Minimum Requirements
- Grade 12 with Higher Grade Mathematics.
- Tertiary Degree in Transport or a related field – mandatory. Honours advantageous.
- 5–7 years’ management experience within a transport environment.
- Proven experience within warehousing, distribution, QSR and/or FMCG.
- Strong experience managing large-scale transport and distribution operations.
- Experience managing multi-site, multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams.
- Proven experience managing large teams, ideally within an organisation of 400+ employees.
- Experience in shift management, people management and disciplinary processes.
- Experience managing the transportation of multi-temperature stock.
- Strong knowledge of Health & Safety, contingency planning and continuous improvement.
- Advanced MS Excel skills.
- Advanced Warehouse Management System (WMS) experience.
- Advanced experience with Microsoft Great Plains or similar accounting systems.
- Excellent communication, planning, organisational and problem-solving skills.
Core Competencies
- Strong leadership and people-management skills
- Excellent planning and organisational ability
- Strong financial and commercial awareness
- Advanced problem-solving skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Strong attention to detail
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
- Results-driven approach
- Strong understanding of transport and distribution operations
- High level of integrity and accountability
- Commitment to Health & Safety and quality standards
- Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, high-volume environment
Key Responsibilities
- Transport & Delivery Operations
- Manage and coordinate daily transport and delivery operations.
- Ensure delivery schedules are effectively planned and executed.
- Optimise routes and kilometres to achieve the most cost-effective transport operation.
- Monitor delivery performance and ensure agreed service levels are achieved.
- Manage delivery planning, including new store implementations.
- Ensure all routes are executed according to daily delivery plans.
- Monitor and manage EPOD and TrackMatic systems.
- Coordinate cross-dock transport requirements.
- Ensure adequate management of drivers and van assistants.
Financial & Cost Management
- Monitor transport expenditure against approved budgets.
- Ensure transport costs are accurately captured within the correct accounting period.
- Investigate cost overruns and implement corrective measures.
- Monitor labour, vehicle maintenance, fuel and stock-loss costs.
- Analyse and explain budget-versus-actual variances.
- Drive cost efficiency, including cost per kilometre.
Fleet & Asset Management
- Ensure all vehicles dispatched are compliant with required standards.
- Manage transport-related equipment and assets.
- Ensure preventative maintenance is carried out according to plan.
- Liaise with relevant departments regarding vehicle and equipment maintenance.
- Ensure Health & Safety-related repairs and maintenance are addressed promptly.
People Management
- Manage, motivate and develop the transport team.
- Prepare and manage staff schedules.
- Ensure adequate staffing levels to meet daily delivery requirements.
- Recruit, train, coach and mentor drivers and van assistants.
- Conduct performance reviews and manage performance effectively.
- Manage absenteeism, overtime and employee-related matters in conjunction with HR.
- Initiate and manage disciplinary processes in accordance with company procedures.
- Maintain a stable and productive working environment.
- Develop succession plans and support employee development.
Compliance, Risk & Safety
- Ensure compliance with applicable transport, Health & Safety and operational requirements.
- Maintain required driver and employee certifications, including PDPs and medicals.
- Ensure transport quality standards are consistently maintained.
- Prepare for and successfully complete internal and external audits.
- Investigate and report accidents and incidents in accordance with procedures.
- Ensure all required vehicle and safety checklists are completed.
- Manage and mitigate operational, financial and stock-loss risks.
- Promote a strong Health & Safety and food-safety culture.
Reporting & Administration
- Prepare accurate daily, weekly and monthly transport reports.
- Monitor kilometres travelled, driver hours and van assistant hours.
- Complete daily, weekly and monthly fuel reconciliations.
- Compile transport plans and communicate them to relevant stakeholders.
- Prepare and submit transport payroll in accordance with company procedures.
- Compile and monitor transport KPIs.
- Monitor driver performance and delivery reliability.
- Attend relevant operational and management meetings.
Key Performance Areas
- Delivery reliability
- Order reliability
- On-time dispatches
- Transport damages and losses
- Fuel management
- Transport cost control
- Health & Safety performance
- Budget achievement
- Driver performance
- Operational compliance
Please note: This is an urgent appointment and candidates who meet the minimum requirements are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.