Operations Manager

Role: Operations Manager

Reports to: Country Manager

Dotted-line / Functional reporting to: East Africa operations manager

Main purpose of this Role:

Coordinates and continuously improves the day-to-day operational activities of the company (including logistics, documentation, warehouse, and supply-chain processes), ensuring efficiency, quality, and compliance with local regulations and company standards.

Key responsibilities: 

1. Manage and oversee day-to-day operational activities, including shipment coordination, documentation, and warehouse or distribution workflows.
   

2. Ensure all shipment documentation is complete and accurate, and that shipments comply with local regulations of the receiving country.
   

3. Ensure local operations meet agreed service levels, cost targets, and quality standards.
   

4. Implement and follow standardised operating procedures issued by the management, adapting them where necessary to local legal or market requirements.
   

5. Ensure compliance with local regulatory requirements, customs procedures, and shipping/trade documentation standards (Incoterms, certificates of origin, import/export licences, etc.) applicable in the country.
   

6. Maintain accurate, up-to-date records within the companys internal data and ERP systems for all local operations.
   

7. Coordinate and support local staff, contractors, and third-party service providers (carriers, forwarders, warehouses, customs agents) operating in the country.
   

8. Oversee warehouse operations including stock receipts, storage, bagging, repacking, mixing activities where applicable, inventory accuracy and dispatch readiness.
   

9. Oversee inventory shrink control, HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) standards, and safety management.
   

10. Manage clearing agents, port/border customs procedures, and transit logistics optimization.
    

11. Coordinate routine maintenance, servicing and operational readiness of local production and warehouse equipment.
    

12. Monitor local operational performance and report regularly to the direct manager and dotted-line/functional manager.
    

13. Analyse local performance data and propose improvements to increase efficiency, reduce cost, and improve customer satisfaction.
    

14. Proactively identify and help resolve operational issues arising in the country, informing relevant parties in a timely manner.
    

15. Escalate unclear situations or problems, as well as matters beyond individual authority to the direct manager and/or dotted-line / functional manager.
    

16. Share local market knowledge and experience with colleagues, contributing to shared, more effective ways of working across the region.
    

17. Perform other duties as reasonably assigned by management – including Country Manager, dotted-line/functional manager and other management representatives.
    

Additional Requirements: 

• Perform duties independently while maintaining the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and ethical conduct.
  

• Use clear, solution-oriented, and professional language with all internal and external stakeholders.
  

• Contribute to a positive, collaborative environment, resolving workplace conflict constructively through established management channels
  

Ideal Candidate

• 3–5 years’ experience in operations, import/export, logistics, shipping or supply chain.
  

• Strong practical experience with sea freight, shipping, customs clearance and import operations.
  

• Experience coordinating warehousing and third-party logistics providers.
  

• Strong administrative and documentation skills.
  

• Experience managing operations across multiple locations or countries is an advantage.
  

• Comfortable coordinating multiple stakeholders.
  

• Strong follow-up skills, attention to detail and ability to resolve operational issues independently.
  

• Proficiency in Excel and operational reporting tools.