Transport Distribution Planner

Waitrose; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK grocery retailer is seeking a Transport Distribution Planner in Milton Keynes. This role is crucial for managing the planning of vehicle distributions and stock volumes across its distribution centres. You will manage relationships with transport partners and ensure service agreements are met through effective communication and planning. Required skills include a good knowledge of IT systems and preferably experience with Paragon software. This position offers a salary range of £30,000 to £46,500 and is on a permanent basis.

Qualifications

• Good working knowledge of IT systems, including Microsoft and Google.
• Experience with Paragon software.

Responsibilities

• Produce and maintain a daily transport schedule.
• Plan deliveries across National Distribution Centres.
• Produce daily reports to minimize distribution costs.
• Communicate the transport schedule with various stakeholders.
• Provide outstanding service to operational customers.
• Participate in stock migration and strategy initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with working time directives and regulations.
• Communicate to ensure KPIs are achieved and maintained.

Skills

Good working knowledge of IT systems

Paragon software experience

Tools

Microsoft

Google

Job description

Apply on JLP Jobs - the official careers website for John Lewis Partnership, John Lewis & Partners, and Waitrose & Partners.

About the role

The Transport Distribution Planner is a key support role managing the outbound planning of vehicles and volumes of stock from our John Lewis National Distribution Centres. This role suits someone who can plan effectively while maintaining a high level of accuracy. The role will develop and maintain relationships and negotiating skills with Transport Partners and National Distribution Operational Teams. High levels of communication via Email and telephone will be required, so the ability to communicate effectively with a large number of stakeholders is essential.

• Salary – £30,000 - £46,500 (pay will be within the region of £30,000‑£36,000)

• Contract type – Permanent

• Working pattern – 5 week rota 2 weeks Mon‑Fri 6am‑2pm, Tues‑Sat 6am‑2pm, Mon‑Fri 10am‑6pm, Mon‑Fri 12pm‑8pm

• Location – Magna Park – Milton Keynes

Key responsibilities

• Produce and maintain a strategic and operational daily transport schedule that supports the budget and ensures all service level agreements are maintained.

• Plan deliveries across the National Distribution Centres to all JLP Branches, Customer Delivery Hubs, Waitrose Stores and Third Party Warehouses including backhaul collections and stock moves where applicable.

• Produce daily reports against the schedule that are accurate, practical, and legal and aim to minimise costs of distribution using the available scheduling software tool.

• Co‑ordinate and communicate the transport schedule with the National Distribution Centre’s, Customer Delivery Hubs, selling Branches and Third Party Warehousing.

• Provide outstanding service and technical support to operational customers such as Transport Operations, Branches, CDHs, DCs and other departments.

• Participate in other work and initiatives as required, for example Stock migration, collaboration and peak/off‑peak strategies.

• Ensure the daily plan complies with current working time directives and EU drivers' hours regulations.

• Consistently communicate with all stakeholders to ensure KPIs and targets are achieved and maintained.

Essential skills/experience you’ll need

• Good working knowledge of IT systems – Microsoft and Google.

• Paragon software experience.

Desirable skills/experience you may have

• Crystal Reporting.

Just to confirm that interviews for this position will be held in January 2026.

The partnership

We’re the largest employee‑owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.

We continually innovate, adapt and diversify, never knowingly undersold on price, quality and service for John Lewis and passionately serving food‑lovers in Waitrose.

As Partners we all share responsibility for ownership and enjoy its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect.

We embrace our differences and create an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can thrive. Growing ourselves individually and as a collective.

Important points to note: It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre‑employment vetting (including DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third‑party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some roles. We occasionally close vacancies early due to a high volume of applications, so we recommend you apply early. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability which means you may need longer to complete your application please contact us as soon as possible. We want all of our Partners to have a good work‑life balance and support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.