Transport Planner in Nottingham NG1 — Immediate Start with Staffing Service

Staffing Service is recruiting an experienced Transport Planner for an immediate temporary placement in Nottingham NG1. ASAP start, competitive pay, and ongoing work for the right candidate.

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Location Nottingham NG1 Local & surrounding areas

Start Date ASAP Start Available immediately

Pay Rate Competitive Based on experience

Duration Temporary Temp-to-perm possible

Job Description

We are seeking a meticulous and proactive Transport Planner to join a leading logistics and distribution client based in the heart of Nottingham NG1. This is a pivotal role within a fast-paced operation, responsible for the efficient and cost-effective planning of vehicle routes, managing driver schedules, and ensuring the smooth flow of goods across the Midlands and beyond. Our client is a well-established name in the supply chain sector, known for its investment in technology and commitment to operational excellence. This temporary position offers an immediate start and represents a fantastic opportunity to gain exposure to a high-volume, dynamic environment with the strong potential for a permanent contract for the right candidate.

By applying through Staffing Service, you gain direct access to this exclusive opportunity without the lengthy delays of traditional applications. Our deep-rooted connections with employers across Nottingham NG1 mean we can often place suitable candidates within days. We handle all the initial screening and coordination, allowing you to focus on preparing for the role itself. Furthermore, as your dedicated recruitment partner, we provide ongoing support throughout your assignment, from managing your timesheets and ensuring weekly pay to advocating for your potential transition to a permanent position. For insights into how modern agencies like ours ensure quality placements, explore our guide on Candidate Screening Strategies for 2026.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and optimise daily transport schedules and multi-drop routes for a mixed fleet of vehicles, utilising industry-standard routing software to maximise efficiency and minimise mileage and fuel costs.
• Act as the primary point of contact for drivers, providing clear briefings, managing real-time communications via telematics systems, and resolving any on-road issues or delays promptly.
• Coordinate closely with the warehouse, customer service, and Team Leader staff to ensure load plans align with collection and delivery windows, prioritising time-sensitive and high-value consignments.
• Maintain accurate records of vehicle utilisation, driver hours (in line with WTD/Drivers' Hours regulations), and job completion, preparing performance reports for management.
• Proactively identify opportunities for process improvement within the transport operation, suggesting changes to enhance service levels, reduce costs, and improve overall planning accuracy.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience as a Transport Planner, Dispatch Coordinator, or in a similar logistics planning role, preferably within a fast-moving distribution, retail, or 3PL environment.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills with the ability to work under pressure, solve problems logically, and make quick, effective decisions that impact daily operations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to liaise with drivers, warehouse teams, and customers in a professional and clear manner.
• Familiarity with transport management systems (TMS) and routing software. A working understanding of drivers' hours and road transport regulations is highly advantageous.

Salary & Benefits

We offer a competitive hourly pay rate for this Transport Planner position, reflective of your experience and the responsibilities of the role. Pay is processed weekly, providing you with reliable and regular income. While this is initially a temporary assignment, the client has a strong track record of converting temporary staff to permanent employees based on performance, offering long-term career stability and potential benefits such as pension schemes and holiday pay.

In addition to the financial package, working through Staffing Service provides significant non-monetary benefits. You will have a dedicated consultant who understands the Nottingham logistics market and can offer career advice. We also provide access to a wide range of other temporary and permanent roles across various sectors, should your career interests evolve. For example, if you have skills in coordination and logistics, you might also be suited to Event Security coordination roles for large-scale events. To understand the full value a specialist agency brings, read about our Comprehensive HR Solutions.

Why Register with Staffing Service?

As a trusted Nottingham NG1 recruitment and temporary staffing agency, Staffing Service connects skilled staff with employers who need them fast. When you register with us you get:

• Competitive pay rates
• Weekly pay and a fast, friendly registration process
• Access to temporary, part-time, full-time, and temp-to-perm roles
• A dedicated consultant who understands the local market

How to Apply

The application process for this immediate-start Transport Planner role is streamlined for your convenience. To be considered, please follow these steps:

1. Click the 'Apply Now' button on this page. This will take you to our secure application portal where you can submit your basic details.
2. A member of our Nottingham-based recruitment team will review your application and aim to contact you via phone or email within 24 hours to discuss the role in more detail and confirm your eligibility.
3. If suitable, we will arrange a quick registration interview, which can often be conducted remotely or in our local office. This is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions about the role or our service.
4. Upon successful registration, we will coordinate your start date directly with the client, often enabling you to begin work within a matter of days. We provide all necessary onboarding information and support.

If you are interested email your cv and info to [email protected]. For more information on the types of roles we fill and how we match talent with opportunity, visit our page on Finding Talent Faster.

Ready to start? This role is filling fast.

