Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Cargo Planner

🎯 Role Definition

The Cargo Planner is responsible for developing and executing efficient, safe, and compliant cargo load and stowage plans across air and/or ocean transport operations. This role ensures optimal utilization of capacity, accurate weight and balance calculations, timely documentation and regulatory compliance (IATA/IMDG/customs), and close coordination with commercial teams, operations, ground handling and customers. A strong Cargo Planner improves on-time performance, reduces operational disruptions, minimizes cost per kilo or TEU, and maintains the highest standards of safety and paperwork accuracy.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Cargo Handler / Ramp Agent
Operations Coordinator / Freight Forwarder Coordinator
Load Control Assistant / Junior Stowage Planner

Advancement To:

Senior Cargo Planner / Lead Load Controller
Load Control Manager / Stowage Manager
Network Planning Manager / Operations Manager

Lateral Moves:

Ramp or Ground Operations Supervisor
Customer Service / Commercial Cargo Specialist
Customs & Compliance Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Create and validate detailed load plans and stowage diagrams for aircraft or vessels that maximize cargo capacity while ensuring safe weight and balance, trim and structural limits are not exceeded.
Calculate weight and balance, center of gravity (CG), and trim adjustments for each flight or sailing, and prepare formal load sheets / stability documentation for flight crews or vessel masters.
Develop and optimize cargo placement strategies (ULD allocation, container stowage, palletization) to reduce repositioning, minimize handling time and improve ground turnaround.
Coordinate daily with commercial sales and booking teams to prioritize high-value shipments, perishables, time-sensitive cargo and special handling requirements during planning.
Review and verify cargo booking details and shipment documentation (AWBs, B/Ls, packing lists) to ensure accuracy before loading and flag discrepancies for resolution.
Accept, verify and handle dangerous goods (DG) in accordance with IATA DGR and IMDG code, including segregation, packaging checks and correct declaration on load plans and documentation.
Manage ULD inventory and deployment, including tracking ULD locations, arranging repositioning, repairs and ensuring compatibility with assigned aircraft types.
Monitor and respond to operational irregularities (delays, cancellations, equipment shortages) by re-planning loads, prioritizing critical shipments and communicating changes to stakeholders.
Liaise with ground handlers, agents, and terminal operators to confirm availability of equipment, space and manpower for planned loads and to coordinate special handling (temperature control, oversized cargo).
Produce and upload accurate electronic load and cargo manifests into flight operations or terminal systems, and ensure alignment between physical loading and system records.
Validate acceptance of shipments against airline/shipper policies, regulatory constraints and safety rules, and escalate exceptions to operations management for approval.
Execute stowage plans for breakbulk, containerized and project cargo, including planning of lashing, weight distribution and sequence for loading/unloading at port calls.
Communicate clearly and promptly with flight crews, vessel masters and operational control centers to confirm load integrity, weight distribution and any special handling instructions.
Perform daily capacity planning and forecasting to support commercial decision-making, allotment of space, and dynamic pricing strategies during peak or irregular operations.
Conduct pre-departure checks and final sign-off on load documentation to ensure legal and safety compliance prior to release for transport.
Maintain accurate records for audits, safety reporting and regulatory compliance including load manifests, DG declarations, ULD history and weight & balance logs.
Work with customs brokers and regulatory teams to ensure that export/import regulatory requirements are met and that shipments flagged for inspections are handled in the planning process.
Identify opportunities to improve load efficiency and reduce unit costs through better consolidation, route optimization, and use of multi-modal options; propose process improvements and standard operating procedures.
Train and mentor junior planners and load controllers on load planning tools, safety procedures, documentation requirements and company policies.
Participate in disruption management, creating contingency load plans during weather events, equipment failures and irregular operations to protect on-time performance and customer SLA adherence.
Ensure compliance with company safety management systems (SMS), report potential safety threats related to loading and stowage and support incident investigations.
Collaborate with engineering or naval architecture teams when unique weight distribution or structural issues arise for special project cargo or modified equipment.

