Transport Planning Lead
Location: East Flanders, Belgium
Contract: Freelance (initially 3–6 months)
Working model: On-site
Language: Dutch preferred
The Role
We are looking for a Transport Planning Lead to take ownership of transport operations, combining hands-on planning with responsibility for fleet, maintenance and longer-term transport strategy.
The role will initially be approximately 80% operational, with the potential to develop into a more managerial and strategic position as the organisation grows.
The successful candidate will play a key role in improving transport efficiency while helping shape the company’s future planning and technology landscape.
Key Responsibilities
Transport Planning & Operations
- Take a leading role in day-to-day transport planning and operational coordination.
- Support and optimise transport schedules, routes, capacity and vehicle utilisation.
- Work closely with planners, drivers and operational stakeholders to resolve issues and maintain service levels.
- Monitor transport performance, productivity and operational efficiency.
- Identify opportunities to improve planning processes and reduce unnecessary transport costs.
- Act as a senior point of reference for the planning team.
Fleet & Maintenance
- Take ownership of fleet-related operational activities.
- Coordinate vehicle availability, maintenance and servicing requirements.
- Work with internal and external partners to minimise vehicle downtime.
- Monitor fleet utilisation and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Ensure transport operations are aligned with fleet capacity and availability.
Transport Strategy & Improvement
- Contribute to the development of the company’s transport strategy.
- Analyse current processes and identify opportunities for operational improvement.
- Support the implementation of new planning processes and ways of working.
- Provide input into future organisational and operational decisions.
- Help bridge the gap between day-to-day transport operations and longer-term strategic planning.
TMS & Tracking Implementation
The Transport Planning Lead will have an important role in:
- Supporting the evaluation and selection of the new TMS.
- Providing operational input into system requirements and functionality.
- Working with stakeholders to ensure the chosen solution fits the business.
- Supporting implementation and adoption within the planning operation.
- Helping shape the future transport planning and tracking processes.
Profile
We are looking for someone with strong practical transport planning experience who can operate at both an operational and strategic level.
Ideally, you will have:
- Strong experience in transport planning / transport operations.
- Experience working with fleets, vehicles and maintenance.
- A good understanding of transport efficiency, utilisation and operational KPIs.
- Experience with a TMS and/or transport planning technology.
- The ability to analyse existing processes and identify improvements.
- Confidence working with both operational teams and senior stakeholders.
- An interest in technology and experience supporting TMS implementations or system changes would be highly valuable.
- Strong organisational and problem-solving skills.