Transport Planner Jobs in Leicester LE1 | Immediate Start & Flexible Shifts
Staffing Service is recruiting for an experienced Transport Planner for a key client in Leicester city centre. This is an urgent, temporary-to-permanent opportunity offering an ASAP start, competitive rates, and a chance to join a dynamic logistics operation. If you have experience in route optimisation, fleet scheduling, or supply chain coordination, we want to hear from you today.
Leicester LE1
City Centre & Surrounding Logistics Hubs
ASAP / Immediate
Interviews happening this week
£Competitive
Based on experience & shift pattern
Temp-to-Perm
Long-term opportunity available
Transport Planner Role: Leicester LE1
Our client, a leading logistics and distribution company with a major hub in Leicester, requires a skilled and proactive Transport Planner to join their busy operations team. This role sits at the heart of their supply chain, ensuring the efficient, cost-effective, and timely movement of goods across the UK and into Europe. You will be responsible for a mixed fleet, managing driver schedules, optimising routes, and liaising with customers and warehouses to solve problems in real-time.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a planner looking for a dynamic, fast-paced environment where your decisions have a direct impact on operational success. Staffing Service specialises in connecting logistics talent with top-tier employers in the East Midlands. By registering with us, you gain access to exclusive roles like this one, along with the support of a dedicated consultant who understands the local Leicester market. For more insights on how modern agencies identify the right fit, explore our guide on Candidate Screening Strategies for 2026.
Key Responsibilities & Daily Tasks
As the Transport Planner in Leicester, you will be the central point of coordination. Your analytical skills and ability to remain calm under pressure will be critical.
- Plan and schedule daily vehicle routes and driver assignments for a mixed fleet (HGVs, LGVs), maximising load efficiency and minimising empty running.
- Utilise transport management software (TMS) and GPS tracking systems to monitor live vehicle movements, providing proactive updates to customers and internal stakeholders.
- Manage driver hours and compliance (WTD, EU Drivers' Hours), ensuring all legislation is strictly adhered to and records are accurately maintained.
- Handle inbound customer enquiries and booking requests, providing accurate costs and ETAs while resolving any service issues or delays promptly.
- Analyse performance data to identify trends, suggest improvements for cost reduction, and contribute to weekly operational reports for management.
- Coordinate closely with warehouse teams, such as those in similar Rugby CV21 operations, to ensure seamless loading/unloading schedules and minimise vehicle dwell time.
Essential Skills & Experience Required
- 1 Proven Experience: Minimum of 2 years in a transport planning, logistics coordination, or fleet调度 role within a fast-paced distribution, retail, or 3PL environment.
- 2 Technical Proficiency: Strong skills with transport management systems (TMS), Microsoft Excel (pivots, lookups), and mapping/route optimisation software. Knowledge of vehicle tracking systems is essential.
- 3 Legislative Knowledge: A solid understanding of UK and EU drivers' hours regulations (WTD), tachograph rules, and O-licence requirements. CPC knowledge is advantageous.
- 4 Problem-Solving Mindset: Excellent communication skills and the ability to think on your feet to resolve delays, vehicle breakdowns, or customer issues effectively and professionally.
- 5 Organisational Skills: Impeccable attention to detail, ability to prioritise a demanding workload, and a proactive approach to preventing issues before they arise.
Salary, Benefits & Working Conditions
Package Details
- Competitive Hourly/Salary Rate: Negotiable based on your specific experience in transport planning.
- Weekly Pay: You will be paid accurately and on time every week through Staffing Service.
- Holiday Pay: Accrued in line with statutory requirements.
Role Perks
- Temp-to-Perm Pathway: This role has a clear route to a permanent position for the right candidate.
- Modern Workspace: Based in a well-equipped, modern office in central Leicester LE1.
- Career Development: Opportunity to grow within a substantial logistics organisation.
*Exact salary figures are discussed confidentially upon application and are dependent on relevant experience and qualifications.
How to Apply for This Transport Planner Role
The application process through Staffing Service is straightforward and designed to get you into work quickly.
Submit Your CV
Apply online or email your CV to us. Ensure it highlights your transport planning experience.
Quick Registration
Our team will contact you for a brief, friendly chat to discuss your skills and this role.
