Transport Planner

Overview

Surf Internet is looking for quality people who share our values of hard work and business ethics and who desire to be part of a team to operationalize our commitment to deliver reliable and consistently high-quality services.  The ideal candidate will have experience in telecom procurement, vendor management, and project coordination and be comfortable working in a high-growth environment.  The Transport Planner’s primary responsibility is to manage the end-to-end process of sourcing Ethernet circuits and other services from telecommunications providers. This role involves negotiating contracts, placing orders, and ensuring that all orders align with company requirements, budgets, and timelines.  This position requires excellent attention to detail and communication skills in a team environment while supporting a reliable and high-performance network.

Reports To:               Director of Transport Planning & Engineering

Department:               Network Engineering

Job Status:                Exempt

Responsibilities:

Contract Negotiation & Vendor Management:

• • Negotiate pricing, terms, and service-level agreements (SLAs) with telecom providers.
  • Maintain strong relationships with vendors to ensure optimal service and cost efficiency.
  • Monitor contract compliance and resolve any disputes or service issues.

Circuit Procurement & Order Placement:

• • Assess network needs and work with internal engineering and network teams to determine circuit requirements.
  • Place orders for Ethernet circuits and other services from regional and national telecom carriers.

Project Coordination & Delivery Management:

• • Monitor the lifecycle of circuit orders from initiation to activation, ensuring on-time delivery.
  • Coordinate with telecom providers, internal teams, and external stakeholders to address delays or issues.
  • Maintain real-time order tracking and proactively resolve service provisioning challenges.

Budgeting & Cost Optimization:

• • Evaluate cost structures and recommend solutions to optimize expenses.
  • Identify opportunities for cost savings through contract negotiations and alternative vendors.

Reporting & Compliance:

• • Maintain accurate records of all procurement activities, contracts, and vendor performance metrics.
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory and company standards related to telecommunications procurement.

General: 

• Represent Surf Internet professionally to satisfy immediate external stakeholder needs to foster return business and establish Surf as an “easy to do business with” provider. 
• Respond clearly and effectively to verbal requests, over the phone or in-person, and oral or written instructions. 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and the general public. 
• According to company policies, maintain regular, consistent, and professional attendance, punctuality, and personal appearance. 
• Adhere to company policies, regulations, procedures, and principles. 

Qualifications

Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in telecommunications procurement, contract negotiation, or circuit provisioning.
• Experience working with major telecom providers and an understanding of circuit ordering processes.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong negotiation and vendor management skills.
• Ability to interpret telecom contracts and service agreements.
• Excellent organizational and project management abilities.
• Effective communication and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, procurement platforms, and telecom ordering systems.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Telecommunications, Supply Chain, or related field (or equivalent experience).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) deployments and network infrastructure.
• Experience with carrier Ethernet, dark fiber, or leased-line provisioning.
• Familiarity with telecom regulatory requirements and industry standards.