The Forwarding Operations Manager is responsible for managing all clearing & forwarding operations, including but not limited to customs clearance, cargo transportation handling, ensuring compliance with regulations & laws related to international and domestic trade, monitoring & managing the performance of staff, oversee all freight forwarding operations. The role is based in Mombasa, Kenya.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Operations Manager.

• Ensure adherence to Operations SOP and quality standards.
• Ensure SOPs are up to date with changes in operations
• Proper supervision of appointed C&F agents (border points and others).
• Promptly attend to operations queries that the team is unable to resolve.
• Promptly attend to issues with customs, KPA, or any other body involved in the X&F matters.
• Effectively supervise the operations of all offices and report accurately on operations.
• Benchmark C&F operations for better efficiency.
• Innovate ways to make C&F operations more efficient and effective.

Customer Management.

• Ensure all clients are promptly updated on their shipments through DSR
• Attend to customer queries and concerns.
• Advising clients on imports, export and other formalities.
• Regularly meet operational stakeholders and clients for feedback and addressing any issues.

Sales & Marketing.

• Liaise with commercial team to achieve set annual budgets.
• Identify potential market opportunities to gain new customers.
• Liaise with the commercial team on operational costs when quotes are being sent to clients.

Financial Management.

• Coordinating and negotiating with shipping lines on the revolving funds.
• Coordinate and negotiate with CFS for best rates.
• Seeking waivers on charges.
• Liaise with KPA for better rates and services.
• Ensure operations do not incur any demurrage on all shipments.
• Ensure operations are not delayed due to late payments of duty.
• Zero penalties on shipments (declarations or duty).
• Participate in budget preparation and implementation.

Risk Management.

• Risk assessment and management if shipments and cargo being handled.
• C&F operational risk assessment and management.
• Review operations risk matrix biannually.

Staff Management.

• Conduct employee evaluations as scheduled, both probation and annual.
• Capacity building for all the staff in operations.
• Staff support, advice and training on operational issues.
• Ensure staff safety at work.
• Encourage operations staff to be creative and innovative.
• Reporting & Communication.
• Prompt and accurate submission of weekly reports and monthly operations report.

Management.

• Attend the monthly management meeting.
• Implement agreed upon projects in the meeting.
• Advise management on improvements and growth strategies.
• Strive to achieve the corporate strategic plan for the organization.

Stakeholder Management.

• Attend stakeholder meetings and report on same.
• Address company problems/issues with stakeholder.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:

• 100% correct declaration
• 100% adherence to forwarding SOP
• Minimum 10 client visit per quarter and report on the same.
• Minimum 3 shipping line visits per quarter and report on the same
• Timely renewal of customs license.
• Zero penalties.
• Proper management of shipping line account.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum bachelor in transport and logistics.
• Diploma in C&F & EACFFPC a must.
• Be fully conversant with KRA, KPA, CFS, KEBS, KEPHIS and all other relevant stakeholders’ systems, procedures and rules.
• Be fully conversant with bonds management
• Minimum 5 years’ progressive experience in a busy C&F firm and management role.