Broker/Planning Manager

Alistair Group is one of East and Southern Africa’s fastest-growing service companies, providing a variety of self-delivered logistics solutions across several geographies, aimed with the vision to Make Africa Work Better! With core competencies in road freight, warehousing, commodity trading and operational hire of material handling equipment, the Group strives for continuous expansion of innovative ancillary services to grow the business vertically, complimented by a healthy dose of entrepreneurial flair. The business has gone from strength to strength, growing quickly in both its geographical coverage and variety of services offered to clients. In 2024, the Group exceeded the 1000-employee mark and managed a fleet of well over 1000 trucks. With Alistair’s aggressive and exciting growth strategy, the Group is poised for significant further expansion and a greater impact in Africa.

Core Services:
▪              Freight Forwarding
▪              Clearance & Forwarding
▪              Energy Industry Support Services
▪              Equipment Rental
▪              Commodity Trading
▪              Integrated Solutions
▪              Warehousing
▪              Ocean Freight

Industries:
▪              Mining
▪              Oil & Gas
▪              Agriculture
▪              Construction
▪              Explosives
▪              Renewables

Vision
To be known as the Company that makes Africa work better.

Company Behaviours
Honesty, Customer Focus, Continual Improvement, Humility, and Safety.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities
Job Purpose
The Broker/Planning Manager is responsible for overseeing and streamlining brokerage operations, managing subcontractor relationships, and ensuring optimal cargo allocation. This role involves expanding transporter networks, enhancing operational efficiency, and driving the strategic use of tools such as the Load Board to meet business priorities. The position combines managerial responsibilities with direct operational oversight to optimize the planning and execution of transport logistics.

Key Responsibilities

1. Brokerage Operations and Subcontractor Management

• Identify and onboard potential subcontractors through industry research, referrals, and networking across all corridors.
• Negotiate favorable rates with subcontractors and supervise their performance to ensure compliance with quality and operational standards.
• Maintain active engagement with subcontractors to gather market intelligence on cargo and rate trends, providing valuable insights to the Commercial Team.
• Oversee the bidding process and ensure efficient utilization of the Load Board.

2. Cargo Allocation and Planning

• Develop and coordinate cargo loading schedules in collaboration with the Planning Team, ensuring alignment with subcontractor tonnage capacities.
• Manage cargo allocation efficiently to meet performance targets
• Provide regular reports on logistics performance, including tonnage, target capacity, and operational challenges.

3. Operational Efficiency and Leadership

• Lead initiatives to streamline operational workflows, including implementing tools and processes that enhance efficiency.
• Oversee the management and performance of a direct report to optimize planning functions and reduce bottlenecks together with the Planning & Admin Lead.
• Advocate for and drive the adoption of improved processes, such as updated reporting systems and streamlined communication channels.

4. Strategic Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with subcontractors to ensure long-term collaboration and reliability.
• Conduct regular visits to key transport hubs, such as Dar and Ndola, to strengthen SCT relationships and assess on-ground performance.

5. Reporting and Continuous Improvement

• Provide weekly updates on secured capacity, performance metrics, and any operational challenges to the senior management team.
• Actively contribute to continuous improvement efforts by staying informed about industry best practices and applying relevant insights to team strategies.

Education, Skills & Qualifications

• Proven experience in logistics, planning, or a similar role, preferably within a brokerage environment.
• Strong negotiation skills with the ability to build rapport and resolve conflicts effectively. Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills to interact professionally with stakeholders.
• Advanced proficiency in planning tools (e.g., Smartsheets) and familiarity with risk management and regulatory compliance across corridors.
• Demonstrated leadership and the ability to manage and mentor a direct report.

The Company reserves the right to withdraw from the recruitment process at any time, at its sole discretion. The sharing of any aptitude test, assessment, or invitation to an interview does not constitute an offer of employment or guarantee any future employment with the Company. Candidates acknowledge that progression through any stage of the recruitment process does not imply or ensure an eventual offer of employment.

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