Freelance Transport Planner – West Flanders
Location: West Flanders
Contract: Freelance
Working Model: Hybrid
Industry: Transport & Logistics
Languages: Dutch & English required; French preferred; English-only candidates considered
Systems: TAS/Transfix or comparable TMS experience required
Job Description
We are looking for an experienced Freelance Senior Transport Planner / Planner Lead to join a leading transport and logistics company operating across West and East Flanders.
This is a senior planning and technical expertise role. You will not have direct line-management responsibility for the planning team, but you will act as a technical point of reference and mentor for other planners.
You will use your experience in transport planning and TMS systems to support the planning team, help solve complex operational challenges and improve planning processes. You will also provide guidance and coaching to less experienced planners, sharing best practices and helping to raise the overall technical level of the team.
The role is ideal for an experienced Transport Planner who wants to take a lead/mentoring position with an operational focus.
Key Responsibilities
- Take a senior role within the transport planning function, supporting the day-to-day planning operation.
- Act as a technical expert and point of reference for other Transport Planners.
- Mentor and coach planners, helping them develop their planning skills and knowledge of transport systems.
- Support colleagues with complex planning issues and provide practical solutions to operational challenges.
- Plan and optimise daily transport activities, considering customer requirements, driver availability, vehicle capacity, routes and working-time regulations.
- Use TAS/Transfix or another comparable TMS to create, manage and optimise transport plans.
- Help planners get the most from the TMS and support best practices in system usage.
- Identify opportunities to improve planning processes, system utilisation and operational efficiency.
- Monitor transport planning performance and identify areas for improvement.
- Support route optimisation, vehicle utilisation and driver allocation.
- Assist with resolving last-minute changes, delays, breakdowns, absences and other operational disruptions.
- Work closely with drivers, Transport Management, Fleet Management and other internal stakeholders.
- Ensure planning activities comply with relevant driving, working-time and transport regulations.
- Contribute to continuous improvement projects within the transport planning function.
- Help standardise planning processes and share knowledge across the team.
- Act as a senior escalation point for complex planning and TMS-related questions.
Candidate Profile
We are looking for an experienced Transport Planner with strong technical and TMS knowledge who is ready to take on a senior mentoring role.
You will ideally have:
- Several years of experience in transport planning, fleet planning or transport operations.
- Strong experience planning road transport / truck operations.
- Excellent knowledge of transport planning processes and route optimisation.
- Strong experience with TAS/Transfix or another TMS.
- The ability to act as a technical expert and mentor for other planners.
- Experience supporting or coaching colleagues is highly advantageous.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- The confidence to challenge existing processes and suggest improvements.
- Good knowledge of driving and working-time regulations.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to explain technical or operational concepts clearly.
- A hands-on, pragmatic and solution-oriented approach.