Assistant Contract Manager/ People Logistics at Bidvest Prestige

Job Description
Principal Duties and Responsibilities

People & Team Management

• Leadership & Supervision: Lead, mentor, and supervise a team of company and/or contracted drivers and logistics assistants, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and customer service.
• Scheduling & Coverage: Manage driver shifts, rotas, and daily vehicle assignments to ensure 100% coverage of all planned routes and unexpected needs (e.g., absenteeism, delays).
• Performance & Training: Conduct regular performance coaching, address employee concerns, and ensure all drivers are adequately trained on safety protocols, defensive driving, route changes, and company policies.
• Compliance: Verify driver licenses, certifications, and compliance with all relevant transportation laws, including hours-of-service regulations.

Planning & Operational Excellence

• Route Optimization: Plan, review, and continuously optimize transport routes and schedules to maximize vehicle efficiency, minimize waiting times for personnel, and reduce overall fuel/operational costs.
• Daily Execution: Oversee daily dispatch and end-of-shift check-in processes, ensuring all vehicles are deployed on time and all logs (manual and electronic) are completed accurately.
• Incident Management: Act as the first point of escalation for all transport-related issues, including delays, vehicle breakdowns, road traffic incidents, and personnel grievances. Implement immediate corrective actions and report findings to the Logistics AM.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate daily with Operations and HR teams to anticipate and accommodate changes in staffing levels, peak-period demands, and special event transport needs.

Safety, Fleet, & Compliance

• Safety Assurance: Enforce strict adherence to all local, state, and federal transport regulations, company safety policies, and site-specific rules.
• Vehicle Maintenance: Monitor and manage the vehicle maintenance schedule (in coordination with Fleet Management/Maintenance department), ensuring all vehicles undergo timely preventative maintenance, inspections, and repairs to maintain full operational readiness.
• Vehicle Audits: Conduct daily/weekly audits of driver vehicle checks (pre-trip/post-trip inspections) and ensure proper inventory and security of company-issued equipment (keys, fuel cards, communication devices, etc.).
• Record Keeping: Maintain meticulous, up-to-date records for all transport operations, including maintenance logs, incident reports, route performance data, and fuel consumption.

Administration and Reporting

• Data Analysis: Track and analyse key performance indicators (KPIs) such as On-Time Performance, vehicle utilization rates, fuel efficiency, maintenance costs, and incident rates.
• Reporting: Prepare and present daily, weekly, and monthly performance reports to the Logistics AM, highlighting operational successes and areas requiring improvement.
• Cost Management: Monitor the transport budget for the team, focusing on cost-saving opportunities through route efficiency and responsible management of resources.

Working Conditions

• This role requires a combination of office work (planning, reporting) and active floor/yard management (driver check-ins, vehicle checks).
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as logistics operations often run 24/7.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods in a warehouse/yard environment and work in varying weather conditions.
• 3+ years’ experience within People logistics – transporting 50+ people and route planning