Operations Manager - Fleet

Position: Operations Manager Job Description & Proposed Remuneration Company / Location: Transport and logistics company - Tanzania Reporting: To the Board of Directors Employment: Full-time 1. Position overview: The Operations Manager will independently lead the entire transport and logistics operation and take full executive responsibility for operations, employees, customers, revenue, profitability, cash flow, compliance and sustainable growth. The Operations Manager reports directly to the Board, which provides strategic oversight. 2. Overall operations management: - Manage all departments, employees, assets and day-to-day business activities. - Establish an effective organization structure, operating policies, internal controls and reporting lines. - Recruit, supervise, evaluate and discipline personnel, including approximately 100 drivers, within approved policies. - Execute the Board-approved business strategy and budget. 3. Financial management and profitability: - Own the annual budget, forecasts, financial performance, cash flow and working capital. - Increase profitable revenue and manage operating costs, receivables and payables. - Review monthly profit and loss, balance sheet, cash flow and variance reports. - Ensure accurate accounting, statutory payments, tax compliance and timely audits. 4. Transport and fleet operations: - Manage a mixed fleet of approximately 120 vehicles, including big and small TATA trucks, big HOWO trucks, Scania, DAF and Eicher buses, together with approximately 100 drivers, covering deployment, routing and deliveries. - Maximize vehicle utilization and monitor profitability at individual vehicle level. - Control fuel consumption, tyres, repairs, preventive maintenance and breakdown downtime across all vehicle makes and types. - Maintain vehicle insurance, licences, permits, inspections and transport safety. - Assess fleet replacement, disposal, investment and outsourcing opportunities. 5. Sales and business development: - Develop and win profitable transport contracts with new and existing customers. - Set commercial rates and negotiate contracts within delegated authority. - Diversify the customer base and develop domestic and regional business opportunities. - Monitor customer service, retention, contract margins and collections. 6. Operational efficiency and cost control: - Track cost per kilometre, cost per tonne, fleet utilization and empty mileage. - Implement appropriate GPS, fuel monitoring and fleet-management controls. - Reduce waste, theft, idle assets, unnecessary staffing and supplier costs. - Benchmark performance and implement measurable efficiency improvements. 7. People, compliance and risk: - Set clear employee and driver KPIs, accountability, staffing plans and payroll controls. - Ensure compliance with Tanzanian transport, labour, tax and safety requirements. - Maintain insurance, accident-prevention systems and effective asset protection. - Identify and manage financial, legal, operational and reputational risks. 8. Executive authority and Board-reserved matters: The Operations Manager has full authority over routine operational and commercial decisions within Board-approved budgets and delegated authority limits, including staff management, customer pricing, supplier negotiations and operational resource allocation. Prior Board approval is required for major capital expenditure, material asset disposals, borrowing, commitments outside delegated limits, material strategic changes and other reserved matters established by the Board. 9. Key performance indicators: - KPI area: Profitability | Measure: Achievement of approved annual net profit and margin targets - KPI area: Revenue and customers | Measure: Profitable revenue growth and new contract wins - KPI area: Fleet productivity | Measure: Utilization, vehicle profitability, idle time and turnaround - KPI area: Cost and reliability | Measure: Fuel efficiency, cost/km, maintenance cost and downtime - KPI area: Working capital | Measure: Cash flow and overdue receivables - KPI area: People and compliance | Measure: Staff productivity, safety and regulatory compliance Numerical KPI targets will be approved annually by the Board. 10. Reporting to the Board: Monthly: management accounts, revenue and profit, cash flow, fleet-level results, fuel and maintenance costs, customer pipeline, receivables, staffing, risks and corrective actions. Quarterly: formal Board review of results against budget, KPIs and strategic priorities. Annually: business plan, operating and capital budgets, forecasts and proposed strategic initiatives. 11. Compensation, incentives and future opportunities: Fixed salary: USD 5,000 gross per month, subject to applicable payroll taxes and statutory deductions. Profit sharing: The Operations Manager will also be eligible for a profit-sharing arrangement. The structure, amount, eligibility criteria and payment terms will be agreed separately with the Board and documented in the employment agreement. Potential future equity: Subject to performance, tenure, mutual agreement and required corporate approvals, the Operations Manager may be considered for an award or allocation of shares in the company. No equity entitlement is guaranteed by this job description. Potential Board membership: The Operations Manager may also be considered for future appointments to the Board of Directors, subject to the applicable appointment process and approvals. This is a potential career opportunity, not an automatic appointment. 12. Qualifications and experience: - At least 10 years of senior management experience, ideally in transport, logistics or fleet-intensive operations. - Proven P&L ownership, financial discipline and ability to improve business profitability. - Strong commercial negotiation, leadership, fleet economics and operational skills. - Working knowledge of Tanzanian business and regulatory requirements; high integrity and independence. 13. Accountability and expected outcome: The Operations Manager is accountable for company-wide performance and delivery of Board-approved objectives. The Board will assess financial results, operational improvements, growth, leadership, compliance and sustainability. Underperformance will be addressed under the employment agreement. Core mandate: Build the company into a consistently profitable, efficient, competitive and independently managed transport and logistics company.