Purpose of Job:
To oversee and manage the Oceanfreight Imports Department. To undertake service excellence in building human capability and capacity, encouraging customer engagement and increasing profit(s) per customer whilst managing risk(s). To embark on continuous system(s) and process(es) improvements and consistency whilst maintaining our core values and culture. To strive and achieve our business & departmental principles and touchpoints while maintaining our core values (Innovation, Respect, Trust, Teamwork, Quality and Integrity) and culture.
Key Performance Areas:
Ensure the department is properly staffed 
Maintaining discipline and upholding productivity standards 
Promoting teamwork for a friendly & productive environment
Develop and maintain a high level of moral
Mentorship, guidance and knowledge sharing (empowering others) 
Share knowledge, ideas and innovative thinking with each other 
Develop a competent, highly motivated and supported team 
Managing & initiating action(s) to prevent occurrences of any non conformities relating to the stipulated processes & procedures
Identifying & recording any problems relating to the processes, procedures and the Quality System(s) 
Ensure staff are aware of all developments (head office, branches, network, otherwise) 
Assist management and staff with problem solving 
Initiate, recommend and provide solutions through the respective channels 
Strive to continually achieve the following key business drivers and KPI’s
Increase profit per customer 
Access to capital 
Positive cash flow
Customer engagement
Customer service excellence
Company brand awareness
Risk management
Continuous systems and process improvements
Building human capital ahead of demand 
Ensure all SABS ISO requirements are implemented & adhere to at all times by all parties.
Business Processes and Policies:
Developing, implementing, monitoring and maintaining KPI’s and performance standards for all divisions. 
Ensure all staff members are aware of KPI’s and the desired performance standards applicable to their functions
Monitoring & measurement of KPI’s and performance standards 
Monitoring performance and ensuring all employees understand their functions, responsibilities and their interrelation within the organization.
Identify where automation, integration and technologies can be implemented to improve the deliverables of the company
Develop new strategies for certain markets, clients, trades, routes and modes
Analyze trends and data conclusions
Analyze client activity, volumes moved, routes in operation, profits and losses 
Ensure all processes are adhered to and QA points are in place
Ensure compliance and accreditation within the ISO system 
Close all / any gaps that might be present
Strategic involvement with KAM’s (Key Account Manager) to establish client opportunities and securing for new or extension business
Service Providers & Company’s Network:
Top 40 SP per mode (air / ocean / FCL / LCL / trucking companies) measurement
Ensure SLA’s (Service Level Agreements) are monitored, measured and up to standard on services received from SP’s.
Address any deviations / changes on the required level.
Identify where automation, integration and technologies can be implemented to improve. 
Quarterly evaluation & meetings of SP’s and to ensure contracts & Standard Terms & Trading Conditions (STTC’s) are in place 
Ensure competitive buying rates are achieved, harnessed and passed onto the respective departments
Negotiate standardized / better buying rates and extended credit terms with all SP’s
Appoint new service SP’s that are market innovators within the same frameworks as above 
Blacklist / suspend support to those SP’s that are not performing or are problematic or no longer viable
Stive for common / same directed support with SP’s to ensure all company’s offices align strategic support for maximum benefit harnessing.
Customer Engagement:
Assist in the handover process between KAM’s and operations departments to ensure a smoot and accurate flow
Monthly client / SP volume reporting
Monthly KAM activity report
Audit on client rate structures to ensure they are accurate, sensible and profitable
Update all client & SP contracts into the respective e-folder(s) and update the contract matrixes. 
Ensure all client & SP contracts are extended, re-signed or updated upon expiry dates 
Ensure all client & SP contracts are within the company’s framework (legal & otherwise) 
External client visit(s) where required and opportunities arise.
Ensure SLA’s are monitored, measured and up to standard on service provided to clients. 
Address any deviations / changes on the required level 
Customer feedback, service delivery failures, service delivery success 
Eliminate risks to loose any clients whilst constantly growing the relationship
Use any new processes, strategies, systems from one client (sector) to another client (sector) – clone success
View clients as individual business units
Pool & apply resources
Identify where automation, integration and technologies can be implemented in order to improve
Financial:
Ensure deadlines are met to ensure no financial losses are suffered (update buying rates, route profiles and files for invoicing) 
Ensure each client’s rate increases (annual, contractual, revenue, statutory or otherwise) are completed & implemented within the required time frames, deadlines and requirements
Ensure standardize (but client specific i.e. adapted) pricing structures are in place 
Updating monthly FCL, LCL, seafreight, fuel surcharges and any other rates.
Monitoring weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual budgets 
Monitoring of all Profits & Loss reports
Analysis on profit and loss per division as well as cost control
Ensure on-time invoicing reporting (unbilled report & accruals)
Ensure on-time delivery report 
Ensure on-time query resolutions for debtors & creditors (SP’s)
Ensure on-time query resolutions CBO and debtors management (customers) 
Authorizing capital expenditure (CAPEX)
Monitoring of all expenses & ensure they are kept within the budget 
All variances must be reported to the Financial / Operations / Managing Director(s)
Monthly Operational Report