Responsibilities
- Develop strategy and lead the Supply Chain Planning, Scheduling and Logistics components of the Companys Business
- Build company organization structure, define roles, hire and track KPI performance of each division and team member.
- Understand, define, development & implementation Logistics processes with a focus on rail, road and sea routes.
- Establish policies and standard work procedures in inventory, delivery, distribution, and customer services.
- Monitor conformance of practices against company policies and standard work procedures using data analytics.
- Ensure effective management of inventory and assets in relation to business profitability.
- Manage logistics contracts; ensure quality delivery performance with cost consciousness and provide input and support within contract negotiations (Class1, Connecting Carriers, Local Switching).
- Communicate across all internal and external business partners to identify cost drivers and identify the most efficient processes and procedures across the organization and optimize cross-departmental interaction regarding logistics activities.
- Work with external vendors to establish Supply Chain solutions and partnerships including service levels agreements.
- Evaluate logistics related opportunities and design, create and implement solutions with established metrics programs to measure performance.
- Solve problems by considering courses of action within the framework of management goals and standards.
- Coordinate cross-functional teams, seeking field feedback, and tracking results.
- Direct availability and allocation of materials, supplies, and finished products.
- Work to optimize warehouse and deployment schedules, carrier equipment, mode, lane costs, and customer on time delivery.
- Work closely with sales to link forecasts to purchasing and inventory management. Identify areas for cost reductions and implement strategies for cost reduction and containment.
- Communicate with customers and company associates on a regular basis to ensure uninterrupted product supply.
- Optimize deliveries by planning efficient and cost-effective routes.
- Coordinate with remote distribution centers to identify and resolve inventory overstock issues.
- Align with Managements budget and service goals.
- Stay current on the transportation management systems abilities and shortcomings.
- Conduct meetings to ensure that team goals and projects are achieved according to established guidelines, procedures and policies.
- Daily communications on exceptions, changes to the facility transport environment, problem resolution and of equipment service needs.
- Proven ability to lead, motivate, and manage large teams across various departments.
- Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills, especially in high-pressure environments.
- Strategic thinking and the ability to align operations with business goals.
- Ability to analyze financial reports and identify areas to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships with key clients, stakeholders, and partners.
- Excellent negotiation skills for securing contracts, rates, and partnerships with vendors and clients.
- Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with a focus on adapting to market changes.
- A Bachelors degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
- A Masters degree (e.g., MBA) is often preferred for senior management roles.
- 5-10 years of experience in logistics, supply chain management, or transportation, with a minimum of 3-5 years in a senior management role.
- Proven track record of managing large-scale logistics operations or transportation companies.
- Familiarity with Zambian transport regulations, customs laws, and import/export procedures.
- Experience in using technology and software for logistics management (e.g., ERP systems, TMSTransportation Management Systems).
