Development Planner

Development Planner
Up to £45,000 plus great benefits (work level 6A)
Hybrid with some national travel required (1 day in any Co-op office per week) 
2x 6 months secondments available

In line with the Internal Mobility Policy, we’d like to make you aware that there are preferred candidates who have been identified for this opportunity.

We’re looking for an experienced Paragon transport modeller to join us and help us deliver our Delivery Service Model Programme.  We’ll look at how we best use the resources in our Group network to ensure an efficient logistics service is on offer for years to come, which in turn will contribute to delivering our Co-op difference to our expanded members, customers, independent retailers and communities up and down the country.

As a Development Planner, you’ll be focusing on finding opportunities to build a more efficient operation and designing and developing different transport network modelling scenarios using Paragon and Optilogic software. It’s a big and varied role where no two days will be the same. One day you’ll be crunching data, working with spreadsheets and building models on Paragon; the next day you’ll be linking in with depots and building relationships with key partners across our network to understand how we operate and find opportunities for improvement. If you’re an analytical person with Paragon experience and are looking for a challenge, then we can offer you the unique opportunity to play a key role in one of the most high-profile projects we’ve ever tackled here at Co-op.

What you’ll do

• Use Paragon Planning and Optiloigic software to design and develop accurate transport modelling scenarios
• Make sure all models consider all challenges any change to the network may bring; including maintaining suitable depot volume levels, headcount impacts, timings and impact of other projects and key business events amongst others
• Work closely and cross-functionally across the  Food Business  and the partners to support the design and build of a robust solution
• Build and maintain meaningful relationships with the wider Group logistics teams s
• Use your data analysis skills and experience to provide technical advice to senior leaders and support critical decision making
• Visit depots and work with teams at all levels across Logistics to gain a deep understanding of the operation and supply chain

This role would suit people who have

• Proven transport modelling experience using Paragon Planning software
• Strong analytical skills; you’re a proficient Excel user who can manipulate large data sets to gain insight and present it in a clear and concise way
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical information to technical and non-technical audiences in a simple and compelling way
• A talent for building meaningful relationships with a wide range of partners and leaders at all levels across the business
• The ability to think on their feet and a problem-solving approach

Why Co-op?

At Co-op, we’re owned by our members. And because we’re owned by you, we can do right by you. So when you join us, you’re not just taking a job, you’re joining a movement. We’re an organisation that puts people and communities first, and we’re powered by purpose. We want this to be a place where you can thrive, so you’ll also receive:

• An annual bonus (based on personal and business performance)
• 28 days holiday (rising to 32 with service) plus bank holidays 
• A pension with up to 10% employer contributions
• Access to a subsidised onsite gym (at our Manchester HQ)
• Coaching and training to support your career development
• Wagestream app – giving you access to a percentage of your pay as you earn

Building a diverse environment

We’re actively building diverse teams and we welcome applications from everyone. If you have a disability, we can make reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process according to your needs. We're also part of the Disability Confident scheme, meaning we'll always offer an interview to disabled candidates who apply through the scheme if they meet the minimum criteria for a job.

We'll ask whether you’d like to be considered under the Disability Confident scheme when you apply.

If we invite you to take part in the recruitment process for any of our jobs, we’ll ask you if you need any reasonable adjustments to enable you to participate.

You can find out more about our recruitment process at jobs.coop.co.uk/apply-process

You can find out more about the Disability Confident scheme at Disability Confident Scheme - Co-op Colleagues and more about our commitments to diversity and inclusion at Diversity and Inclusion

Please note that we may close applications for this role early.

As part of your application, you'll need to complete an online assessment. This assessment typically takes up to 50 minutes. If you're a current Co-op colleague, this does not need to be completed.