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Position Title: Transport Manager Function/Department: Transport Department Reports To: C&F Manager Dotted Line: Branch Manager – Mombasa Direct Reports: Transport Supervisor, Transport Coordinators, Transport Clerks & Admin Industry: Logistics, Freight Forwarding, Transport & Supply Chain Management JOB PURPOSE To lead and manage the Company's transport operations by ensuring efficient planning, allocation, execution, and monitoring of cargo movements. The role focuses on optimizing fleet utilization, managing third-party logistics (3PL) providers, coordinating port operations, and overseeing cargo transportation along the Northern Corridor. The position is responsible for regulatory compliance, transport cost control, transporter relationships, and timely service delivery in line with operational and commercial objectives. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Transport Operations Management • Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of transport operations to ensure timely cargo movement and service delivery. • Manage cargo transportation from ports and other collection points to designated destinations, including movements along the Northern Corridor. • Monitor daily transport activities, resolve delays and service disruptions, and ensure compliance with customer requirements. • Ensure efficient coordination of port collections, cargo evacuation, and inland transportation. 2. Transport Planning & Fleet Optimization • Optimize truck allocation, route planning, and transporter utilization to improve efficiency and reduce costs. • Plan loading schedules, port collections, departures, and delivery timelines. • Monitor equipment availability, transport capacity, and service performance. • Identify opportunities to improve turnaround times, fleet productivity, and cargo delivery efficiency. 3. Third-Party Logistics & Transporter Management • Manage relationships with third-party logistics providers, transporters, and other service partners. • Evaluate transporter performance against agreed service levels, contractual obligations, safety standards, and cost targets. • Oversee transporter onboarding, capacity planning, and performance improvement initiatives. • Participate in rate negotiations to secure competitive and reliable transport services. 4. Port Operations & Northern Corridor Coordination • Coordinate transport activities involving port operations, cargo release, collection, evacuation, and inland delivery. • Ensure effective coordination with port stakeholders, clearing and forwarding teams, shipping lines, transporters, and relevant authorities. • Monitor cargo movement along the Northern Corridor and address transit delays, border-crossing challenges, and delivery exceptions. • Ensure timely processing and tracking of port and transit documentation. • Identify operational bottlenecks and implement measures to improve cargo turnaround time and delivery reliability. 5. Customs & Regulatory Compliance • Ensure compliance with transport-related customs documentation and statutory requirements, including T1s, Exit Notes, T812 documentation, and transit regulations. • Maintain a working understanding of KRA, KPA, URA, and relevant regional customs systems. • Monitor changes in customs and transit regulations and implement necessary operational adjustments. • Ensure transport documentation is accurate and submitted within required timelines. 6. Customer Service & Operational Coordination • Coordinate with Commercial, Customer Service, Customs, and Warehouse teams to ensure seamless transport execution. • Resolve customer queries, transport exceptions, and operational issues promptly. • Provide proactive updates on shipment status, port collections, transit progress, and delivery performance. 7. Performance Reporting & Cost Management • Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly transport performance reports. • Monitor transport costs, third-party transporter rates, port-related delays, turnaround times, and operational KPIs. • Analyse performance trends and recommend initiatives to improve efficiency, profitability, and customer satisfaction. 8. Leadership & Continuous Improvement • Lead, coach, and develop the transport team to achieve operational excellence. • Conduct performance reviews and align individual objectives with departmental goals. • Promote continuous improvement, accountability, teamwork, compliance, and operational discipline. Requirements Qualifications & Experience • Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Transport Management, Business Administration, or a related field. • Minimum 5–7 years of relevant experience in transport or logistics operations, including at least 3 years in a supervisory or management role. • Mandatory experience managing third-party logistics (3PL) providers and transporters. • Mandatory hands-on experience coordinating cargo transportation along the Northern Corridor. • Mandatory experience in port operations, including cargo collection, evacuation, port coordination, and inland transportation. • Strong understanding of clearing and forwarding, customs procedures, and regional transit operations. • Working knowledge of KRA, KPA, URA, and regional customs systems. • ERP and transport management system experience is highly desirable. Key Skills & Competencies • Transport operations and fleet optimization. • Third-party logistics and transporter management. • Port operations and Northern Corridor cargo transportation. • Customs and transit procedures. • Leadership and people management. • Commercial awareness, cost control, and negotiation. • Operational planning, data analysis, and reporting. • Customer relationship and stakeholder management. • Problem-solving, decision-making, and continuous improvement. Benefits BENEFITS • Medical cover • Pension • Fuel allowance
