The posting
Senior Network Planning Manager Location: Coventry HubHybrid working available, subject to business needsSalary: £68,000Reporting to: Head of Operational Planning Own the plan behind a complex national parcel network. We're looking for an experienced Senior Network Planning Manager to lead end-to-end operational planning across our national hub, depot and transport network. You'll turn volume forecasts into robust, executable operational plans, ensuring we have the right capacity, processing capability, resource and transport requirements in place to achieve our service commitments. This is an end-to-end operational planning role, requiring an understanding of how forecast demand translates into activity across hubs, depots and transport. You'll bring these different elements together into one coordinated network plan, identifying constraints, balancing capacity and ensuring the operation is ready to deliver. From business-as-usual planning to Peak, Bank Holidays, Pay Weeks and other high-volume trading periods, you'll play a critical role in ensuring our network is prepared, resilient and performing at its best. This is a highly visible role working across Hub Operations, Depots, Transport, Commercial and Finance, using data and operational insight to influence key decisions and improve network performance. What You'll Be Doing As our Senior Network Planning Manager, you'll play a pivotal role in aligning volume forecasts, hub operations, depot processing plans, capacity and transport schedules to ensure our network operates efficiently and effectively. You'll:
Lead end-to-end operational and network planning across hubs, depots, transport and wider network operations to ensure service commitments are achieved. Translate volume forecasts into robust and executable capacity, processing, resource and transport plans. Develop data-driven operational plans that balance forecast demand, available capacity, cost, service and operational performance. Understand how volume moves through the network and ensure hub, depot and transport plans are aligned to support effective network flow. Identify and mitigate network constraints, timing, processing and capacity risks before they impact service, implementing effective contingency plans where required. Lead operational readiness planning for Peak trading periods, Bank Holidays, Pay Weeks and other critical or high-volume events. Develop scenario plans and contingency plans to improve network resilience and ensure the operation can respond effectively to changes in demand or capacity. Analyse operational and network performance, conduct post-event reviews, and use findings to drive continuous improvement. Use data, modelling and operational insight to identify trends, challenge assumptions and translate complex information into clear, actionable recommendations and decisions. Lead scenario planning and performance reviews to improve network efficiency, resilience, cost and service levels. Provide insight, challenge and recommendations to senior stakeholders, helping shape operational decisions across the network. Build strong relationships across Operations, Hub Operations, Depots, Transport, Commercial and Finance, ensuring plans are aligned and successfully delivered. Identify opportunities to improve network flow, processing capability, operational readiness, transport utilisation, service and cost. Support the continued development of planning tools, reporting frameworks and operational/network planning standards. Champion initiatives that improve operational readiness, network efficiency and overall performance.
What We're Looking For You'll have significant experience within operational, network, logistics or supply chain planning, ideally gained within a large, complex and fast-paced operation. Your experience will include developing or contributing to end-to-end operational plans, with an understanding of how forecast volume, processing capacity, operational resource and transport requirements interact across a wider network. You'll also bring:
Proven experience in operational, network or supply chain planning within a complex environment. Strong experience of volume forecasting and capacity planning, with an understanding of how transport scheduling and requirements integrate into the wider operational plan. A strong understanding of transport scheduling, volume forecasting and warehouse/hub operations and how these elements interact. Experience developing plans that consider volume, operational capacity, hub or warehouse processing, network flow and transport requirements. Experience planning for Peak trading periods, seasonal demand, Bank Holidays or other large-scale/high-volume operational events. Advanced analytical capability, including Excel modelling and scenario planning. The ability to analyse performance and translate complex operational data into clear recommendations and actionable decisions. Strong experience of scenario planning, risk assessment, problem-solving and contingency planning. The ability to identify operational, network, timing and capacity risks and develop appropriate mitigation plans. Confidence influencing and challenging senior stakeholders, communicating complex information clearly and constructively. Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to work effectively across Operations, Transport, Commercial and Finance. A structured, commercially aware and data-driven approach to operational planning and decision-making. A highly organised and resilient approach, with the ability to remain effective in a fast-paced and changing operational environment. A strong commitment to continuous improvement, professional development and operational excellence.
Experience within parcels, e-commerce, retail distribution, 3PL, FMCG or another large-scale logistics network would be particularly valuable. A degree-level qualification in Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations, Business Analytics or a related discipline would be beneficial, although equivalent relevant industry experience is equally valued. Why This Role? This isn't simply about producing a plan. You'll have the opportunity to influence how a major national network operates, shaping decisions around volume, capacity, processing capability, resource, transport and operational readiness during both business-as-usual and some of our most important trading periods. You'll work closely with senior leaders, solve complex network challenges and help us build a smarter, more resilient and higher-performing operation. We're looking for someone who can see the whole operational picture – understanding how volume forecasts translate into capacity requirements across hubs, depots and transport, and bringing those elements together into a practical and executable network plan. If you combine strong operational knowledge with data-led thinking and enjoy turning complex challenges into practical plans, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and help shape the future performance of our network.
