transport planning, route planning, dispatch or logistics coordination.
• Strong organisation and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• A calm, practical approach to solving problems under pressure.
• Confident communication and customer service skills.
• Good IT skills and accurate attention to detail.
• A flexible approach to changing operational requirements.

Shift pattern

The rota follows a repeating cycle:

• 8am–6pm: Four days on, four days off.
• 8am–6pm: Four days on, four days off.
• 12 noon–10pm: Four days on, four days off.

Working days include weekends and bank holidays where these fall within the rota.