Interview & Start
We'll arrange a client interview. Upon success, we handle all paperwork for your immediate start.
If you are interested email your cv and info to [email protected]
Why Choose Staffing Service?
We are a leading recruitment and temporary staffing agency with deep roots in Leicester and the East Midlands. We don't just fill roles; we build lasting careers and solve staffing challenges.
- Local Expertise: We know the Leicester LE1 job market inside out, from logistics hubs to retail parks.
- Dedicated Consultant: You'll have a single point of contact who fights your corner and finds roles that match your skills.
- Speed & Efficiency: We specialise in immediate starts. Our streamlined process gets you from application to assignment faster.
- Wide Network: Access to unadvertised roles with top employers across logistics, warehousing, and retail. Discover more about our approach in our resource on Find Talent Faster: 2026 Strategic Hiring Playbook.
Master Your Logistics Career
Watch our brief guide on the skills that make a top-tier planner and how to stand out in today's market.
Learn which certifications can enhance your profile for roles like Transport Planner.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Transport Planner's core duty is to ensure the right goods get to the right place at the right time, at the lowest possible cost. On a typical day, this involves using specialised software to create efficient delivery routes, allocating vehicles and drivers, tracking live deliveries, communicating with drivers and customers about any delays, and ensuring all activities comply with strict transport laws (like drivers' hours). It's a role that blends data analysis, problem-solving, and constant communication.
For a deeper look at the strategic side of matching talent to such operational roles, you might find our page on Comprehensive HR Solutions insightful.
Absolutely. While this role is based with a client in Leicester LE1, we recruit for transport and logistics roles across the wider East Midlands region. Many of our candidates commute from surrounding areas like Loughborough, Hinckley, or Market Harborough. We also have similar Transport Planner and logistics coordination opportunities in other locations. When you register with us, your consultant will discuss your location preferences and match you with suitable roles.
Applying through Staffing Service gives you several advantages: Access: We often have exclusive access to roles not advertised publicly. Advocacy: Your consultant prepares you for the interview, negotiates pay rates on your behalf, and provides feedback. Efficiency: We handle all the paperwork and compliance, speeding up your start date. Ongoing Support: We're your point of contact for any queries during your assignment, and we'll proactively look for your next role when this one ends. Think of us as your career agent in the Leicester job market.
Definitely. Logistics is a sector with clear career paths. Starting as a Transport Planner, you can progress to Senior Planner, Transport Manager, or Logistics Manager roles. This particular position is temp-to-perm, meaning it's an excellent foot in the door with a reputable company. Performing well in the temporary phase often leads to a permanent offer. Furthermore, the experience gained is transferable across industries, from retail and manufacturing to specialist freight. For insights on how businesses plan for such growth, see Top Staff Augmentation Solutions.
Ready to Plan Your Next Career Move?
This Transport Planner role in Leicester LE1 is interviewing now. Don't miss your chance to join a dynamic team with the support of the East Midlands' leading staffing agency.
Staffing Service, Leicester & East Midlands | Recruitment & Temporary Staffing Specialists
Contact Staffing Service
Address for enquiries: Leicester LE1 Region (Our consultants operate across the East Midlands)
Phone: +44 20 7123 9330
Email: [email protected]
Looking for staff? We are also a leading provider of Event Staff Hire and can supply skilled Event Coordinators and support personnel for projects across the UK.
Useful Links & Resources
Staffing Service is an equal opportunities employer and employment business. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.
© Staffing Service. All rights reserved. | Specialist Recruitment & Temporary Staffing Agency.
Final Application Instruction: If you are interested email your cv and info to [email protected]
The Leicester Logistics Landscape: Your Career Advantage
Leicester's strategic position at the heart of the UK's motorway network (M1/M69/A50) has cemented its status as a major logistics hub. The LE1 postcode, encompassing the city centre and its immediate commercial outskirts, hosts distribution centres for major retailers, third-party logistics (3PL) providers, and specialised freight companies. This concentration creates a dynamic job market for Transport Planners, offering exposure to diverse operations—from fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and e-commerce fulfilment to temperature-controlled transport and international freight forwarding.
Industry Specialisms in LE1
- Retail Logistics: Major high-street and online retailers operate regional hubs here, focusing on rapid stock replenishment and direct-to-customer deliveries.
