Inbound Container Planner

Inbound Container Planner

(32-38 hours)

How You Contribute to Action

At Action, our supply chain is the backbone of our success. As an Inbound Container Planner, you play a critical role in ensuring a smooth and efficient flow of Direct Import containers from Asia to our European hubs and distribution centers. Working within the Direct Import Inbound team, you will help secure product availability across our growing store network by monitoring deliveries, managing exceptions, optimizing inbound flows, and collaborating closely with internal and external partners.

You will be part of the Direct Import Inbound department, responsible for the operational management of the Direct Import flow between Asia and Europe, from origin operations through delivery to Action’s distribution and hub network. The team also drives operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives across inbound logistics.

What You'll Do

As an Inbound Container Planner, you report to the Manager DI Destination Logistics & Services and are responsible for ensuring containers arrive at the right location, at the right time, and at the lowest possible cost.

Your responsibilities include:

• Monitoring delivery performance of Direct Import orders and containers.
• Ensuring efficient container flows while minimizing logistics costs.
• Following up on delivery issues, operational exceptions, and disruptions.
• Managing exceptions across all shipment milestones to minimize impact on required delivery dates.
• Monitoring and evaluating the performance of logistics service providers, freight forwarders, and ocean carriers.
• Reviewing and approving invoices from Direct Import logistics service providers.
• Monitoring and maintaining KPIs within your area of responsibility and ensuring targets are achieved.
• Coordinating with Supply Chain Planning, Network Planning, Tactical Planning, Hubs, and Distribution Centers to ensure sufficient inbound capacity.
• Reviewing network capacity against inbound forecasts and proactively balancing stock levels while preventing inbound backlogs.
• Supporting the development of future shipping plans by maintaining system lead times and central administration of import lead times.
• Identifying process bottlenecks, analyzing root causes, and driving continuous improvement initiatives using Lean management principles.
• Building strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external logistics partners to continuously improve supply chain performance.

What We Offer

Surprisingly much! From our international headquarters in the Netherlands you have an impact on what happens in our stores across Europe. We welcome more than 22 million customers every week in more than 3,300 stores in 15 European countries. And we have big growth ambitions. For Action and you. Because our growth means that you can always take new steps. A different job, an interesting innovation project, and new skills: as a professional, you can develop without limits. And all this in a culture where our shared values are truly lived: customer focus, teamwork, simplicity, discipline, cost consciousness, and respect.

How we contribute to society

If you only know Action from the stores, a world will open up for you when you come and work with us. We work hard to make a positive impact on society and the environment. Did you know, for example, that we support thousands of children worldwide who grow up in an SOS Children's Village? That our team reflects the diversity of our customers, including over 160 different nationalities? That we purchase over 99% of our cocoa, cotton and timber products sustainably? And that all our stores, DC’s and offices only use energy-efficient LED lighting? Yes, that is also Action. Curious about what other initiatives we’re facilitating? There’s a lot more we are proud of and we would love for you to be part of it.

Meet Your Team

You will join the Direct Import Inbound department, which manages the logistics flow between suppliers and warehouses across Asia and Europe. The team focuses on ensuring products move efficiently through our international supply chain while continuously improving operational performance and network effectiveness.

In this role, you will work closely with freight forwarders, ocean carriers, distribution centers, hubs, planning teams, and various supply chain stakeholders across the organization.

What You Bring

You are analytical, proactive, and thrive in a dynamic international logistics environment. You enjoy solving operational challenges, working with data, and collaborating with multiple stakeholders to achieve the best possible results.

Additionally, you have:

• A Bachelor's degree.
• 4-6 years of relevant experience within Supply Chain, Logistics, Transportation, or a related field.
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Strong understanding of supply chain and logistics processes.
• Cross-functional process knowledge and the ability to work across departments.
• Strong analytical skills and affinity with numbers.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Interested?

Take action and apply now!

The next steps:

Our recruiter will review your application and get back to you as soon as possible

If shortlisted, you will be invited for a first interview

A second interview will follow

If we are a match, you will become our new colleague!

Ready to take the next step in your career? Join us at Action!