Logistics Specialist

Job title: Logistics Specialist

Location: Durban, South Africa

ABOUT UPL:

UPL is focused on emerging as a premier global provider of total crop solutions designed to secure the world’s long-term food supply. Winning farmer's hearts across the globe, while leading the way with innovative products and services that make agriculture sustainable, UPL is the fastest-growing company in the industry. Our successes in the field add up to powerful financials. UPL delivers results from protecting crops that translate into attractive investor value. Based on the recognition that humankind is one community, UPL’s overarching commitment is to improve areas of its presence, workplace, and customer engagement.

Our purpose is ‘OpenAg’. An agriculture network that feeds sustainable growth for all. No limits, no borders.

We are one team, for maximum impact. One team with shared goals. We have a laser-like focus on what our customers need and want, on anticipating their future needs, and on how we can create innovative solutions and experiences for them. We think outside the box and go beyond our comfort zone. We believe in agility, we mix the power of speed, with structure from process. And wherever we can, we always believe in having fun

Role Summary

We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Multi-Modal Freight Logistics Specialist to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will have extensive and proven experience across various transportation methods, focused on Sea and Road Freight but also Air, Warehousing & Distribution.  Experience in leading the end-to-end Tender processes from concept to post award contracts management. Incumbent will by extension lead the integration, improvement (optimization) and cost reduction to ensure measurable business value and enhances  customer satisfaction. Strong on budgeting, costing control and negotiation with an ability to deescalate conflict.

Role Responsibilities

INBOUND & OUTBOUND SEA FREIGHT MANAGEMENT

• Manage all Inbound business requirements from conception of need to delivery  
• Ensure step-change improvement in 3PL Forwarding & Clearing service delivery & cost  
• Debottleneck Global Sea freight (Imports and Exports) for optimal Inventory availability  

ROAD FREIGHT PLANNING AND OPTIMIZATION

• Design/Support Integrated Load and Distribution Plans to maximise highest service level & lowest cost
• Significantly improve S&OE covering inbound, multiple warehouses, production, order entry & delivery
• Ensure Cross Border transportation meet Internal and end -customer service & cost expectation
• Optimize transport operations to attain Excellence, employing mathematical & cost modelling

BUDGETING AND COST CONTROL   

• Compile and Manage Logistics Budgets  
• Improve outsourced transport operations & policies to support budget attainment
• Monitor and analyze transportation rates and trends to realize significant cost reduction
• Ensure no value leakage from contracts & SLA’s including transport billing overcharges

MANAGE PROCUREMENT OF TRANSPORT PROCESS

• Facilitate transport purchasing i.e. RFQ, RFP, RFI within UPL governance guard rails
• Post Award Contract management including SLA design and management
• Ensure measurable cost benefits accrue to UPL from all Transport tenders

CONTRACTING

• Ensure Transporter contracts are negotiated to ensure lowest cost over  its life cycle
• Design and manage Transporter SLA and relationships for high flexibility and service
• Religiously ensure compliance to all DG Regulations by transporters and UPL operations
• Demonstrate Excellence in Negotiation  

PEOPLE & COMMUNICATION

• Collaborate well with internal teams i.e. Supply Planning, Commercial, Procurement, Warehouse, to significantly minimize stock outs
• Directly support Warehouse & Distribution Manager and partner with Supply Planning Manager & Head of Procurement on Optimization Projects
• Support and actively demonstrate UPL Values in all internal and external engagements

TECHNOLOGY & REPORTING

• Fully utilise available technology to gain insights from data for improvement
• Implement and manage fully or semi-automated TMS
• Design Transport KPI’s and Dashboard /Control Tower
• Compile & present Transport activity, exceptions, including financial performance reports

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

• Conceptualise and lead transport & distribution improvement projects across Southern Africa 

Responsibility Weightage and % of Time Spent Matrix

Financial Accountability

• Budgeting
• Cost analysis and management
•  

Strategic:                                                        Strategic 40%; Tactical 60%

Number of Direct Reports:                         1

     Number of Indirect Reports:                      1

Internal Stakeholders

Stakeholder 1

• Head of Supply  Chain

Stakeholder 2

• Commercial Head

Stakeholder 3

• Commercial Managers

External Interactions

External Interaction 1

• Transporters
• Transporter Forums
• Suppliers

External Interaction 2

• Dangerous Goods Forums
• Security Bodies

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required

Technical Requirements:

• Bachelor degree or equivalent in Transport Economics or Engineering with core competencies in Cost management and Optimization
• Experience in the Dangerous Goods field including 3PL management
• Multi-modal Transportation background covering Sea, Road, Air as well as Warehousing
• Extensive knowledge and experience of Freight Forwarding, Clearing, Sea, Road and Air Transport Planning and day to day execution
• Strong in negotiation, report writing and presentations
• Data Science skills including Advanced Excel  and  Transport Control Tower experience

Behavioural Requirements

• Analytical
• Excellent communicator
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure
• Assimilate with a multicultural, High Performing team
• Big picture thinker, able to function on both  tactical and  granular executions  level of tall transport modes and  distribution

UPL Competencies 

• Adaptability & Resilience

Recognizes and is open to changing circumstances and alters behavior and scales up as necessary; increases personal awareness and appreciation of individual and cultural differences to create an open, inclusive, and accepting workplace

• Entrepreneurial Mindset 

Has a creative mindset and ability to think holistically, takes calculated risks and maximizes opportunities

• Results Orientations

Acts, pursues goals with persistence and achieves results; communicates goals and vision to the team to drive enthusiasm and ambition

• Execution Excellence

Enhances the speed of execution and builds efficiency in processes, systems, and people; has sharp focus on quality-orientation

• Strategic Orientation

Demonstrates knowledge of the social, economic, and environmental factors and how they impact the business. Identifies key issues that could impact the business and develops strategy through an analytical lens / design thinking

• Building Teams and Talent

Empowers colleagues through knowledge sharing and delegation, quickly establishing rapport; provides recognition for achievements and accomplishments

• Customer Centricity

Understands the customer needs and pain points, fulfills the needs and expectations by focusing on creating value for customers.