Mountain Warehouse is a rapidly growing global retailer, with over 430 stores across the UK, Ireland, Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand, alongside a strong and expanding online presence. Since our founding, we’ve built a reputation for offering high-quality outdoor products at great value, supporting customers in enjoying the outdoors wherever they are.
The Freight Planning Analyst is responsible for freight reporting, data integrity, shipment visibility and performance analysis across the global inbound supply chain. Working closely with freight forwarding partners and internal stakeholders, the role provides accurate reporting and actionable insight, supports effective freight and inventory planning, and enables continuous improvement across global freight operations.
This is a 12 month Maternity Fixed Term Contract
Reports into: Global Freight Manager
Team: Freight / Supply Chain
The Freight Planning Analyst is responsible for freight reporting, data integrity, shipment visibility and performance analysis across the global inbound supply chain. Working closely with freight forwarding partners and internal stakeholders, the role provides accurate reporting and actionable insight, supports effective freight and inventory planning, and enables continuous improvement across global freight operations.
This is a 12 month Maternity Fixed Term Contract
Reports into: Global Freight Manager
Team: Freight / Supply Chain
Key accountabilities:
- Develop and maintain freight reporting tools, dashboards and performance metrics.
- Maintain Apollo as the single source of truth for freight and shipment data across the business.
- Improve data quality, reporting accuracy and shipment visibility with freight forwarding partners and internal teams.
- Analyse purchase order, shipment, transit-time, exception, service and cost data to identify trends, risks and opportunities.
- Produce regular KPI reporting and actionable performance insight for internal stakeholders and freight providers.
- Investigate freight exceptions, delays and data discrepancies and recommend corrective actions.
- Support freight planning, invoice validation and continuous improvement through accurate data and performance measurement.
Freight Data and Reporting
- Develop, maintain and improve freight reports, dashboards and performance metrics that provide clear visibility of global inbound activity.
- Create and maintain Apollo as the single source of truth for purchase order, shipment and freight data across the business.
- Complete regular data validation and reconciliation, resolving gaps, duplication and inconsistencies with providers and internal teams.
- Maintain clear reporting definitions, data standards and controls so information is accurate, consistent and trusted.
Performance Analysis and Insight
- Analyse freight performance across purchase orders, shipments, transit times, exceptions, service levels and costs.
- Identify trends, emerging risks, root causes and improvement opportunities, converting large volumes of operational data into meaningful insight.
- Produce regular KPI packs and performance analysis for Supply Chain stakeholders, leadership forums and freight provider reviews.
- Develop clear recommendations that support planning, provider performance management and operational decision-making.
Shipment Visibility and Planning Support
- Support purchase order and shipment tracking processes across all origin regions and destination markets.
- Provide timely reporting on booking status, shipment milestones, expected arrivals, transit performance, exceptions and delays.
- Work with freight providers to improve event updates, milestone accuracy and end-to-end shipment visibility.
- Share reporting and trend analysis with Supply Chain and Inventory teams to support freight planning, prioritisation and decision-making.
- Work closely with Supplier Compliance and Supply Chain teams to provide clear visibility of product flow through the network.
- Investigate operational exceptions, delays and missing or conflicting data, escalating material issues and recommending corrective actions.
- Support peak and capacity planning through accurate forecasts, shipment profiles and analysis of expected inbound volumes.
Continuous Improvement and Cost Control
- Support continuous improvement initiatives through baseline analysis, performance measurement and benefits tracking.
- Identify opportunities to improve reporting efficiency, data quality, shipment visibility and operational performance.
- Assist with freight invoice validation by comparing charges against shipment data, agreed rates and supporting information.
- Produce cost reporting and variance analysis to support accurate accruals, financial control and informed decision-making.
Stakeholder Partnership and Communication
- Build effective working relationships with freight providers and colleagues across Supply Chain, Inventory, Supplier Compliance, Distribution Centres and Finance.
- Respond to reporting and data requests with accurate, timely and clearly presented information.
- Explain trends, exceptions and recommendations in a concise way that supports operational action and decision-making.
- Promote consistent use of Apollo, agreed reports and data standards across the business.
Experience and Knowledge
- Experience in a freight, logistics, supply chain, planning or operational analysis role, ideally within retail or consumer goods.
- Strong analytical and numerical capability, with experience interpreting large operational datasets and translating findings into practical insight.
- Advanced Excel skills and experience creating dashboards, KPI reports and repeatable reporting tools; experience with Power BI or similar visualisation tools is desirable.
- Understanding of purchase orders, international freight milestones, shipment tracking, transit times and inbound supply chain operations.
- Experience improving data quality, investigating discrepancies and maintaining reliable master or operational data.
- Knowledge of freight costs, invoice validation and provider performance measures would be advantageous.
Skills and Behaviours
- Analytical and inquisitive, with strong attention to detail and a commitment to data accuracy.
- Highly organised, able to manage recurring reporting cycles, competing requests and time-sensitive operational analysis.
- Clear and concise communicator, able to present complex data and trends in an accessible, decision-focused way.
- Proactive problem-solver who follows issues through to resolution and constructively challenges poor-quality information.
- Collaborative and service-focused, with the confidence to work effectively with freight providers and stakeholders at different levels.
- Curious and improvement-minded, continually looking for better ways to report, automate and communicate performance.
- Accountable and dependable, with a strong focus on deadlines, accuracy and practical business outcomes.
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Hybrid working, 3 days in London based office & 2 working from home
- Holiday allowance
- 50% staff discount & 25% for family and friends
- Pension scheme