Distributions Operations Manager

Job Description

Job Title: Distributions Operations Manager
Department: Distribution
Location: Lagos (with nationwide travel across distribution routes and depots in Nigeria)
Manager/Supervisor: MD/CEO
Contract Type: Full-Time
Salary: Highly Competitive/ Open to negotiation

Job Summary
As Distributions Operations Manager, you are responsible for coordinating the end-to-end movement of client products across Nigeria and managing all stakeholders within the distribution value chain. You will drive contract delivery to client companies while optimising truck movement across the various products being moved, and you are accountable for achieving 100% truck utilisation. You will partner closely with the Truck Maintenance Workshop Manager to ensure preventive maintenance is carried out, sustaining the maximum possible availability of all trucks.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities
• Plan, coordinate, and oversee the daily movement of client products across all delivery routes and depots nationwide, ensuring 100% truck utilisation and asset productivity.
• Serve as the primary point of coordination for all stakeholders within the distribution value chain, including client companies, depot/warehouse teams, drivers, transporters/agents, and regulatory bodies.
• Ensure full and timely delivery of contracted volumes to client companies in line with agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and delivery timelines.
• Develop and optimise truck scheduling, route planning, and load consolidation to maximise vehicle utilisation and minimise empty or idle running.
• Partner closely with the Truck Maintenance Workshop Manager to align preventive maintenance schedules with delivery plans, ensuring maximum truck availability without disrupting client commitments.
• Monitor real-time truck movement, fleet location, and delivery status using GPS tracking/telematics systems, proactively resolving delays, diversions, or bottlenecks.
• Manage relationships with client companies, providing regular updates, resolving delivery escalations, and ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Coordinate with depot/warehouse managers, loading/offloading teams, and dispatch personnel to ensure smooth product handovers and quick turnaround times.
• Track and control distribution operating costs, including fuel consumption, toll charges, driver allowances, and third-party haulage costs, against budget.
• Ensure full compliance with road transport regulations, weight/axle load limits, and safety standards (FRSC, VIO, and other applicable regulatory bodies) across all truck movements.
• Lead incident, breakdown, and accident response coordination in the field, working with the Truck Maintenance Workshop Manager and relevant stakeholders to minimise delivery disruption.
• Supervise, train, and manage dispatch officers, drivers, and route/logistics coordinators, ensuring adherence to standard operating procedures and performance expectations.
• Develop and maintain distribution KPI dashboards, and prepare periodic performance reports for the MD/CEO and client companies.
• Manage claims relating to product losses, damages, or shortages during transit, ensuring timely investigation, resolution, and reporting.
• Plan for seasonal/peak-period capacity requirements, coordinating additional trucks, drivers, or third-party transporters as needed.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance delivery efficiency, reduce transit time, and improve truck utilisation rate.
• Ensure accurate and timely documentation for all shipments, including waybills, proof of delivery (POD), and regulatory permits.

Education & Competencies Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Transportation, Business Administration, or a related field; a Master’s degree or professional certification (e.g., CIPS, CILT) is an advantage.
• Minimum of 8-10 years cognate experience in distribution/logistics operations, fleet or transport management, or supply chain management, with at least 3 years in a managerial role.
• Proven experience managing multi-location truck distribution operations within Nigeria, ideally within a 3PL, FMCG, or logistics environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing client relationships and contract delivery obligations in a logistics/distribution context.
• Strong knowledge of route planning, load optimisation, and truck scheduling.
• Proficiency in GPS tracking/telematics and fleet or transport management software.
• Excellent stakeholder management and client relationship skills.
• Strong negotiation and vendor/third-party transporter management skills.
• Analytical and data-driven decision-making using distribution and logistics KPIs.
• Knowledge of Nigerian road transport regulations, safety standards, and regulatory bodies (FRSC, VIO).
• Strong leadership, team management, and staff supervision skills.
• Budgeting and cost control skills.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office and reporting/dashboard tools.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Truck Utilisation Rate (target: 100%)
• On-Time, In-Full (OTIF) Delivery Rate
• Contract/SLA Compliance Rate with client companies
• Cost per Kilometre / Cost per Tonne Delivered
• Fleet Availability Rate (in partnership with the Truck Maintenance Workshop Manager)
• Transit Time / Delivery Turnaround Time
• Product Loss, Damage, and Shortage Rate
• Customer/Client Satisfaction Score
• Safety Incident Rate on Distribution Routes

Work Environment
Primarily field-based, involving frequent travel across distribution routes, depots, ports, and client locations nationwide, combined with office-based coordination and reporting.

Benefits
• Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) coverage
• Pension scheme
• Group Life Insurance

NB: All information will be treated with strictest confidentiality