Job Description
The primary function of the Logistics Manager is to establish, manage and grow a profitable Logistics Department within the company, ensuring seamless, cost-effective and high-quality transportation solutions for guests, while developing strong supplier relationships, efficient operational systems and commercially sustainable revenue streams.
Transition and Departmental Implementation
- Take ownership of the existing Flights & Road Transfers function being transferred.
- Work closely within our group to ensure a smooth and structured handover of responsibilities, systems, supplier relationships, bookings and operational knowledge.
- Review the existing operation, processes, supplier agreements, pricing structures and financial performance.
- Identify operational, financial and service gaps and implement improvements.
- Establish the Logistics Department, including its systems and processes.
- Ensure all relevant information, historical data, supplier contacts, contracts and operational knowledge are properly transferred and retained.
Flights Management
- Oversee all flight-booking and flight-related services currently provided by the transferred function.
- Ensure flights are booked accurately, competitively and in accordance with company procedures.
- Manage relationships with airlines, travel partners, consolidators and other relevant suppliers.
- Monitor flight changes, delays, cancellations and disruptions and ensure appropriate action is taken.
- Ensure flight arrangements are integrated effectively with accommodation, transfers and guest itineraries.
- Identify opportunities to improve flight pricing, supplier terms and margins.
- Provide after-hours support/escalation point for urgent travel issues according to the roster.
Road Transfer Management
- Manage the network of transport providers, drivers and vehicle suppliers.
- Review and renegotiate existing supplier rates and agreements where appropriate.
- Ensure reliable vehicles and drivers are available to meet operational requirements.
- Manage airport transfers, property-to-property transfers, private transfers and other transportation requirements.
- Optimise vehicle scheduling, routing and utilisation to minimise unnecessary costs and empty kilometres.
- Maintain appropriate backup suppliers and contingency arrangements.
Commercial and Profitability Responsibility
- Take responsibility for the commercial performance and profitability of the Logistics Department.
- Understand the existing department's revenue, costs, margins and profitability and establish a clear baseline following the transition.
- Develop and implement appropriate pricing and markup structures.
- Ensure that flights and transfers are priced appropriately to achieve agreed gross profit margins.
- Monitor revenue, direct costs, gross profit, margins and departmental overheads.
- Identify opportunities to increase revenue from the existing client and property base.
- Identify opportunities to improve margins through supplier negotiations, volume agreements and operational efficiencies.
- Control unnecessary expenditure and operational leakage.
- Monitor profitability by service, route, client/property and other relevant categories.
- Prepare and manage the departmental budget.
- Provide regular financial and performance reporting to senior management.
- Take corrective action where the department is not achieving agreed financial targets.
Supplier Management
- Negotiate rates, payment terms and service levels where possible.
- Develop strong relationships with transport providers and other strategic suppliers.
- Regularly benchmark supplier rates and service levels.
- Monitor supplier performance and address service failures or commercial issues.
Guest experience
- Ensure that the transferred service continues to meet or exceed existing guest-service standards.
- Establish clear standards for airport meet-and-greet, driver presentation, vehicle quality, communication and punctuality.
- Monitor guest feedback and complaints.
- Identify opportunities to improve the guest journey through better integration of flights, transfers and accommodation.
Systems, Controls and Processes
- Review the systems currently used and determine which should be retained, improved or replaced.
- Establish centralised booking, scheduling, confirmation, invoicing and reporting processes.
- Implement appropriate financial and operational controls.
- Ensure bookings are accurately captured and tracked from initial request through to completion and invoicing.
- Establish clear procedures for cancellations, refunds, amendments and supplier reconciliation.
- Identify opportunities to automate administrative processes and improve efficiency.
Team Establishment and Management
Internal Stakeholder Management
Salary
Negotiable depending on experience
Required Qualifications
Qualification:
Tertiary qualification preferred
Valid Driver’s Licence and reliable vehicle.
Valid passport.
Must be willing to travel nationally and internationally when required.
5 - 7 years’ experience in a similar position would be an advantage.
Strategic analytical and data driven approach
Experience in working with Tour Operators, DMC’s, Travel Agents, Suppliers
Strong communication and negotiation skills
Interpersonal competencies and presentation skills.
Results oriented and able to meet deadlines.
Self-motivated, target-driven, and results-oriented
Efficient in time management.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
The ability to interact, and work with multiple stakeholders to achieve service and departmental goals.
A good understanding of budgeting and the ability to work within set budgets
Excellent computer skills.
Proficient in MS Office (Outlook, Exel, Word, PowerPoint, Internet)
Excellent Mathematics skills
Location
Kwazulu Natal
Durban
Application details
Jean Rymer
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