National Planning & Network Manager – Wigan

The National Planning & Network Manager is responsible for the strategic planning, optimisation and development of ArrowXL's national delivery and trunking network. The role provides leadership across forecasting, capacity planning, network design, route optimisation and resource deployment to ensure the business delivers a cost-effective, scalable and customer-focused operation.

Working closely with Operational, Finance and Transport teams, the role will identify opportunities to enhance network efficiency, support business growth, improve service performance and maximise fleet utilisation across the ArrowXL network.

As a senior operational leader, the National Planning & Network Manager will drive continuous improvement, oversee planning performance and provide strategic insight to support future network development and investment decisions.

If you're ready to lead a major operation, shape its culture, and drive meaningful improvement, we'd love to hear from you. For a confidential conversation, contact careers@arrowxl.co.uk - or apply today.

What will the role involve?

• Lead the national planning function, ensuring effective forecasting, capacity planning and resource allocation across the network.
• Continuously review and optimise the geographical positioning of ArrowXL’s depots across the UK, assessing whether the current network remains fit for purpose based on volume flows, customer locations, service requirements, transport costs and future business growth.
• Ensure the profitability of delivery and transport routes by continuously analysing the revenue generated against associated operational and subcontracting costs. Identify unprofitable or underperforming routes and work closely with Operations, Finance and Commercial teams to implement corrective actions, improve route economics and restore profitability.
• Develop network models to support growth opportunities, depot developments, customer onboarding and operational change projects.
• Analyse transport and delivery performance data to identify trends, risks and improvement opportunities.
• Drive fleet utilisation improvements across final mile, trunking and returns operations.
• Ensure planning processes, systems and controls support operational delivery and future business requirements.
• Develop and maintain planning, forecasting and performance reporting tools.
• Work closely with Commercial teams to assess the operational impact of new business opportunities and customer requirements.
• Support budgeting and capacity planning processes through accurate forecasting and modelling.
• Lead and develop the planning team, providing coaching, guidance and performance management.
• Act as the subject matter expert for planning systems, routing solutions and network optimisation tools.
• Ensure compliance with transport legislation, working time regulations and operational standards.
• Deliver continuous improvement initiatives that enhance productivity, service and cost performance.
• Build effective relationships with depot leaders and senior stakeholders across the business.
• Provide strategic recommendations to the senior leadership team regarding network design, fleet requirements and operational capability.

What are we looking for? 

• • Significant experience within transport planning, network planning or logistics operations management.
  • Proven experience managing planning functions within a national, multi-site operation.
  • Strong knowledge of final mile delivery, trunking, general haulage and transport operations.
  • Experience developing forecasting, capacity planning and network optimisation solutions.
  • Advanced experience using transport management and planning systems, ideally Descartes LNOS and WinRoute.
  • Strong analytical capability with advanced Excel and reporting skills.
  • Experience interpreting large volumes of operational data and translating findings into business improvements.
  • Proven people leadership and team development experience.
  • Strong stakeholder management skills with experience influencing senior operational and commercial leaders.
  • Excellent understanding of UK transport legislation, Working Time Directive and Operator Licence requirements.
  • Commercially aware with experience evaluating the operational impact of growth and change initiatives.
    

Desirable:

• CPC qualified, with a strong understanding of transport legislation, operator licensing requirements, driver hours regulations and compliance within a national transport operation.
• Experience leading planning system implementations or technology change projects.
• Experience supporting network redesign, depot openings or large-scale operational change.
• Experience within home delivery, 3PL, parcel, retail logistics or associated transport environments.
• Knowledge of data visualisation tools such as Power BI.

What’s in it for you? What are the benefits?

At ArrowXL, we’re always striving to make the world of delivery a better place.When you join us, you’ll receive a comprehensive salary and benefits package - but more than that, you’ll become part of an organisation that values collaboration, innovation, and personal growth.

Some of the benefits of working with us include:

• Annual Leave – 34 days entitlement (including statutory bank holidays) which increases with service
• Holiday Buy Scheme – Buy up to 5 additional days
• Competitive Pension Plan options – Plus company contributions
• Private Medical Insurance – via Bupa
• Life Insurance – Company funded 2x basic salary life cover from day one
• Medicash – An easy-to-use health insurance package that provides cashback towards your everyday healthcare bills
• Employee Assistance Programme – Free 24/7 confidential wellbeing support
• Progression and Development Opportunities – Department specific technical training and Internal Management Development Academies
• Staff Discount at www.very.co.uk (25% discount on designer branded clothing, footwear and home accessories with 15% off furniture, leisure and electrical items)
• Discounted Gym Membership – Up to 25% discount across 3700 nationally located gyms, health clubs, leisure Centres, bootcamps and fitness studios
• Cycle to work scheme – In partnership with Halfords, the ArrowXL C2W scheme offers great benefits and discounts
• Long service awards – We go out of our way to recognise and reward our colleague commitment with our long service awards programme
• Employee of the month – Winners receive £25 voucher, certificate and Hall of fame recognition
• CEO Award of the month – Winners receive £100 voucher, certificate and Hall of fame recognition
• Departmental Incentives – Year-round departmental competitions, seasonal incentives and fantastic gifts
• Retail Discounts – Huge discount savings in supermarkets (Asda, Tesco, Morrison’s and Sainsburys), Fashion discounts with (Adidas, Asos, H&M, Boohoo, JD and Matalan) and Technology discounts with (Apple, Argos, Currys/PC World and John Lewis), plus many more savings

How to Apply

It’s quick and easy to apply online - just have your up-to-date CV ready and follow the step-by-step application process. We’re excited to hear from you!

At ArrowXL, we’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We’re committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive, regardless of background.If you're invited to interview and need any adjustments during the process, please let us know - we’ll do everything we can to make your experience smooth and positive.

We’re a business built on championing strong values. These guide everything we do - from how we deliver to how we support our people:

Ready to make an impact?

Apply now and take the next step in your career with ArrowXL!