Branch Manager

The branch operations manager holds overall responsibility for the efficient functioning, operational performance, and strategic oversight of the depot. This includes leadership and coordination across all departments such as Groupages, Exports, Detentions, Transport, Third Party Services, and the Bondstore. The role requires a strong operational leader with a hands-on approach to managing people, processes, resources, client relationships, compliance, and sales activities. The incumbent is accountable for aligning depot performance with national goals, maintaining client satisfaction through service excellence, and ensuring operational compliance with OHS standards and internal SOPs. They must also manage Human Resources functions such as staff welfare, training, performance, and industrial relations, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. The position plays a key role in revenue generation, budgeting, cost control, and identifying new market opportunities within the freight and logistics environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsible for Cape Town Container Freight entirely.
• Oversee relevant Human Resources and Industrial Relations matters for employees.
• Oversee OHS / Health and Safety issues.
• Oversee operational queries and resolve issues.
• Oversee all the departments: Groupages, Exports, Detentions, Transport and Third Party.
• Oversee the bondstore and responsible for verifying and signing off every release out of the bondstore.
• Responsible for coordinating training for all employees.
• Responsible for leave approval and administrating leave for the administration department.
• Coordinating all the functions of the departments responsible for at the depot.
• Updating of rates for all regions nationally.
• Overseeing all supplies for all the departments responsible for ensuring that equipment and resources are provided for employees to ensure that they are able to function at their full ability – Vehicles / Fleet / Office Supplies / Cleaning equipment and supplies.
• Responsible for meeting with key clients to ensure service level agreements are being kept up to standard and overall client feedback about services.
• Responsible for leads, landing of new clients and / or business for Container Freight Services (CFS).
• Responsible for daily functioning of Branch / Regional sales / Operations / Customer Services.
• Controlling of Budget / Revenue / Controllable expenses.
• Reporting on the progress of Sales / New Business / Leads / Threated Lost / Business / Marketing Trends.
• Oversee and be able to delegate in the different departments: Acquittals / LCL Exams / PHO / SARS / Releases / Outturns / Invoicing / Capture / IDM’s / Detentions / Depot Admin Supervisors / Exports / Third Party and Bondstore / Ciris Systems – Credit Notes / Service Coder / Operating RCG / Reception / Purchase Orders.
• Meeting the budget - Trade revenue.
• Controllable expenses (Repairs and Maintenance).
• Report back on Budget to management.
• Chair departmental meetings (at least weekly; monthly branch Manager report back (budget (revenue and controllable expenses), sales (New business, business under threat, lost business/ market trends), general (Maintain/Retain relationships with Vanguard top ten regional customers and report back via SRT / VLS service delivery).
• Office Management (Managing Vehicles, Office Supplies, Cleaning Staff).
• Identify Market trade and new revenue streams (e.g. RCG filing fee, Handling).
• Actively involved in sales within their market (own their own customer portfolios).
• HR staff wellness.
• Accountability for maintaining all KPI tasks.
• Training – Identify individual and branch needs to ensure employees are proficiently skilled in their area of responsibility and all Vanguard procedures, products/ services (e.g. Map for action and new skills development plan (workplace skills plan – WSP)).
• Operational (opening and closing files, debtors, accuracy, service delivery) and responsible for customer service (queries, release documents) and supplier performance.
• Drawing up and maintenance of internal SOP’s for each and every department.
• Key role in Customer onboarding implementation; supporting sales through providing customer support on queries and internal escalations.
• Export telesales.
• Exports 3 days after SOB.
• File closing per route still to be determined JHB/Durban.
• OPA (Out of period adjustments).
• Operational Issues (Internal housekeeping , following SOP procedures).
• Be aware of Branch performance (Import and Export profitability and trade lane performance
• Utilisation and 2. Revenue/Margin.
• Ensure KPI’s are met - Number of calls achieved 25 (face to face, Online and Telesales).
• New Business.
• Trade Management.
• Container Utilisation.
• Number of calls achieved 85 (face to face, Online and Telesales).
• Retention of business.
• Customer Support Specialist.
• Written Communication.
• Rapport Building.
• Pricing

Qualifications and Skills:

• Minimum Matric
• Previous work experience in warehousing, manifestation, sales would be an advantage.
• Relevant tertiary qualification and/or equivalent level of competence
• 3-4 years managerial capacity - advantageous
• Possess excellent basic math skills.

Key Competencies:

• Interpersonal Skills: Client/customer interface.
• Trustworthy and Reliable
• Attention to detail
• Motivated
• Must enjoy practical and methodical work
• Be able to work quickly and safely
• Have good personal hygiene
• Have good communication skills
• Must be able to work as part of a team and independently.
• Engaging
• Technical/ Professional knowledge

Posted on 17 Apr 17:36, Closing date 17 May