ASAP start · Competitive pay · Nottingham NG1 & surrounding areas

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Other Immediate Transport Planner Roles in Nottingham NG1 Available Now

Job Title	Location	Pay Rate	Apply
Transport Planner	Nottingham City Centre	£14.50 - £16.50 p/h	Apply
Senior Transport Planner	Beeston, NG9	£17.00 - £19.00 p/h	Apply
Logistics Planner	Hucknall, NG15	£13.75 - £15.25 p/h	Apply
Transport Team Leader	Long Eaton, NG10	£16.50 - £18.50 p/h	Apply
Night Shift Transport Planner	Nottingham (Distribution Park)	£15.50 - £17.00 p/h	Apply
Multimodal Transport Coordinator	Derby, DE24	£14.00 - £16.00 p/h	Apply
HGV Planning Clerk	Mansfield, NG18	£13.00 - £14.50 p/h	Apply
Retail Distribution Planner	Leicester, LE19	£14.25 - £15.75 p/h	Apply
Import/Export Transport Scheduler	East Midlands Airport Area	£15.00 - £17.50 p/h	Apply
Freight & Haulage Planner	Sheffield, S9	£14.75 - £16.25 p/h	Apply

All advertised pay rates are indicative and depend on experience, shift, and client.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly can I start this Transport Planner role in Nottingham NG1?

We are recruiting for an immediate start. For candidates who have all their necessary documentation ready and are available immediately, we can often process registrations within 24-48 hours and coordinate a start date within the same week. The client needs someone to begin as soon as possible.

What experience do I need for this position?

We are looking for candidates with proven experience in a transport planning, dispatch, or logistics coordination role. Familiarity with routing software, strong communication skills, and the ability to work under pressure are key. While specific TMS experience is beneficial, we value logical problem-solvers who can learn quickly. For more on what employers look for, see our resource on Mastering the Best Hire Employees.

Is this a temporary role only, or is there a chance of a permanent position?

This role is initially offered on a temporary basis to cover an immediate need. However, the client has a strong preference for converting temporary staff to permanent employees based on performance, work ethic, and business needs. Many of our temporary assignments develop into long-term career opportunities.

How and when will I get paid?

All Staffing Service workers are paid weekly. You will submit your timesheets electronically, and after verification with the client, payment is processed directly into your bank account. We ensure prompt and reliable payment every week.

Do you have other logistics or planning roles in the Nottingham area?

Absolutely. As a leading local agency, we frequently recruit for various roles within the logistics, warehouse, and supply chain sectors across Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands. This includes Warehouse Operatives, Inventory Clerks, and Team Leader positions. We recommend checking our All Jobs page regularly for the latest vacancies.

What safety measures are in place for agency workers?

Your safety is our priority. All our clients are vetted for safe working practices. For this Transport Planner role, you will receive a full site induction covering health and safety procedures specific to the office and operational environment. We also ensure all assignments comply with relevant employment regulations.

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Contact Staffing Service

Staffing Service Nottingham NG1 Region

Phone: Email: [email protected]

Staffing Service is an equal-opportunities recruitment and temporary staffing agency serving Nottingham NG1 and the surrounding region.

A Day in the Life: The Transport Planner's Dynamic Schedule

To truly understand the impact of this role, let's walk through a typical day for a Transport Planner at our client's Nottingham NG1 hub. The day begins early, often before 7:00 AM, with a review of the planned schedules created the previous evening. The planner assesses the fleet status, checks for any overnight vehicle breakdowns or driver unavailability, and logs into the Transport Management System (TMS). The first major task is the 'morning peak' replanning session. This involves incorporating new, urgent orders that have come in from key retail customers overnight, requiring rapid adjustments to routes to accommodate extra drops without compromising existing delivery windows.

By mid-morning, the focus shifts to active monitoring and communication. Using real-time telematics, the planner watches the progress of the fleet across the Midlands. A typical challenge might involve a driver reporting a road closure on the A52, necessitating an on-the-fly reroute that avoids the delay and recalculates the ETA for subsequent deliveries. The planner must communicate this change not only to the driver but also update the warehouse team about adjusted return times and inform customer service about revised slots. This requires exceptional multitasking and calm under pressure. The role is far from static; it's a continuous loop of planning, monitoring, communicating, and problem-solving.

The afternoon is dedicated to consolidation and forward-planning. As vehicles begin returning to the depot, the planner debriefs drivers, notes any issues (like customer refusals or vehicle faults), and starts building the schedule for the next day. This involves analysing today's performance metrics: were there recurring delays in a specific area? Was vehicle capacity fully optimised? This analytical phase is crucial for continuous improvement. The planner liaises with the Team Leader to discuss driver performance and any training needs identified during the day's operations. The day concludes with a finalised, efficient plan for tomorrow, but the planner remains on-call for any critical late-afternoon issues that could affect the night shift or next morning's dispatch.

