Assistant Transport Manager

Role Overview

This position oversees the daily execution of outbound transport operations, managing fleet deployment and ensuring deliveries meet on-time and in-full (OTIF) targets while controlling costs. The role coordinates vehicle planning, transporter performance, and the full accounts payable cycle for carriers—from invoice collection and rate verification through to reconciliation and submission into financial systems. Although the role does not approve invoices, it holds full accountability for the completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of all transport-related financial and operational data, working closely with Finance and audit teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and assign daily fleet resources to match dispatch schedules, optimising routes and load consolidation to maximise vehicle utilisation.
• Coordinate with transporter supervisors to address vehicle shortages, breakdowns, or late arrivals, escalating risks that could affect OTIF performance.
• Identify and resolve operational bottlenecks such as loading delays, poor slot adherence, or idle vehicle time to reduce dwell time and cost leakages.
• Manage the full accounts payable process for transporters: collect invoices, verify rates against contracts, validate proof-of-delivery and trip sheets, and resolve discrepancies within defined turnaround times.
• Submit verified invoices into the VIM workflow for Finance processing, tracking their status through approval and payment cycles to ensure clean reconciliations.
• Maintain professional, execution-focused relationships with transport partners, monitoring reliability, service discipline, and escalating chronic or contractual breaches.
• Track and report key performance metrics—vehicle availability, route adherence, delivery delays, cost per trip, and asset utilisation—via daily, weekly, and monthly dashboards.
• Support audits by providing accurate transport and financial records, and apply Lean or Kaizen methods to improve efficiency and cost control.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Transport & Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of experience in transport operations, fleet management, or logistics within a fast-paced distribution environment.
• Proven track record in daily fleet planning, route optimisation, transporter management, and delivering on outbound OTIF targets.
• Strong understanding of transporter invoice management, accounts payable processes, POD validation, financial reconciliation, and VIM submission workflows.
• Demonstrated ability to monitor KPIs, manage service providers, drive cost optimisation, ensure compliance, and proactively escalate operational risks.