Trainee Logistics Planner

1) Planning Support & Job Allocation (Training Role)
Assist planners with daily scheduling of vehicles and drivers to meet customer requirements.
Learn how to allocate work based on:
Vehicle type and availability (e.g., artics, rigids, tippers, hookloaders, flatbeds)
Driver hours and legal compliance
Collection/delivery time windows, locations and site constraints
Help maintain the live planning board (TMS, spreadsheets, wall board, etc.) ensuring updates are accurate and timely.
Monitor and update job progress throughout the day (delays, diversions, re-plans, cancellations).
2) Customer Service & Communication
Answer incoming calls and emails professionally, acting as a reliable point of contact for customers, drivers, and sites.
Provide updates on ETAs, PODs, delays, and collection times in line with service standards.
Log customer requests accurately and escalate issues to the planner/manager when required.
Support with booking slots, confirming load details, and ensuring instructions are clear.
3) Driver Liaison & Operational Control
Communicate clearly with drivers on:
Job details, start times, route/site requirements
Changes due to traffic, site issues, breakdowns or late loads
Learn how to manage day-to-day operational issues including:
failed collections/deliveries
missed time slots
on-site refusals
wait time/detention
Record issues and actions taken to support investigation, invoicing, and service improvement.
4) Compliance & Administration (Supported Learning)
Assist with accurate completion and filing of operational paperwork, including:
delivery notes / PODs
job tickets / consignment notes (where relevant)
defect reporting logs
Support compliance processes under supervision, such as:
driver licence checks / inductions (where applicable)
tachograph/card downloads and scanning (depending on company process)
proof of delivery and customer billing support
Learn the basics of UK transport compliance, including:
drivers' hours rules and working time
vehicle safety checks and defect reporting
transport documentation standards
5) Continuous Improvement & Learning
Take part in structured on-the-job training with regular progress reviews.
Build competence in planning tools and systems (TMS, Excel, telematics portals, POD apps).
Contribute ideas to improve planning efficiency, communication, and customer service.
Demonstrate increasing autonomy over time (e.g., managing a small fleet, customer group, or specific contract lanes).

Smiths (Gloucester) Ltd is a family run business owned and run by the Smith family since 1982. Smiths has grown from a single owner-operated plant hire company to a multifaceted group with family values still firmly at the heart of each project undertaken. With depots in Avonmouth, Cardiff, Gloucester, Stonehouse and Tewkesbury we operate predominately across the South-West of England. We specialise in Construction, Waste Management, Plant Hire, Demolition and Transport operations.

Free on-site Parking
Corporate gym membership discount
Annual Salary Review
Employee discount (50% on Skip Hire, other discounts on group services)
Progression opportunities
24 hour unlimited access to mental health support
What are our core values?
If these values align with yours you are in the right place!
Honesty - We believe that honesty in all matters is the best policy.
Family values - We operate as a family unit with high moral standards, discipline and respect.
Hardworking - We are certain that nothing is impossible if you work hard enough at it.
Reliability - We pride ourselves on not letting people down and being true to our word.
Environmental sustainability - We aim to minimise the impact that our company has on the environment by reducing emissions and waste, and recycling a large proportion of our waste (90% plus). We truly believe in a greener future for generations to come.
Please apply if you are interested in this role and we will come back to you.