Transport Manager

SET Recruitment Consultants; Durban; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

SET Recruitment Consultants is searching for a Transport Manager to oversee budgeting, route optimization and fleet operations across multiple sites. You will drive cost control, supplier coordination, and HR activities while ensuring compliance with safety standards.

The role requires 5–7 years in management within transport, a tertiary degree in transport or related field, and strong Excel/WMS skills. A Durban-based position with a focus on efficiency and accuracy.

Qualifications

• Experience leading transport teams in multi-site operations.
• Formal qualification in transport/logistics and strong math skills.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, HR and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Manage monthly transport budget and variances with corrective actions.
• Plan and optimize delivery schedules to minimize cost per kilometer.
• Ensure EPOD/Track Matic routes are executed per procedures.
• Coordinate cross-dock requirements and fuel management.
• Lead HR activities: schedules, certifications, performance appraisals.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards and audits.
• Maintain asset care: equipment maintenance and stock control.
• Produce timely reporting and payroll in line with procedures.
• Mitigate operational risks and oversee KPI targets.

Skills

People Management

Budgeting

HSE Management

KPIs & Reporting

Multi-site Leadership

MS Office Excel

WMS Expertise

Education

Degree in Transport or related field

Higher Grade Math (Grade 12)

Tools

Great Plains

WMS

Job description

The Key Functional responsibilities of the Transport Manager include but is not limited to:

Financial Responsibility

• Ensure costs are captured in the month incurred (Labor, Vehicle R&M, Stock Losses, Fuel).
• Ensure unprocessed costs are accrued in the month incurred.
• Ensure monthly transport department expenditure is maintained within budget – a budget will be provided and discussed with you.
• Explain variance of budget versus actual.
• Ensure cost overruns are investigated, and appropriate countermeasures are instituted to prevent further overruns.

Operational Delivery Schedule

• Ensure the maintenance of the delivery schedule in Plato i.e. implementation of new stores.
• Ensure that most effective and efficient execution of the delivery schedule i.e. lowest possible Cost Per Kilometer.
• Ensure routes are executed according to daily delivery planning meeting.
• Ensure that changes are made on delivery schedule to optimize kilometers.

EPOD & Track Matic

• Ensure all daily routes are executed on Track Matic and EPOD as per company procedures.

General

• Ensure planning and coordinating of Cross dock operational requirements.
• Ensure the adequate management of fuel.
• Ensure the adequate management of driver and van assistant hours.
• Ensure all vehicles dispatched daily are compliant as per standards.

People Management

• Host monthly staff meeting with minutes.
• Develop and manage Staff schedules.
• Ensure that all staff maintains certification i.e. PDP’s, LMI, Medicals, fridge calibrations
• Ensure succession plan in place for career levels.
• Liaising with the HR department so as to understand all the necessary aspects and needs of HR development, and ensure all staff are fully informed of HR objectives, purposes and achievements.
• Manage a stable HR climate in the workplace.
• Liaising with HR regarding overtime and absenteeism, motivating staff, recruiting staff, training, mentoring, coaching and development of staff according to company policies and procedures.
• Conduct regular performance appraisals with subordinates and ensure that the process is cascaded throughout the warehousing team.
• Develop and manage high performance multi-disciplinary team in order to solve problems within the distribution center.
• Coach and support team members where necessary to achieve objectives.
• Uphold the company’s disciplinary code of conduct at all times demonstrating fairness when dealing with discipline.
• Ensure the adequate recruitment of drivers and van assistants to match the requirement of the daily delivery schedule demands.

Process Compliance

• Transportation quality standards are consistently maintained in accordance with requirements.
• Pass all internal and external quality audits.
• Audit gaps are closed within prescribed due dates.

Asset Management

• Managing and maintaining of company assets and delivery equipment i.e. trolleys, tablets, pallet jacks, load lock bars, bulkheads.
• Ensure equipment maintenance is planned and executed with Assets Manager according to specification.
• Ensure all Health & Safety repairs and maintenance is identified and resolved immediately.
• Ensure preventative maintenance is carried out according to plan.
• Ensure consumables are adequately stocked for operations.

Reporting

• Ensure all reporting documents are accurate.
• Ensure reporting deadlines are met.
• Ensure monthly financial reporting is submitted.
• Ensure attendance and engagement in all relevant meetings i.e. planning meeting, max meeting, management meeting.
• Ensure accurate and timely recording of km’s travelled, driver hours and van assistant hours.
• Ensure daily and weekly fuel recons are completed and fuel related queries are resolved.
• Ensure daily, weekly and monthly transport plans are compiled and communicated.
• Prepare, sign off and submit the transport department payroll in-line with the company’s payroll procedure.
• Compile the required KPI’s accurately.
• Monitor and report on driver performance i.e. staff is held accountable to ensure the perfect delivery.

Risk Management

• Ensure all operational risk matters are address. i.e. health and safety checklists completed as prescribed (truck checklists), PPE requirements.
• Ensure all incidents and accidents are investigated and reported according to procedure.
• Ensure inventory compliance in respect of prescribed laws and legislative requirements.
• Ensure the mitigation of all financial risk i.e. stock losses, stock damages

Key Performance Indicators

• Delivery Reliability - > 90%
• Order Reliability - > 99,75%
• On Time Dispatches – >95%
• Transport Damages - < R10 000 / month
• Health & Safety Incidents – 0
• Achieve Monthly Financial Warehouse Budget – 100%

Work Experience Required

• 5 – 7 Years Management within:
• Shift Management
• People Management
• Disciplinary Enquiries Initiating and Charing of hearing.
• Health & Safety Management
• Contingency Planning & Management
• Best Practice / Continuous Improvement Management
• Management of transport of multi temperature stock items
• Management of complex, multi-site, multi-disciplinary, multi-culture organizations.

Integratedstrategyformulationandexecutionwithinlarge organizations of 400 plus employees

Minimum Required

• Grade 12 with Higher Grade Math
• Tertiary Degree in a Transport or related field Mandatory, Hons advantageous.

Preferred

As above

Computer Literacy Required

• MS Office (PowerPoint, Projects, Word, Outlook)
• Advanced MS Excel Skills
• Advanced Warehouse Management System (WMS) Skills
• Accounting Software:
• Microsoft Great Plains – Advanced