Transport Planning Manager

Morgan McKinley is partnering with a key client, a leading Irish logistics and food services provider, to recruit an experienced Transport Planning Manager.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established, high-volume operation and play a key role in driving transport efficiency, service excellence and continuous improvement. The successful candidate will lead and develop the transport planning team, optimise delivery operations and ensure the effective utilisation of fleet, drivers and resources while maintaining the highest standards of customer service, safety and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, motivate and develop the transport planning team, providing coaching, training and ongoing support to enhance performance, skills and operational knowledge.

• Transport Planning & Optimisation: Oversee daily and weekly delivery planning to ensure routes, fleet and driver resources are utilised effectively, balancing operational costs with service requirements.

• Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement opportunities to improve planning processes, systems and tools, driving efficiencies and cost savings without compromising service quality. Support initiatives relating to route optimisation, capacity utilisation, automation, system implementation and sustainability.

• KPI Management: Take ownership of transport planning KPIs, monitor performance against targets and implement timely corrective actions where required.

• Health, Safety & Compliance: Ensure transport planning activities operate in accordance with relevant Health & Safety, food safety and quality standards, including HACCP requirements, and that employees receive appropriate training.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with internal departments to coordinate delivery schedules, meet operational deadlines and consistently achieve customer expectations.

• Cost & Budget Control: Monitor and report on transport expenditure, fuel consumption and budget performance, identifying opportunities to improve cost efficiency and operational effectiveness.

• Systems & Reporting: Utilise planning data and operational reporting to support informed decision-making, improve forecasting and enhance overall transport performance.

Key Requirements

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• A minimum of five years' experience in transport or logistics management, ideally within a high-volume distribution or logistics environment.

• Proven experience managing and developing a team within a busy transport operation.

• A strong understanding of transport and distribution operations, including relevant road transport legislation, Health & Safety requirements and HACCP principles.

• Excellent computer literacy, with the ability to interpret operational data, analyse performance and identify trends and improvement opportunities.

• Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to engage and motivate teams.

• Excellent organisational and administrative skills, with the ability to prioritise workloads and solve problems in a fast-paced environment.

• A customer-focused approach, with a strong commitment to service delivery and operational excellence.

• A relevant qualification in Logistics and Transport and/or Supply Chain Management.

• Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Experience using transport management systems, route optimisation software and telematics solutions, such as SAP, Paragon or other TMS platforms.

• Familiarity with warehouse management systems (WMS), planning tools and forecasting systems.

• Experience supporting operational improvement projects, system implementations or sustainability initiatives.

• A proactive, self-motivated approach, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

• The flexibility and resilience to maintain performance and sound judgement under pressure.

What's on Offer?

• Career Development: The opportunity to develop your leadership capabilities and progress your career within a well-established Irish logistics and food services business.

• Collaborative Environment: Work alongside experienced professionals in a team-focused, fast-paced operational environment.

• Continuous Improvement: Play an active role in shaping transport planning processes, improving efficiencies and implementing innovative solutions.

• Meaningful Impact: Contribute to the delivery of essential food and logistics services, supporting customers and communities across Ireland.