- Pharmaceutical & Healthcare: Several operators require planners skilled in managing time-sensitive, high-value shipments with strict governance.
- Manufacturing Supply Chain: Supporting the automotive and engineering sectors in the wider region with just-in-time component deliveries.
Geographic & Career Reach
A Transport Planner role in LE1 is rarely confined to the city boundary. Your planning remit will likely extend across the Midlands and North, offering invaluable experience in multi-region operations. This exposure is a significant career accelerator, making you a attractive candidate for national planning roles or management positions.
Understanding this local ecosystem is why Staffing Service consultants are so effective. We don't just match CV keywords; we match your experience and aspirations with the company culture and operational scale of our clients. For a broader view of opportunities, see our guide on Regional Logistics Hubs in the UK.
A Day in the Life: Transport Planner Case Study
To move beyond the job description, let's walk through a hypothetical but realistic scenario faced by a Transport Planner in a Leicester-based 3PL company. This illustrates the blend of proactive planning and reactive problem-solving the role demands.
Morning Briefing & System Review
Logging into the Transport Management System (TMS), you review the planned routes for the day's 22-vehicle fleet. Overnight, the system has automatically allocated jobs based on pre-booked orders. Your first task is a manual sense-check: you spot a proposed route where a 44-tonne articulated lorry is scheduled for a delivery in a historic area with a 7.5-tonne weight limit. You swiftly reallocate that job to a smaller rigid vehicle, using drag-and-drop functionality in the TMS. You also note three vehicles due for preventative maintenance next week and flag them for the operations manager.
Key Skill Applied: Analytical review & regulatory compliance knowledge.
Dynamic Re-planning Under Pressure
A driver calls in: a major accident on the M1 northbound has created a 90-minute delay. His vehicle carries time-sensitive components for a manufacturing plant in Sheffield. You immediately pull up the live traffic overlay in your TMS. The system suggests an alternative route, but you know from experience that the proposed A-road has midday roadworks. You manually plot a different diversion, calculating the impact on the driver's remaining hours. You then call the customer's logistics contact, provide a revised ETA, and assure them the driver will still be compliant on hours. Simultaneously, you email the warehouse at the destination to warn of the later arrival.
Key Skill Applied: Real-time problem-solving, communication, & customer service.
Data Analysis & Continuous Improvement
With the day's major disruptions handled, you turn to a weekly performance report. You export data on fuel consumption, vehicle utilisation, and on-time delivery (OTD) percentages for the past month. Using Excel, you create a pivot table that reveals a trend: vehicles on a specific recurring route to a retail park consistently have lower than average utilisation on the return leg to Leicester. You draft a brief for the business development team, suggesting they contact the customer to discuss the possibility of securing a backload from that region, potentially reducing costs by 15% on that lane. This kind of initiative is what distinguishes a good planner from a great one.
Key Skill Applied: Data analysis, strategic thinking, & commercial awareness.
Essential Technology Toolkit for Modern Transport Planners
Success in this role is powered by software. Familiarity with the following systems is highly valued by Leicester employers and will significantly strengthen your application.
The central nervous system of planning. Common platforms in use include Mandata, Microlise, Paragon, and Descartes. You should be comfortable with core modules:
- Order Entry & Resource Scheduling
- Route Optimisation & Drag-and-Drop Planning
- Live Tracking Integration & POD Capture
Systems like Tracker, Quartix, or Verizon Connect provide the real-time data planners rely on. Understanding how to interpret this feed is crucial:
- Monitoring live vehicle location and status (moving, stationary, delayed).
- Accessing digital tachograph data to manage drivers' hours.
- Generating exception reports for speeding or unauthorised stops.
Beyond basic spreadsheets, planners use Excel for deep analysis and Power BI for visual reporting. Valued competencies include:
- VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP & Pivot Tables for KPI analysis.
- Creating dashboards to visualise cost-per-mile or vehicle utilisation.
- Using formulas to calculate fuel efficiency trends.
If your experience is with specific systems, highlight them prominently on your CV. Our consultants can then accurately match you with clients using that technology, reducing your learning curve and speeding up productivity. For a look at how technology is reshaping hiring, read AI in Recruitment: The 2026 Outlook.