SUMMARY:

Transport Manager – KZN

Purpose of the Position

POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities Transport Operations Management Oversee daily transport operations, including loading, dispatch, deliveries, and driver management. Manage delivery schedules, route optimisation, and vehicle tracking. Ensure on-time deliveries and operational efficiency. Manage fuel consumption, staff working hours, and transport-related costs. Coordinate daily, weekly, and monthly transport planning. Financial and Asset Management Manage departmental expenditure within approved budgets. Prepare and present monthly financial reports. Oversee fleet equipment, preventative maintenance, and asset management. Identify opportunities for cost savings and operational improvements. People Management and Leadership Lead, motivate, and manage a large, diverse, multidisciplinary team. Develop a high-performance culture based on accountability, discipline, and teamwork. Manage staff schedules, performance, absenteeism, overtime, and disciplinary processes. Conduct regular staff meetings and ensure effective communication. Provide coaching, mentoring, training, and employee development. Implement succession planning and performance improvement initiatives. Compliance, Safety and Risk Management Ensure compliance with transport legislation, company procedures, and occupational health and safety requirements. Maintain transport quality standards and audit readiness. Investigate incidents and accidents and implement corrective measures. Ensure appropriate risk management, contingency planning, and preventative maintenance. Reporting and Performance Management Monitor driver performance, delivery efficiency, and operational KPIs. Ensure accurate and timely operational and financial reporting. Complete fuel reconciliations and resolve discrepancies. Review transport performance and implement continuous improvement initiatives. Minimum Qualifications and Experience Grade 12 with Higher Grade Mathematics. Relevant tertiary diploma, degree, or qualification. 5-7 years' relevant management experience within transport, logistics, or distribution operations. Proven experience managing large teams within complex, multi-site environments. Experience in multi-temperature transport and distribution operations. Strong knowledge of shift management, disciplinary procedures, health and safety, and contingency planning. Experience in implementing operational strategies, performance improvements, and best practices. Advanced Microsoft Excel and strong MS Office skills. Excellent systems proficiency and the ability to learn new operational systems quickly. Essential Leadership Skills and Personal Attributes We are specifically seeking an individual who demonstrates: Maturity and accountability: A responsible, dependable leader who takes ownership of decisions, performance, and results. Exceptional communication skills: Excellent verbal and written English, with strong isiZulu communication skills to engage effectively with the local workforce. Strong leadership presence: The confidence, authority, and interpersonal skills to manage, motivate, and discipline a large operational team. Excellent planning and organisational ability: Highly structured, proactive, and capable of managing competing operational priorities. Results-driven approach: A strong focus on achieving operational targets, controlling costs, and delivering measurable improvements. Problem-solving capability: The ability to assess complex operational challenges, make sound decisions, and implement practical solutions. People management expertise: Proven ability to build relationships, manage conflict, develop employees, and maintain workforce discipline. Resilience and adaptability: The ability to remain calm under pressure and respond effectively to operational challenges. Cultural awareness: Strong understanding of the local working environment and the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse, predominantly isiZulu-speaking workforce. Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate is a mature, confident, hands-on transport leader with a proven track record of managing complex logistics operations and large teams. We are looking for someone who commands respect through professionalism, fairness, clear communication, and decisive leadership. The successful individual must be organised, disciplined, solutions-oriented, and passionate about developing people while consistently achieving operational targets. Fluency in both English and isiZulu, together with strong local operational knowledge, will be highly advantageous.