Vacancy: Final Mile Manager – Germiston, Gauteng (3-month Fixed Term Contract)

Our Client, a leader in the Retail and Wholesale Industry is looking for a dedicated and experienced Final Mile Manager to join their dynamic team. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving contractual agreements, ensuring SLA adherence, and managing day-to-day performance of all Final Mile activities with their 3PL business partners. This role aims to optimize their distribution network and enhance client experience through cost-effective measures.  This is a 3-month Fixed Term Contract and the position is based in Germiston, Gauteng.

Key responsibilities (in summary), include:

• Strategy Implementation: Define and execute the Outbound Supply Chain Final Mile strategy.
• Performance Monitoring: Translate strategy into actionable goals and monitor performance.
• Stakeholder Management: Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Service Provider Management: Collaborate with Store Operations and monitor service provider performance.
• Process Optimization: Utilize technology and industry best practices to improve standard operating procedures.
• Expense Control: Track and evaluate cost and productivity metrics, manage budgets, and review financial performance.
• Team Management: Recruit, train, and supervise security staff, ensuring continuous improvement and development.
• Self-Management: Adapt to change, update knowledge and skills, and promote a diverse and ethical work environment.

Optimization and standardization of Final Mile Strategy 

• Contribute to the definition and execution of the Outbound Supply Chain Final Mile strategy and planned actions in order to meet the strategy.
• Translate the Final Mile strategy into short, medium and long term goals and to ensure the strategic objectives are executed against the agreed deadlines.
• Monitor performance against goals and where necessary make adjustments in collaboration with the Divisional Final Mile Manager in order to support key initiatives of the business.
• Lead change through driving and implementing performance improvement initiatives to multiple sites
• To achieve efficiency in all operations, administration aspects and finances.
• To continuously optimize processes and efficiencies across all stores or fulfilment centers focused on cost control in order to meet stakeholder expectation expectations and service levels.
• Drive continuous improvement of processes and procedures, focusing on accuracy.

Stakeholder Management 

• Communicate effectively and regularly with all relevant internal and external stakeholders to ensure a common understanding of Final Mile initiatives
• Work closely with Store Operations to ensure effective collaboration between Fulfilment and contracted Carrier.
• Monitor service provider performance to assess ability to meet quality and delivery requirements.
• Facilitate monthly meetings with transport service providers to track cost, productivity and performance including formalizing corrective action plans for poor performance.
• Facilitate monthly meetings with Regional Store Operations Managers to track cost, productivity and performance including formalizing corrective action plans.
• Prepare and facilitate quarterly meetings with respective Steering Committees members.
• Maintain accurate and up to date minutes of such meetings
• Negotiate prices and terms with suppliers.
• Collaborate with other departments, such as procurement, to identify or qualify new suppliers.
• Collaborate with other departments, such as the Master data team, to identify accuracy of articles for accurate reporting.
• Continual involvement with subject matter experts to identify new and sustainable innovations in transport.
• Ensure that good governance is applied to all transport activities thereby creating an ethical environment.
• Managing all 3PL transport service provider relationships in a professional manner.
• Working as a part of project teams to plan and implement new initiatives at Stores or Fulfilment centers

Transport best practice 

• Utilize technology optimally and continue to stay abreast of best practice within the industry.
• Responsible for driving and implementing process improvement targets.
• Responsible for developing and improving standard operating procedures for existing/new processes to support store operations.
• Document Final Mile processes, such as workflows, cycle times, position responsibilities, or system flows.
• Assist with managing the daily operations of contract carriers, including monitoring reports and fostering positive working relationships with contract carriers
• Research, benchmark and develop transport standards, processes and operational practices to facilitate standardization and best practice and build understanding of the standardized transport operating practices, processes, and metrics to be applied in the operations.
• Monitor the loading and departures times fleet for the contract Carriers and resolve issues throughout the day
• Partner with the Regional Operations Managers or Fulfilment Managers identifying problem areas to improve operational efficiencies
• Train and develop contract carriers to meet and exceed customer expectations

