A Day In The Life Of A Transport Planner

We recently caught up with our very own Ben Alker, Transport Planner here at The Barnes Group to find out about his career journey and what a typical day looks like for a Transport Planner like Ben.

What does your role as a Transport Planner entail?

I deal with the day to day operational running of the drivers and I plan each individual drivers’ day, including the organisation of what sites they are going to and where they are delivering. I monitor the drivers once they are on the road and advise customers if drivers are going to run into any delays. Adhering to driving rules and regulations is something I have to carefully monitor every day to make sure drivers and vehicles are sent on the road legally.

Can you tell us about your career journey, how did you get your job at The Barnes Group?

I have 2 years previous experience working in the transport/haulage industry, working for Eddie Stobart. I enjoy the transport industry as I find it challenging and no two days are the same. I wanted to progress in the transport industry and build on the knowledge I already previously obtained.

What does a typical day (or week!) look like for you?

A typical day for me would be to complete a plan for the following day. This would mean I have to make sure all our load requirements are confirmed and on the system. This is then followed by allocating a suitable driver and unit. Dependant on the day this can be a challenge and we may have to call in additional support from agency drivers in the local area. After we plan for the following day, we monitor the current drivers that are on the road, constantly feeding back any problems we foresee to customers and drivers.

What would you recommend to others looking to join the industry?

I would recommend for people to go for it, if they are looking to get into the transport industry. I was quite lucky and fell into this career path, but I enjoy my work. This industry is fast-paced, challenging and good problem-solving skills are always crucial.

To find out more information on working life at The Barnes group, click here.