Mastering the Tools: Essential Technology for Modern Transport Planners

Success in this role is heavily supported by proficiency with specific software and systems. Our client utilises a suite of industry-leading tools, and familiarity with any of the following is a significant advantage:

• Transport Management Systems (TMS): Platforms like Mandata, Microlise, or Descartes provide the central nervous system. Planners use them for core functions: order entry, route optimisation (considering constraints like vehicle size, weight, driver hours, and time windows), driver manifest creation, and proof of delivery (POD) tracking.
• Real-Time Telematics & GPS Tracking: Software such as Quartix or Samsara gives a live view of every vehicle. Planners monitor location, speed, idling time, and estimated arrival times. This is critical for proactive customer service—anticipating delays before they happen—and for ensuring driver safety and regulatory compliance.
• Route Optimisation Engines: Often integrated into the TMS, these powerful tools (like those from Optrak or Paragon) use complex algorithms to calculate the most efficient sequence of stops. A skilled planner knows how to input data correctly and interpret the software's suggestions, balancing automated efficiency with practical, on-the-ground knowledge of local traffic patterns and site-specific access issues.
• Microsoft Excel & Reporting Suites: Advanced Excel skills are non-negotiable. Planners regularly analyse data on fuel consumption, mileage, on-time performance, and cost-per-drop to generate performance reports for management, identifying trends and areas for cost savings or service improvement.

For candidates who are eager but lack direct experience with a specific TMS, we assess for transferable skills. Logical thinking, data entry accuracy, and a quick learning aptitude are highly valued. Our client provides training on their specific systems, and Staffing Service can often offer guidance on foundational skills. Understanding the interplay between these technologies is what separates a good planner from a great one.

Beyond the Plan: Career Pathways from This Role

A Transport Planner position is rarely a dead-end job; it is a springboard into a rewarding career within the vast logistics and supply chain industry. This role provides a holistic view of how goods move, offering experience that is valued across multiple sectors. For the high-performing candidate, several progression routes are common:

1. Vertical Progression within Transport: Demonstrating excellence in planning can lead to a Senior Transport Planner role, often involving mentoring junior staff, handling key accounts, or managing more complex multi-modal operations. The next step is frequently a Transport Supervisor or Team Leader position, where you would oversee a team of planners and take on more strategic responsibility for fleet performance and budgeting.
2. Lateral Moves into Broader Supply Chain: The skills are highly transferable. Planners often move into Demand Planning, Inventory Management, or Customer Logistics roles. Your understanding of distribution constraints makes you invaluable in planning stock levels or designing customer delivery solutions.
3. Specialisation: You might develop expertise in a niche area such as Hazardous Goods logistics, International Freight forwarding (building on import/export knowledge), or Transport Analytics, becoming the go-to person for data-driven decision-making.
4. Management: With further experience and qualifications, the path is open to Transport Manager, Logistics Manager, or Head of Distribution roles. These positions focus on strategy, compliance, contract negotiation, and leading large teams.

Staffing Service is committed to supporting your long-term career goals. When you register with us, we don't just look at your immediate fit for this role; we discuss your ambitions. We can alert you to upskilling opportunities, temporary assignments in different parts of the supply chain to broaden your experience, and permanent positions that match your desired career trajectory. Our role is to be your partner in building a sustainable career in Nottingham's thriving logistics sector.

The Nottingham NG1 Advantage: A Premier Logistics Hub

Choosing a Transport Planner role in Nottingham NG1 is a strategic career decision. Nottingham is a central cog in the UK's distribution network, offering unique advantages for logistics professionals:

• Strategic Geographic Location: Positioned at the heart of England, Nottingham provides unparalleled access to the national motorway network (M1, A1, A42/M42). This allows planners to efficiently service not just the Midlands, but also the North, South, and key ports with comparative ease, making the operations complex and varied.
• Diverse Industry Base: The region hosts major distribution centres for leading retail, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and e-commerce companies. This diversity means planners gain exposure to different types of goods, service level agreements, and operational challenges, making them highly adaptable and sought-after professionals.
• Investment in Infrastructure: Ongoing developments in sustainable transport and digital infrastructure around the East Midlands ensure that logistics businesses here are often early adopters of new technology, providing planners with cutting-edge tools and experience.
• Career Community: Nottingham boasts a dense network of logistics companies, from global 3PLs to specialised hauliers. This creates a vibrant job market where talent is recognised and mobility between companies is common, allowing for rapid career advancement for skilled individuals.

Working as a Transport Planner in this environment means your skills are being honed in one of the most dynamic and demanding logistics landscapes in the country. The experience gained here is a gold standard on your CV, respected by employers nationwide. Staffing Service's deep local knowledge means we can guide you to the roles and companies within Nottingham NG1 that best align with your expertise and growth objectives.