Network Optimization Manager at RCL Foods

Job description

Purpose of the Role:

To manage the scheduling and routing of vehicles in the primary and secondary network to meet customer service requirements in the most cost effective manner.

Minimum Requirements:

• Minimum of a post graduate degree in logistics management or a qualified industrial engineer.
• Valid Code EB drivers' license.
• A minimum of 3 to 8 years in various areas of the supply chain (planning, transportation and warehousing).
• Experience in multi-drop and bulk transport management would be advantageous.

Key Accountabilities:

• Strategy Execution-
• Influence and advise on tactics to maximize the delivery of key strategic distribution and network objectives & targets.
• Operational Planning-
• Manage the daily planning and scheduling of all deliveries in the network.
• Improve transportation routes through constant analysis and updating of routing and route data.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant national, provincial and municipal bylaws during the planning process.
• Ensure the planning team maintains the lowest distribution cost profile.
• Set, evaluate and deliver distribution cost targets across the outbound supply chain through cross functional meetings and collaboration.
• Identify and deliver operational cost reduction and cost avoidance initiatives.
• Interface with the primary and secondary transport management regarding routing and scheduling issues.
• Identify key transport cost drivers.
• Review planned routes at least bi-annually for all branches
• Work with suppliers and customers planning routes and scheduling delivery times.
• Promote continuous improvement and best practice.
• Drive agreed change initiatives through collaboration and cross functional team work.
• Analyze future fleet requirements and configurations to meet growth objectives and minimize cost. Recommend these to the business and integrate into budgeting and capex forecasting.
• New Business Take-on Planning-
• Assist the Supply Chain Strategy Manager in determining fleet requirements and least cost routing options to facilitate new business take-on.
• Identify new customer take-on requirements and plan the best fit into the existing network.
• Information and Data Management-
• Assist in network evaluation and optimization activities and identify new ways of working/ transport planning.
• Evaluate all data entered into the system and provide recommendations to upgrade the information data system.
• Manage the development of a comprehensive route analysis model; creating several routes and comparing the results.
• Analyze and interpret data into meaningful management information and prepare reports, research, and maps for executive decision-making, particularly in the evaluation of new business opportunities.
• Technical Expertise-
• Provide transport planning expertise to enable relevant decision making.
• Drive completion of transport elements of network evaluation and optimization initiatives.
• Participate in external forums to acquire more technical expertise, benchmark and build understanding of government’s transportation network plans and sector trends and movements.
• Financial Management-
• Manage costs to ensure lowest cost of distribution and the optimal utilization of assets
• Monitor and report on a monthly basis on actual targets versus budget and work with the team to address and areas of non-conformance or concern.
• Staff and Team Management-
• Lead and develop staff within the context of the Labour Relations Act, Employment Equity Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act and the Skills Development Act.
• Manage staff activities, ensuring service levels are met and protocols are adhered to.
• Manage staff leave and general time management issues.
• Manage and deliver on career development and succession plans to enable the development of a future leaders.
• Champion staff training and development.
• Conduct regular performance appraisals with subordinates and address poor performance.
• Conduct regular meetings, ensure that records are kept, action plans agreed to and are delivered upon.