Senior Transport coordinator - Freight forwarding

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership and Supervision

• Lead and manage the transport team, including pickup and drivers, trailers and drivers, and transport coordinators.
• Oversee day-to-day transportation operations to ensure timely and efficient deliveries, aligning with company standards and operational targets.
• Supervise staff performance, enforce compliance with safety and operational procedures, and promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Promote cross-border shipments and find new vendors for cross-country shipments

Route Optimization and Scheduling

• Develop and maintain effective transportation schedules and optimized delivery routes.
• Coordinate closely with drivers and logistics teams to ensure smooth dispatch and timely arrivals/departures.
• Adjust plans as needed to meet operational requirements and customer demands.

Compliance and Performance Monitoring

• Monitor driver logs, vehicle records, and trip documentation to ensure compliance with UAE transport regulations and internal HSSE policies.
• Identify and address any compliance issues or discrepancies promptly.

Fleet Maintenance and Safety Oversight

• Oversee regular maintenance and servicing of all vehicles, ensuring minimal downtime and adherence to safety standards.
• Coordinate inspections, repairs, and safety checks to ensure fleet reliability and roadworthiness.

Problem Solving and Issue Resolution

• Act swiftly to resolve operational challenges such as accidents, delays, or vehicle breakdowns.
• Implement effective solutions to ensure continuity of service and minimal disruption to operations.

Budget and Cost Management

• Manage the transportation department’s budget, controlling costs while maintaining service quality.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities in routing, fuel consumption, maintenance, and vendor negotiations.

Training and Development

• Organize ongoing training and skill development for drivers and coordinators to enhance safety, compliance, and performance.
• Conduct performance reviews and support career progression within the transport team.

Regulatory and Performance Compliance

• Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs), including on-time delivery, fuel efficiency, shipment accuracy, and compliance metrics.
• Ensure adherence to shipping and port clearance regulations, as well as company and legal standards.

Vendor Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with transportation vendors and suppliers.
• Coordinate with internal accounts for timely vendor payments and follow-ups.
• Evaluate and onboard new fleet vendors based on operational needs, ensuring favorable terms and credit facilities.
• Categorize vendors according to service capabilities to align with customer requirements.

Government & Authority Coordination

• Maintain professional relationships with government and regulatory bodies such as the UAE Road Transport Authority (RTA) and the Traffic Department.
• Stay updated on new laws and regulations impacting transportation operations and ensure compliance.
• Liaise with the company's Public Relations (PR) team to obtain required permits and approvals for vehicles and drivers.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of experience within transportation/freight farwarding companies
• Proven experience managing drivers and supervising a team of at least three staff members.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills.
• Well-versed in English with strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of Hindi, Urdu, and Arabic will be an added advantage.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple tasks efficiently.
• Familiarity with transport management systems is preferred.

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person