Despatch Planner

About the Role

We are seeking a high‑calibre Despatch Planner with strong planning skills, excellent communication, and confidence using business systems. Based at our Birmingham (Smethwick) site—one of our key operational hubs—you will join us during an exciting period of operational modernisation following the implementation of a new scanning system.

You will be responsible for planning, monitoring, and reviewing the daily production schedule and UK‑wide transport plan, working closely with the Despatch Team Leader and wider teams to ensure departmental targets are met.

This is a fast‑paced, hands‑on role requiring strong organisation and problem‑solving skills. You will help deliver world‑class customer service through efficient scheduling, accurate documentation, and smooth goods flow on and off site.

You will also contribute to continuous improvement by identifying and implementing changes that enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and improve on‑time, in‑full (OTIF) performance.

Key Responsibilities: (included but not limited)

Daily Planning & Scheduling

• Plan daily vehicle schedules, ensuring all lorries are allocated for the following day across UK-wide delivery and collection points.

• Manage and allocate vehicle types up to 44T HGV’s.

• Assess capacity and plan loads to ensure routes are optimised and cost effective.

• Coordinate day-rate and contract vehicles to maximise efficiency and ensure compliance with agreed terms.

• Maximise load utilisation to reduce empty running and improve overall transport efficiency.

Operations & Coordination

• Liaise closely with Production to understand priorities, product availability, and loading times.

• Prepare all despatch paperwork including delivery notes, manifests, labels and compliance documents.

• Create and issue accurate despatch work labels within required timelines.

• Arrange inbound and outbound transport from multiple suppliers and external partners.

• Communicate with Customer Services in the Birmingham office regarding order status, timings, amendments, and updates.

Load & Material Management

• Manage loads involving pallets, cardboard, raw board, and stock, ensuring correct allocation and handling.

• Coordinate supplier collections and internal transfers, ensuring steady material flow.

• Maintain essential despatch materials such as pallets and labels, ensuring stock availability.

Workload & Efficiency

• Balance the daily despatch workload, including managing early-morning peaks and preventing bottlenecks from 6am onwards.

• Complete all PM tasks, including next‑day planning and preparation.

• Monitor and reduce waiting times, avoiding unnecessary waiting charges.

About You

We’re seeking a proactive, detail‑focused individual with strong organisational and communication skills. Ideally, you will have:

Minimum Requirements:

• Experience in transport planning, logistics, or despatch operations (manufacturing or FMCG experience advantageous).

• Strong understanding of vehicle capacities, load planning, and route efficiency.

• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment with early‑morning operational peaks.

• Confidence in liaising with production teams, transport partners, and customer service teams.

• Excellent attention to detail, particularly in paperwork, scheduling, and compliance.

• Problem-solving ability, especially around load allocation, delays, or capacity constraints.

• A collaborative, hands-on approach and willingness to support the wider team.

Benefits

Additional benefits include:

• ife assurance

• Income protection

• Employee assistance program

• Cycle to work scheme

• Shopping discounts

• Staff canteen area with facilities

• On site parking

• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays

• Pension scheme

Location: Birmingham (Smethwick)

Working Pattern: On Site – Monday to Thursday 08:00 – 16:00/ Friday 08:00 – 15:00

About us

We’re DS Smith, the company who are redefining packaging for a changing world.  We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. Today, we operate in more than 30 different countries, supporting customers across sectors like FMCG, industrial, and e-commerce. We deliver on quality, service, innovation, and added value to deliver market-leading sustainable packaging solutions our customers need. Our industry needs to transform, and we’re building the team to drive change across Europe and North America

To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. 

Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.

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