Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

Zambia Cargo and Logistics Limited (ZCL) is a regional logistics service provider, wholly owned by the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) through the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). With operational terminals in Tanzania (Dar Es Salaam), Walvis Bay (Namibia), and Ndola (Zambia), ZCL is committed to delivering high-quality logistics solutions across the region.

ZCL has engaged Beatmas Human Resource Consultants Limited to recruit a suitably qualified and experienced professional for the position of Chief Operations Officer (COO).

Position Details

Job Title: Chief Operations Officer

Reporting To: Chief Executive Officer

Department: Operations

Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Vacancies: 1

Job Summary

The Chief Operations Officer (COO) will provide strategic leadership and oversight of ZCL’s logistics, transportation, and warehousing operations. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving operational excellence, ensuring regulatory compliance, enhancing efficiency, and supporting the organization’s overall strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Operations Management

• Develop and implement the overall operations strategy in alignment with the company’s goals and objectives.
• Oversee daily logistics, transportation, and warehouse operations to ensure efficiency and service excellence.
• Set performance targets and monitor progress against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Identify and implement operational improvements to enhance productivity and service delivery.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends, risks, and growth opportunities.

Financial and Resource Management

• Develop and manage the operations budget, ensuring cost control and alignment with financial goals.
• Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives across logistics and warehousing functions.
• Collaborate closely with the Finance Department to monitor operational financial performance.

Compliance, Risk and Governance

• Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, health, safety, and environmental requirements.
• Identify and mitigate operational risks to ensure business continuity and resilience.

Stakeholder and Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, suppliers, and strategic partners.
• Negotiate contracts and agreements to secure favorable terms for the company.
• Ensure customer needs are met through effective and timely delivery of services.

People Leadership and Organizational Development

• Lead and mentor the operations management team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
• Conduct performance reviews and support staff development initiatives.
• Communicate company goals and strategic direction to the operations team.

Innovation and Sustainability

• Drive digital transformation initiatives, including automation and data analytics integration.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies to improve operational efficiency.
• Lead environmental sustainability initiatives, including green logistics practices and carbon footprint reduction.

Executive Reporting and Representation

• Provide regular reports to the CEO and Executive Team on operational performance.
• Represent the Operations Department in executive meetings and strategic decision-making processes.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Master’s degree or MBA will be an added advantage.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in logistics or operations management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Extensive experience in supply chain management, transportation, and warehousing operations.
• Proven track record of driving operational efficiency and managing large teams.

Key Competencies

• Strategic and results-oriented leadership.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent stakeholder and relationship management abilities.
• High level of integrity and corporate governance awareness.
• Strong communication and team-building capabilities.

• Develop and implement the overall operations strategy in alignment with the company’s goals and objectives.
• Oversee daily logistics, transportation, and warehouse operations to ensure efficiency and service excellence.
• Set performance targets and monitor progress against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Identify and implement operational improvements to enhance productivity and service delivery.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends, risks, and growth opportunities.
• Develop and manage the operations budget, ensuring cost control and alignment with financial goals.
• Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives across logistics and warehousing functions.
• Collaborate closely with the Finance Department to monitor operational financial performance.
• Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, health, safety, and environmental requirements.
• Identify and mitigate operational risks to ensure business continuity and resilience.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, suppliers, and strategic partners.
• Negotiate contracts and agreements to secure favorable terms for the company.
• Ensure customer needs are met through effective and timely delivery of services.
• Lead and mentor the operations management team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
• Conduct performance reviews and support staff development initiatives.
• Communicate company goals and strategic direction to the operations team.
• Drive digital transformation initiatives, including automation and data analytics integration.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies to improve operational efficiency.
• Lead environmental sustainability initiatives, including green logistics practices and carbon footprint reduction.
• Provide regular reports to the CEO and Executive Team on operational performance.
• Represent the Operations Department in executive meetings and strategic decision-making processes.

• Strategic and results-oriented leadership.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent stakeholder and relationship management abilities.
• High level of integrity and corporate governance awareness.
• Strong communication and team-building capabilities.

• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Master’s degree or MBA will be an added advantage.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in logistics or operations management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Extensive experience in supply chain management, transportation, and warehousing operations.
• Proven track record of driving operational efficiency and managing large teams.