Contract Manager (Fuel Transport)

JOB AD: TRANSPORT MANAGER

Location: Durban

Department: Operations

Reports To: Executive Management

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced, results-driven Transport Manager with experience in the Fuel Transportation industry, to lead and oversee our transport operations. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, and compliant management of all transport activities while driving operational excellence, productivity, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement.

This is a senior leadership role requiring extensive experience in fuel transport operations, fleet management, compliance, budgeting, and people management within a fast-paced logistics environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day transport operations to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective service delivery.
• Lead, coach, develop and manage operational staff, including drivers, supervisors and department managers.
• Ensure optimal vehicle utilisation, fleet availability and labour productivity.
• Monitor operational performance through key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement corrective actions where required.
• Manage driver performance, disciplinary processes, investigations and performance reviews.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, road transport legislation, health and safety regulations, and customer requirements.
• Oversee vehicle maintenance planning and minimise fleet downtime.
• Monitor and manage operational costs, fuel consumption, driver overtime, excessive idling, speeding violations, DriveCam events, accidents and incidents.
• Investigate customer complaints and ensure corrective and preventative actions are implemented within required timeframes.
• Develop and implement operational policies, procedures and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Prepare operational reports, forecasts, budgets and management presentations.
• Manage relationships with customers, service providers and key stakeholders.
• Conduct daily depot inspections to ensure operational readiness, housekeeping and asset maintenance.
• Chair operational, safety, technical and driver meetings.
• Ensure on-time departures and high levels of customer service.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training and succession planning for operational staff.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Transport Management, Business Management or a related field advantageous.
• Minimum 8–10 years' experience in transport, logistics or fleet operations, with at least 5 years in a management role.
• Proven experience managing large transport fleets and operational teams.
• Strong knowledge of fleet management, transport legislation, health and safety regulations, and dangerous goods operations.
• Experience in budgeting, forecasting and financial management.
• Sound understanding of industrial relations and disciplinary procedures.
• Excellent leadership, planning and decision-making abilities.
• Advanced computer literacy, including Microsoft Office and transport management systems.
• Valid driver's licence.

Key Competencies

• Leadership and people management
• Strategic and operational planning
• Budget management
• Fleet optimisation
• Compliance management
• Customer relationship management
• Conflict resolution
• Negotiation and influencing skills
• Critical thinking and problem-solving
• Excellent communication skills
• Time management and organisation
• Ability to perform under pressure

Why Join Us?

We offer an exciting opportunity to lead a high-performing transport operation within a dynamic logistics environment. If you are passionate about operational excellence, safety, customer service and developing high-performing teams, we encourage you to apply

If you meet the minimum criteria noted above, then please submit you CV via mail to info@crusadelogistics.com with " CONTRACTS MANAGER POSITION " as the subject

Packages - market related.

Full background checks will be conducted.

If you do not receive a response within 2 weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: R35 000,00 - R45 000,00 per month

Application Question(s):

• Do you have at least 8 years experience in senior level contracts manager role/similar role in the Fuel transport industry?

Work Location: In person