Secondary Functions

Provide reporting and KPI analysis on load efficiency, capacity utilization, on-time load completion, ULD utilization and DG occurrences to support management decisions.
Assist commercial teams with feasibility and capacity checks for new business opportunities, quotations and charter requests.
Support ad-hoc audits and compliance checks by maintaining clear, organized records and responding to data requests from Safety, Quality or Regulatory teams.
Help implement and test load planning tools and integrations (CargoWise, LoadPlanner, Navis, AHM or proprietary systems), including user acceptance testing and roll-out support.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives: lean reviews, post-incident debriefs, and cross-functional workshops to improve throughput and lower costs.
Coordinate training sessions and updates to SOPs when regulatory changes (IATA, IMDG, customs) or company policies are introduced.
Maintain proactive communication with customers about special-handling requirements, temperature control, transit time expectations and any schedule-driven changes.
Support local interline and handover processes by ensuring load plans facilitate smooth transfers and correct documentation for onward carriage.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Weight & balance calculation and load sheet preparation: expert in calculating center of gravity, trim, and structural limits for safe operations.
Load planning and stowage planning: proven ability to create efficient load plans for air or sea cargo including ULD/container placement and bay-by-bay stowage.
Dangerous goods handling and regulation knowledge (IATA DGR and IMDG): ability to accept, segregate and document hazardous materials.
ULD, pallet and container management: ULD tracking, repair coordination, and configuration for multiple aircraft types or vessel sizes.
Cargo management systems and load planning software: hands-on experience with CargoWise, LoadPlanner, AHM, Navis StowMan, CHAMP, or proprietary TMS/WMS.
Documentation and compliance: proficiency in AWB/BOL/B/L preparation, export/import regulations, customs clearance processes and electronic manifesting.
Operational systems and Microsoft Excel: advanced Excel skills (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, macros) and familiarity with ERP/TMS integrations.
Stability and structural understanding: knowledge of aircraft/vessel structural limits, lashing, dunnage and load restraint principles for project cargo.
Capacity forecasting and slot management: experience forecasting capacity needs, managing allocations and communicating constraints to sales teams.
Multi-modal logistics planning: understanding of container stuffing, breakbulk handling, intermodal transfers, and onward delivery constraints.

Soft Skills

Clear, decisive communication: ability to relay complex load and safety information to crews, handlers and customers concisely and confidently.
Analytical problem solving: quickly generate safe, operationally feasible alternatives under time pressure and incomplete information.
Attention to detail: meticulous verification of weights, documentation and DG declarations to reduce risk and regulatory exposure.
Stakeholder management: strong collaboration with commercial, operations, ground handling, engineering and regulatory teams.
Prioritization and time management: balance competing customer needs and operational constraints to meet departure windows.
Resilience and stress tolerance: remain effective during irregular operations, schedule disruptions and high-volume peaks.
Training and mentoring: ability to coach junior staff and document SOPs for consistent team performance.
Continuous improvement mindset: identify root causes, propose improvements and drive small changes that yield operational efficiency.
Adaptability and learning agility: quick adoption of new systems, regulations and process updates.
Customer-focused service orientation: maintain professional relationships and provide proactive updates to customers and sales teams.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent with demonstrated operations experience; or
Technical diploma in logistics, supply chain or transportation.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Transportation, Business Administration, Maritime Studies or Aeronautical Engineering.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Supply Chain Management
Logistics & Transportation
Aviation/Aerospace or Maritime Studies
Business Administration
Industrial/Operations Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–5 years of cargo planning, load control, stowage planning or freight operations in airline, shipping line, freight forwarder, or terminal operations.

Preferred:

3–7 years of direct cargo planning or load control experience, with at least some exposure to IATA/IMDG compliance.
Prior experience using industry-standard load planning systems (CargoWise, LoadPlanner, Navis, AHM, CHAMP).
Experience in high-volume hubs, charter or special-project cargo planning is highly desirable.
Demonstrated track record of operating in 24/7 environments, handling irregular operations and managing critical customer shipments.