Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Innovazi Consulting; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm in Johannesburg is seeking an experienced Chief Operating Officer (COO) to oversee operations and strategic direction. The ideal candidate has over 20 years in the freight forwarding and logistics sector, with strong leadership and negotiation skills. This role requires a strategic mindset and a commitment to operational excellence, supporting a culture of performance and customer focus.

Qualifications

• Minimum 20 years experience in freight forwarding, logistics, and customs clearing industry.
• Proven track record of organizational improvement and leadership.
• Ability to handle difficult situations effectively.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of operations and strategic direction.
• Align operational performance with long-term strategy.
• Lead the Senior Executive team.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation skills

Financial profitability

Effective communication

Entrepreneurial capability

Education

Bachelor's degree in commerce/business

Executive leadership program

Post graduate qualification

Tools

Business relevant software

Job description

Overview

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will be responsible for overseeing and leading all aspects of our Client's group operations and strategic direction. This role requires a highly experienced executive with a strong track record in the freight forwarding, customs brokerage, contract logistics, transport, and wider supply chain management industry. The COO will provide leadership to the Senior Executive team, ensuring the alignment of operational performance with the companys long-term strategy, while driving growth, profitability, and operational excellence.

Desired Experience & Qualification

• The COO will need to have a sound understanding of the freight & logistics industry and other related industries and remain alert to the latest developments in the market to stay ahead of the curve.
• Bachelors degree in commerce / business or similar at NQF level 8.
• A formal Executive leadership program from a reputable business school.
• Post graduate qualification will serve as an added advantage.
• A minimum of 20 years experience in the international freight forwarding, contract logistics, transport and customs clearing industry.
• A proven track record of taking a company from good to great and sustaining these results.
• Demonstrate the ability and leadership to handle difficult situation as they may arise.
• Demonstrate the ability to support and close big deals.
• The ability to understand and support strong debtor controls, financial profitability, cost control, pricing & rates and cash flow management.
• Experience in managing the legal, risk and compliance aspects of a Business.
• Experience in leading a team of professionals to achieve the desired KPIs.
• Ability to positively influence and inspire team members and the staff in the business.

Required Competencies

• Be fair, firm and hold people accountable for doing their jobs right the first time.
• The ability to communicate effectively at CEO & Board level.
• Deliver outstanding quality work in all aspects of the business by paying close attention to detail.
• Excellent and proven negotiation skills across the board.
• Good knowledge and skills of business relevant software applications.
• Entrepreneurial capability : willing to take calculated risks, accountable, cost-conscious, think strategically & appreciate a long-term development, highly engaging, innovative, and being solution centric in all challenges presented.
• Leadership skills : set goals & gain commitment, encourage people to challenge themselves, recognise effort and achievement, deal effectively with conflicts, has a sense of urgency, decisive, empathetic, has an open and inclusive communication style, build and develop a diverse high performing team.
• Persistent, determined and has the resilience to achieve challenging goals which might take time.
• Ability to reflect on own decisions and willing to constantly learn.

Ideal Candidate

• The ideal candidate must have a proven track record that embodies the requirements set out in the Job Description.
• Espouse and embrace the guiding principles of the client - Respect, Trust, Quality, Integrity and Accountability.
• Act as champion of the client's culture of high performance, customer obsession and people centricity.
• Commit to travel requirements both locally and internationally as dictated by business needs.