Company: ASDA
Role: Transport Planning Analyst
I work at Asda as a Transport Planning Analyst. My day-to-day role sits right at the point where operational planning meets data and technology. I manage Quintiq master data to make sure the information feeding into our planning systems is accurate, consistent, and controlled, because good planning is only possible when the data behind it can be trusted. Alongside that, I develop Excel and VBA tools that automate repetitive workflows, speed up reporting, and reduce the risk of human error. A big part of what I do is also cross-functional support—working with planning teams and technical partners to troubleshoot issues, improve how we use our systems, and make sure processes stay resilient even when priorities change quickly.
To do this role well, I’ve needed strong skills in data management, Excel and VBA development, and a solid understanding of transport and planning operations. It’s not just about building tools or maintaining data – it’s about knowing how the operation actually runs and what planners need in real life to make good decisions under time pressure. I’ve also had to become comfortable working across multiple teams, translating technical detail into practical outcomes, and applying governance and problem-solving to keep systems reliable. When something isn’t working as it should, the job is to find the root cause, fix it properly, and put something in place so it doesn’t keep happening.
I didn’t go to university. I started out as a general warehouse colleague and worked my way towards my current position by taking opportunities as they came up and building experience across the business. I didn’t find this role through a job site or a careers fair—my progression was much more organic than that. As I moved through different roles, I found myself naturally drawn to the technical, data-driven side of operations, especially the parts that involve improving processes and solving problems. Over time, that turned into growing responsibility and a clearer alignment between what I’m good at and what the business needed, until I reached a point where stepping into a specialist role like this made sense for everyone.
What attracted me to the position was that it matched the strengths I’d developed in previous roles – attention to detail, data accuracy, and a real interest in making systems and processes work better. I liked the idea of taking ownership of technical tasks that have a direct impact on day-to-day performance, and I also enjoy being someone colleagues can rely on when they need support. For me, it’s satisfying when a change you’ve made in the background – better data discipline, a smarter tool, a clearer process – translates into smoother planning, more confident decision-making, and fewer issues for the operation.
The skills that helped me realise I was suited to logistics came mainly from early work experience rather than the classroom. I learned to be organised, reliable, and comfortable working with numbers, schedules, and practical problem-solving. As I gained experience across different functions, I became more interested in planning and coordination, and I enjoyed the structure and pace of an environment where things need to be right, on time, and resilient to change. Logistics rewards people who can keep a clear head, spot what’s not working, and make improvements that hold up under pressure – and that’s exactly the kind of work I’ve always found motivating.
The best thing about my role is solving real problems and improving processes in a way that genuinely makes work easier and more efficient for the teams who rely on these systems every day. When you automate a workflow that used to take hours, or you fix an issue that’s been creating noise in reporting, you can feel the impact immediately. It’s not change for the sake of it – it’s practical improvement that helps people do their jobs better and supports the wider operation to run more smoothly.