TRANSPORT MANAGER

Reports to: Head of Procurement & Logistics

Job Purpose:

The Transport Manager is responsible for overseeing the end-to-end transportation within the manufacturing facility. This includes managing in-process goods, and finished products between suppliers, manufacturing plants, and customers. The role requires optimizing logistics processes, managing transportation costs, ensuring compliance with regulations, and leading a team to meet operational goals in a timely and efficient manner

Key Stakeholders:

Manufacturing (Production and Mixing Team)

Warehouse Management Team

Planning Team

Procurement Team

Sales & Distribution Team

Marketing Team

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1. Transport Management

        Driver Management

• Train, and manage drivers to ensure compliance with safety and operational standards.
• Monitor driver performance, including adherence to schedules, fuel efficiency, and safe driving practices.
• Implement driver wellness programs to reduce fatigue and enhance productivity.
• Utilize telematics and real-time tracking to provide feedback and optimize driver behaviour.

Route Management

• Plan and coordinate transportation schedules to align with production and inventory requirements.
• Optimize travel routes to minimize delays, fuel consumption, and overall transportation costs.
• Implement GPS tracking and route optimization software for real-time monitoring.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, including rest breaks and road safety guidelines.

        Vehicle Management

• Maintain a well-functioning fleet by scheduling regular maintenance and inspections.
• Track fuel usage, emissions, and overall vehicle efficiency to enhance cost-effectiveness.
• Implement fleet management software to monitor vehicle performance and downtime.
• Ensure compliance with transportation regulations, insurance requirements, and safety inspections.

           Load Management

• Optimize loading processes to maximize vehicle capacity while maintaining load safety.
• Implement weight distribution strategies to prevent overloading and ensure compliance with legal limits.
• Utilize technology for real-time tracking of shipments and cargo security.
• Coordinate with warehouse and logistics teams for seamless loading and unloading operations.

            Contractor Management

• Select and manage third-party logistics providers and transport contractors.
• Establish service level agreements (SLAs) to ensure performance and cost-effectiveness.
• Monitor contractor compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and maintain strong relationships with logistics partners.

2. Fleet Management

• Oversee the management of company-owned or third-party transport fleets, ensuring vehicles are properly maintained, compliant with regulations, and optimally utilized.

3. Supply Chain Coordination & Integration

• Collaborate with the production, procurement, and warehouse teams to ensure alignment of transportation schedules with production cycles.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key external stakeholders, such as suppliers, third-party logistics providers (3PLs), and customers, to ensure seamless coordination of services.
• Coordinate with procurement to ensure timely deliveries of raw materials for manufacturing and distribution.

4. Compliance & Safety Standards

• Ensure transportation processes adhere to all local, regional, and national transportation laws, environmental regulations, and safety standards.
• Develop and enforce safety protocols for transport teams to reduce risks, accidents, and compliance issues.
• Conduct regular audits of transport functions to identify and mitigate risks

5. Cost Management & Optimization

• Develop and manage budgets for transport functions, tracking costs related to fuel, vehicle maintenance, third-party services, and warehousing.
• Identify opportunities to optimize transportation expenses through route planning, fleet management, and collaboration with external suppliers.

6. Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, motivate, and develop the transport team, including drivers, supervisors, and support staff.
• Implement performance management systems, conduct regular team meetings, and provide coaching and training to enhance team skills and productivity.
• Monitor and evaluate team performance, ensuring high standards of productivity, safety, and compliance are met.

 Data Management & Reporting

• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) such as delivery times, transportation costs, and fleet utilization, and prepare detailed reports for senior management.
• Utilize transportation management software (TMS) and other tools to track, report, and optimize logistics.
• Provide regular updates on fleet performance, identifying areas for improvement and recommending strategies to optimize efficiency.

8. Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving

• Continuously assess transport processes, recommending and implementing improvements to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance service delivery.
• Lead root cause analysis for any transportation-related issues (e.g., delays, damage, or shortages) and develop corrective action plans.
• Keep up to date with industry trends and best practices, ensuring the company’s transport services remain competitive and innovative

9. Risk Management

• Identify the department’s risks, their various mitigations and keep track of them.

10. Compliance

• Ensure regulatory compliance in execution of activities within both Uganda and other countries.
• Adherence to all company and In Country Policies and Procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Professional certifications in Logistics, Supply Chain, or Transport Management (e.g CILT, ILM) are a plus.
• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in a similar role within a fast-paced FMCG environment.