Transport Planner

Brook Street Recruitment is delighted to be recruiting on behalf of our client, a well-established, family-run logistics business based in Ballymena. Our client is looking for an organised and proactive Transport Planner to join a busy and friendly transport team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with transport planning or logistics experience who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same. Youll play a vital role in ensuring deliveries and collections run smoothly across Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, while building strong relationships with drivers, customers and colleagues. If youre a confident communicator, enjoy solving problems and thrive under pressure, this could be the perfect next step in your career. About the Role As a Transport Planner, youll coordinate the daily movement of vehicles, trailers and drivers to deliver outstanding service to customers while maximising fleet efficiency. Youll be at the heart of the operation, responding to changing priorities, supporting drivers and ensuring transport plans are delivered safely, efficiently and on time. Working closely with the wider operations team, youll help maintain a seamless transport service while identifying opportunities to improve planning and performance. Key Responsibilities Plan and coordinate daily delivery and collection schedules across Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. Allocate work effectively across drivers, vehicles and trailers to maximise fleet utilisation. Maintain regular communication with drivers, providing clear instructions, operational support and updates throughout the day. Monitor live transport movements, responding quickly to delays, route changes, vehicle issues and customer requests. Build strong relationships with customers by providing timely updates and resolving transport queries professionally. Accurately enter and maintain transport information, rates, ferry bookings and operational data within Qargo, transport management systems, customer portals and internal planning systems. Plan ahead by reviewing upcoming workloads and working with customers to maximise available vehicle capacity. Work collaboratively with Distribution, the garage and other departments to ensure a smooth and coordinated transport operation. Liaise with the workshop regarding vehicle servicing, PMIs, brake testing, PSV requirements and equipment availability. Manage ferry bookings efficiently, ensuring amendments and cancellations are processed promptly. Support operational KPI reporting and contribute to continuous improvements across the planning function. Ensure all transport plans comply with Drivers Hours legislation, tachograph regulations and the Working Time Directive. Respond promptly to emails and operational queries, keeping customers, drivers and colleagues informed throughout the day. What Were Looking For Were looking for someone who is organised, customer-focused and enjoys working in a dynamic logistics environment. Ideally, youll have: Previous experience in transport planning, fleet coordination or a similar logistics role. Good knowledge of UK and Ireland geography and an understanding of time-critical transport operations. Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workloads and make sound decisions under pressure. Strong communication skills and confidence dealing with drivers, customers and internal teams. A working knowledge of Drivers Hours legislation, tachograph regulations and the Working Time Directive (desirable). Experience using Transport Management Systems (such as Qargo), tracking systems and customer portals. Good IT skills, including Microsoft Excel, Outlook and Microsoft Teams. A Transport Manager CPC qualification would be advantageous but is not essential. Whats on Offer Joining this successful family-run business means becoming part of a supportive team where your contribution is valued and your career can continue to grow. Benefits include: Competitive salary (negotiable depending on experience and background) Company pension Cycle to Work Scheme Employee discount scheme On-site parking Ongoing training and career development opportunities A supportive, collaborative working environment Long-term career prospects within a growing logistics business If youre looking for a rewarding opportunity where you can make a real impact and develop your career within a respected transport company, wed love to hear from you. Send your CV to Colleen via the apply link Brook Street NMR is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.