TMS Route Planner

Job Purpose

Utilising market-leading route optimisation and planning software to plan and optimise daily route schedules with the objective of reducing overall distribution related costs. Furthermore, the Route Planner will be required to run strategic optimisation models to optimise fleet mix, service day, master routes and provide inputs to network modelling exercises.

Strategic imperatives that inform the role

Use a systematic approach to manage the end-to-end process from planning to the delivery of goods to the end destination (distribution centre, customer, or consumer). The Route Planner’s objective is to ensure that the right product in the right quantity is delivered to the specified destination within the set timeframe at the appropriate cost.

Operational Job Performance Criteria

Produce daily reports using the software on actual route information

• Ensure sufficient orders are pulling through in the route optimisation tool
• Check integration systems for failed orders
• Investigate and solve incomplete orders within the route optimisation tool
• Check and ensure clean master data and order information is received for planning purposes
• Minimise order anomalies within the route optimisation tool
• Continuously improve system parameters to ensure that the next routing is done more efficiently, including but not limited to the following:
  • Customer TAT’s
  • Depot TAT’s
  • Road Speeds
  • Road Network
  • Fleet
  • NDDs

Fleet Management: Review Fleet KPI’s

• Reviews with the operational heads to confirm the available fleet and to ensure that there are no other challenges/opportunities that may impact routing
• Work closely with the operational heads to ensure the successful execution of scheduled route plans
• Update parameters in the route optimisation tool with learnings from operations
• Initiate routing within the route optimisation tool according to service level requirements

To identify areas where additional cost can be saved

• Select the best route scenario using the following measures: vehicle lateness, utilisation, cost and kilometres

Planning route optimisation

• Check scheduled routes within the route optimisation tool and ensure that any inefficiencies are resolved
• Publish achievable and acceptable routes
• Ensure that all applicable and relevant orders have been planned

Order Management: Monitoring and Reporting

• Keep full & accurate records of diversions, in-plan vs in-trip
  • Determine rules changes required to increase order extract accuracy
  • Flag problematic order types
• Update Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) and produce various reports regarding routing and adherence

Competency Requirements

Qualifications and experience requirements

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in TMS routing
• BCom Logistics Degree or BCom (Logistics) Honours Degree will be an added advantage
• Supply chain planning experience is an essential requirement
• Relevant depot experience is beneficial
• Experience working in a fast paced, customer-centric environment

Other Information

• Please note that alternate weekend work (Saturday & Sunday) is mandatory, ie. planning urgent orders & execution of weekend deliveries
• Available on standby after hours to resolve transport or loading issues that may impact deliveries