Network Planning Manager
Location: Derbyshire
Salary: £50,000 per annum + Car Allowance
Hours: Permanent
About the Role
We\'re looking for a highly capable Network Planning Manager to lead a busy Traffic Department and drive continuous improvement across a nationwide retail transport network. This role combines hands‑on operational leadership with strategic planning and data‑driven optimisation. You will shape how freight moves through the network, enhance fleet utilisation, reduce empty mileage and costs, and ensure all activities meet service, compliance, and safety standards. You\'ll collaborate closely with operations, commercial teams, and customer‑facing functions to deliver a best‑in‑class transport operation.
Key Responsibilities
Traffic Operations
* Lead the Traffic Department, ensuring daily planning meets service, safety, and compliance requirements.
* Develop team capability through coaching, structured training, and performance management.
* Maintain consistent use of planning processes, communication standards, and escalation procedures.
Network & Route Planning
* Maximise fleet utilisation using effective route design, pallet optimisation, and reduction of empty running.
* Identify network inefficiencies and collaborate with internal teams to implement solutions.
* Reduce driver downtime through proactive and efficient resource planning.
* Lead initiatives to reduce unnecessary spend on subcontractors and third‑party logistics providers.
Systems, Reporting & Data Quality
* Ensure full and accurate use of the Transport Management System, capturing all required data.
* Use reporting tools to highlight inefficiencies and provide visibility of network performance.
* Conduct audits to ensure process adherence and data accuracy.
* Support development of dashboards and system‑based optimisation tools.
Performance & Continuous Improvement
* Produce weekly and periodic reporting on pallets, routes, utilisation, network efficiency, and cost‑to‑serve.
* Lead improvement initiatives to strengthen service performance and reduce operational cost.
* Support planning for peak events, customer onboarding, and structural network changes.
Skills & Competencies
* Strong analytical capability with experience interpreting transport data and route performance.
* Proficiency with Transport Management Systems (Qargo experience advantageous).
* High attention to detail with a commitment to data integrity and process accuracy.
* Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills.
* Strong organisational capability with the ability to balance daily operations and medium‑term planning.
* Fluent English language skills.
Preferred Experience
* Background in transport planning, network planning or traffic management within logistics, haulage or parcel operations.
* Proven experience improving route efficiency, fleet utilisation, and cost performance.
* Knowledge of UK transport regulations, driver hours, compliance standards and palletised operations.
* Experience in data‑driven roles such as forecasting, planning or optimisation.
Why Join?
This role offers the chance to directly shape and enhance a nationwide retail transport network. Responsibilities will evolve as you grow in your career, offering ongoing development and opportunity to make a significant operational impact.
About Cast UK
Cast UK is a leading executive consultancy, providing national recruitment solutions to both clients and candidates. Specialising in Business Change & Transformation, HR, Procurement, Buying, Supply Chain, and Logistics, each member of our specialist team has a professional background specific to their recruiting sector. With this unique insight and knowledge, our consultants are able to place individuals from trainee through to main board. For more information on Cast UK and a complete list of all of our current vacancies, please visit www.castuk.com
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