Operations Officer – Logistics & Export

Role Overview

This role is the operational backbone of a Nairobi-based freight and export team, responsible for keeping goods moving across borders and ensuring every shipment is backed by accurate, compliant paperwork. You will spend your days coordinating dispatch schedules, liaising with clearing agents and carriers, and monitoring inventory flows so that cargo arrives on time without regulatory hiccups. Your work directly protects the company’s profit margins by preventing delays, penalties, and unnecessary freight costs.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and supervise daily transport and shipment schedules for both local and cross-border routes, adjusting allocations based on cargo volume and transit deadlines.
• Track in-transit consignments in real time, flagging potential bottlenecks and coordinating rerouting or alternative transport options when needed.
• Prepare and verify all export documentation, including commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, airway bills, and certificates of origin, before submission to authorities.
• Work directly with customs brokers, port officials, KRA customs, and KEBS to expedite import and export clearances while maintaining full legal compliance.
• Act as the primary contact between the company and shipping lines, haulage contractors, third-party logistics providers, and overseas buyers regarding operational issues.
• Oversee warehouse dispatch activities and inter-depot stock transfers, ensuring customer orders are fulfilled accurately against available inventory.
• Maintain spreadsheets and ERP records that track shipment costs, lead times, carrier performance, and customs clearance efficiency, then present monthly summaries for review.
• Audit existing freight routes, rate cards, and clearance procedures to identify cost-saving opportunities and recommend process improvements.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• Minimum three years of hands-on experience in logistics, freight forwarding, or export operations, with direct responsibility for end-to-end shipment processing.
• Strong practical knowledge of multi-modal transport, customs clearance workflows, and international trade documentation standards.
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, and data consolidation; familiarity with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics is a plus.
• Professional certification from KISM, CIPS, or a recognized logistics body is highly desirable but not mandatory.
• Excellent attention to detail for producing error-free trade paperwork and inventory records under pressure.
• Strong problem-solving mindset, with the ability to make quick decisions during customs hold-ups, port congestion, or transit disruptions.
• Capacity to handle multiple shipment pipelines simultaneously and communicate clearly with diverse stakeholders across different time zones.

What We Offer / Why Join

You will receive a competitive gross monthly salary of between Kshs. 65,000 and 70,000, depending on experience. This role offers real ownership of high-volume export and regional freight operations, meaning your decisions directly shape delivery performance and cost efficiency. There is also a clear path for advancement into senior positions such as Supply Chain Lead, Freight Operations Manager, or International Trade Specialist as you build your track record here.