Planning and Scheduling Team Leader

The Planning & Scheduling Team Leader coordinates daily route planning, the execution of dispatching, and the driver teams within healthcare processes. This operational leadership role at a tactical level combines operational planning oversight with team leadership to optimize dynamic route planning, maintain high driver occupancy rates, meet healthcare distribution standards, and consistently meet strict Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for patients.

1. Team Leadership & Daily Operational Execution

• Directing, coaching, and guiding the daily activities of the planning and dispatching team, focused on a collaborative and results-oriented work environment.
• Managing shift handovers, daily work distribution, and coverage planning to ensure uninterrupted planning activities during operational hours.
• Acting as the first point of contact and escalation point for drivers, customer service, and service technicians regarding daily route disruptions, weather delays, or urgent service requests.

1. Route Optimization & Dynamic Route Planning

• Maintaining supervision over and refining daily route and planning schedules for drivers and service technicians across all therapy areas: Oxygen, Infusion, Light Therapy, and Respiratory Care.
• Achieving maximum fleet efficiency through automated trip optimization, order bundling (grouping orders by geographic proximity or the same address), and workload distribution over multiple days.
• Applying dynamic route planning and slot selection frameworks to integrate urgent "hot" visits (emergency installations, breakdowns, collection orders) without disrupting planned maintenance appointments.
• Supervising the performance of external subcontractors, service levels of couriers, and protocols for calling up additional transport capacity when the own fleet is full.

1. Operational Efficiency & System Integration

• Streamlining order processing flows between ERP systems (MS Dynamics NAV / Business Central) and Salesforce CRM to prevent logistical backlogs.
• Guiding the transition from manual dispatching to structured, automated supply and planned trip cycles.
• Collaborating with IT and project teams for the operational redesign and application of advanced route planning software, mobile PDA updates, and automated delivery notifications for patients.

1. SLA Compliance, Quality & Regulation

• Monitoring and enforcing operational SLAs for all central categories of patient requests:
• Patient intakes: Lead time and processing accuracy.
• Repeat orders & Prescription changes: Administrative processing time and order validation.
• Emergency deliveries: Rapid response (e.g., a 4-hour SLA for critical oxygen installations).
• Ensuring strict compliance with healthcare regulations, including Good Distribution Practice (GDP) for medical devices/oxygen, AVG/GDPR privacy legislation, and safety standards within all logistical activities.
• Analyzing operational bottlenecks and deviations in lead times to drive continuous improvement of patient satisfaction and service reliability.

1. Availability

• Work schedule: preferably full-time (40 hours)
• Work location: at the office

• Professional Experience: 3 to 5 years of experience in transport planning, logistics dispatching, or field service planning, preferably within healthcare logistics, pharmacy, or medical device distribution.
• Leadership Capabilities: 1 to 3 years of experience in a role as a team leader, supervisor, or senior planner/dispatcher, focused on daily team coordination and operational coaching.

• Planning Software: Demonstrable experience with automated route optimization software (e.g., Ritplan, Routine, Ortec, PTV, Quintiq, or similar systems).
• Enterprise Software: Experience with ERP systems (Microsoft Dynamics NAV / Business Central preferred) and CRM tools (Salesforce).
• Data Skills: Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables) and operational reporting tools (Power BI) for analyzing KPIs and driver metrics.

• Familiarity with Good Distribution Practice (GDP) guidelines and handling medical equipment/medical gases is a strong plus.
• Basic knowledge of the Dutch Working Hours Act (Arbeidstijdenwet) regarding driving and rest times.

• Languages: Excellent command of the Dutch and English languages (both spoken and written) is essential for daily communication with Dutch drivers, field staff, and local management.
• Problem-solving skills: Stress-resistant with strong skills in resolving conflicts and operational bottlenecks during dynamic route changes or emergency requests.
• Stakeholder Management: Able to build strong working relationships with Account Managers and HCC.

At Air Liquide, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces the diversity of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders, and cultures throughout the world.

We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their background. We are convinced that a diverse organization offers people the opportunity to express their talent, both individually and collectively, and that it fosters our ability to innovate by living our principles, acting for our success, and creating an engaging environment in a changing world.