Expense Control 

• Track, consolidate and evaluate cost and Fleet productivity metrics across the operations
• To operate within & below the set Budgets and Forecasts within area of responsibility.
• Produce annual budgets in line with company guidelines.
• Review the financial performance of the transport network monthly and provide action plans against any deviations.
• Support Finance in reviewing the monthly billing or SIT schedules to ensure billing accuracy.
• Manage transporter claims and ensure that we finalize such claims within a reasonable timeframe.
• Frequent Rate audits and assessments

Staff Management 

• Manage individual or team outputs so that performance and development needs can be identified to develop competence
• Provide adequate on the job training, coaching, support and counselling is provided to team members
• Ensure standards of performance are clearly defined, communicated and recorded where necessary
• Continuously assess and monitor that development plans are agreed and implemented to address continuous improvement
• Long term career development advice is accurately provided to team members
• The team is motivated towards continuous improvement and achievement of benchmark standards
• Team members are actively involved in setting goals and are encouraged to solve problems and make decisions relevant to their work
• Team members are treated in line with values and ethical guidelines

Self-management 

• Respect every individual by relating to others in an accepting and respectful manner, regardless of their organizational level, personality, or background;
• Adapt and learn – demonstrate creativity and strength in the face of change, obstacles, or adversity;
• Adapt to competing demands and shifting priorities;
• Update knowledge and skills to handle new complexities, challenges, and responsibilities. Seek exposure to new ideas and perspectives;
• Promote a work environment that respects, embraces, and values diversity in others;
• Identify and apply sound, fact-based criteria in setting priorities and making decisions;
• Look beyond symptoms to determine the root causes of problems, and identify and implement applicable solutions. Integrate knowledge and expertise in making fact-based recommendations and decisions;
• Conduct that is aligned with their code of ethics.

• BCom Degree or BTech in Logistics Management.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in Transport Management.
• 4-6 years of strategic management experience.
• Proven track record in transport and optimization.
• Excellent business acumen and analytical skills.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office Excel.
• Effective communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
• Deep understanding of contracts and transport management systems.
• Ability to manage and leverage talent, ensuring ethics and compliance.
• No criminal record.
• Contactable references.

Competencies and Skills

• Contracts Management- (Logistics SP”s)
• Effective communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills
• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy and precision
• Deep understanding of contracts, contract governance, contractual language and the contract lifecycle
• Critical thinking skills and the ability to research and understand legal and financial implications
• Superior reading, writing and language skills
• Excellent understanding of the business or industry, its services, customers and providers
• Creating and maintaining relationships with suppliers and customers
• Problem-solving contract-related issues
• Make informed judgements
• Build and influence team
• Ensure ethics and compliance
• Manage and leverage talent

Salary of R275 per hour.

Interested?

Should you meet all the requirements and would like to apply for this position, please forward your CV to Corné Bierman at cbierman@indgro.com.

Please also register on our Resumé Builder portal as follows:

Please remember to update your Resumé (CV) if any of the following details have changed:

• Personal Details, i.e., Marital Status and Contact Details
• Education, i.e., Additional qualifications obtained or courses completed
• Employment information

If you do not have the listed qualifications and experience, please do not apply, as you will unfortunately not be considered for this position.  We aim to reply to all applicants; however, it is not always possible due to the high interest in our vacancies.  Therefore, please consider your application unsuccessful if you do not hear from us within 2 (Two) weeks.

Important Notice

Indgro Outsourcing (Pty) Ltd, Trading as Indgro Multi Services Group™ (the Company), is a member of APSO and, as such, is bound by the Code of Ethics and Codes of Professional Practice, which include but are not limited to:

• The Company does not, as an Employment Services Provider, charge, directly or indirectly, work seekers (candidates) any fees for services rendered, which is by Clause 15 of the Employment Service Act 2014.
• The Company, as Employment Services Provider, further will not discriminate unfairly at any time in the recruitment process regardless of ethnic origin, color, gender, age, religion, political opinion, nationality, social origin, sexual orientation, or any other distinguishing characteristics within the proviso under the Employment Equity Act.
• No Promise of Employment:
  Applying for a position at the Company or submitting your CV to the Company is or will NOT construe (express or implied) that the Company or any of its affiliates will guarantee you any position for any particular period or at any specific compensation or benefit rate.