Operations Director – Logistics Zimbabwe

SUMMARY:
Operations Director – Logistics
Location: Zimbabwe
Reporting To: COO
Employment Type: Permanent
Salary: Market Related (Executive Package)

Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Operations Director – Logistics to lead and oversee all operational activities within our logistics and transport business in Zimbabwe. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and executing operational strategies, ensuring operational excellence, improving profitability, driving customer satisfaction, and leading large multidisciplinary teams across transport, warehousing, distribution, fleet management, and supply chain operations.
This is a strategic executive role requiring a commercially minded leader with extensive experience in logistics, transport, warehousing, and distribution within Africa. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of improving operational performance while maintaining the highest standards of safety, compliance, and customer service.

POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership Develop and implement the company's operational strategy aligned with overall business objectives. Provide executive leadership across all logistics operations within Zimbabwe and regional corridors Identify growth opportunities and drive continuous operational improvement initiatives. Develop long-term operational plans to support expansion and increased profitability. Participate in executive management meetings and contribute to overall business strategy. Establish operational KPIs and monitor business performance. Drive a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. Logistics & Supply Chain Management Oversee and optimise: Transport Operations Fleet Management Warehousing Distribution Inventory Management Cross-border Logistics Supply Chain Planning Customer Service Operations Ensure efficient movement of goods while maintaining service levels and cost control. Transport Operations Manage national and cross-border transport operations. Ensure optimal fleet utilisation. Improve vehicle productivity and asset performance. Monitor delivery performance and turnaround times. Develop transport optimisation strategies. Reduce transport costs without compromising service. Ensure compliance with transport legislation. Manage third-party transport providers where applicable. Ensure warehouses operate safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively. Supply Chain Optimisation Analyse current supply chain performance. Identify process improvements. Reduce operational waste. Improve inventory turns. Improve customer service levels. Enhance supplier performance. Improve demand planning. Optimise procurement support processes. Financial Management Responsible for the operational financial performance including: Budget preparation Operational forecasting Cost management Profitability improvement CAPEX planning OPEX management Financial reporting Cost reduction initiatives Resource allocation Monitor operational budgets and ensure financial targets are achieved. Customer Relationship Management Maintain strong relationships with key customers. Ensure service level agreements (SLAs) are achieved. Resolve major customer escalations. Drive customer satisfaction initiatives. Improve service delivery performance. Support business development through operational excellence. People Leadership Lead and manage large operational teams including: Regional Managers Operations Managers Transport Managers Warehouse Managers Fleet Managers Distribution Managers Supervisors Administration Teams Responsibilities include: Performance management Leadership development Succession planning Recruitment Coaching and mentoring Employee engagement Workforce planning Health, Safety & Compliance Ensure full compliance with: Zimbabwe and regional Labour Laws Road Transport Regulations Occupational Health & Safety legislation Environmental standards Company policies Customer compliance requirements Quality management systems Promote a strong safety culture across the organisation. Risk Management Identify operational risks. Develop mitigation strategies. Implement business continuity plans. Reduce operational disruptions. Manage insurance-related operational risks. Ensure disaster recovery readiness. Continuous Improvement Drive Lean and continuous improvement initiatives including: Process optimisation Automation opportunities Technology implementation KPI reporting Business intelligence Operational innovation Minimum Requirements Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Transport Management, Business Management, Industrial Engineering, or a related field. A postgraduate qualification (MBA or Master's Degree) will be highly advantageous. Professional logistics or supply chain certifications are advantageous. Experience Minimum 10-15 years' senior logistics management experience. At least 5 years in an executive leadership role on Crossborder logistics , road and port Extensive experience managing large transport operations. Strong warehousing and distribution management experience. Experience managing multi-site operations. Cross-border logistics experience within Southern Africa. Proven leadership of large operational teams. Demonstrated success in driving operational improvements and profitability. Technical Skills Strong knowledge of: Fleet Management Systems Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) Transport Management Systems (TMS) ERP Systems (SAP, Oracle, Sage, Microsoft Dynamics or similar) Route optimisation software Supply Chain Analytics Microsoft Office (Advanced Excel, Power BI advantageous) KPI reporting and dashboard management Leadership Competencies Executive leadership Strategic thinking Commercial acumen Business development awareness Financial management Decision making Change management Stakeholder management Negotiation skills Conflict resolution Team development High emotional intelligence Personal Attributes Highly organised and results-oriented. Strong analytical and problem-solving ability. Excellent communication and presentation skills. Resilient and able to perform under pressure. Customer-focused with a commitment to service excellence. Ethical, professional, and accountable. Innovative mindset with a passion for continuous improvement. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) The successful candidate will be measured against: Operational profitability Budget adherence Fleet utilisation Warehouse productivity Customer satisfaction On-time delivery performance Inventory accuracy Cost reduction initiatives Staff retention and engagement Health & Safety compliance SLA performance Operational efficiency improvements Business growth support Cross-border operational performance Why Join Us? This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic logistics organisation where you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of operations in Zimbabwe. You will lead a high-performing team, influence strategic business decisions, and drive operational excellence in a fast-paced, growth-focused environment. If you are a visionary logistics leader with a passion for operational excellence, strategic growth, and people development, we encourage you to apply.