Director: Transport Operations | Road Freight

Overview

Director: Transport Operations | Road Freight Jobs in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo at DP World

Title: Director: Transport Operations | Road Freight

Company: DP World

Location: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Job Function

The Director – Transport Operations – is responsible for leading and optimizing all transport and fleet operations supporting port, inland logistics, distribution, and customer service activities within the Banana corridor and broader DRC network. The role provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure safe, efficient, compliant, cost-effective and profitable movement of cargo, equipment, and resources while delivering superior service levels to customers and stakeholders.

Key Performance Areas

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the transport operations strategy aligned with organizational objectives and growth plans.
• Lead the transformation and modernization of transport operations through technology, digitization, and process optimization.
• Establish long-term transport capacity plans to support current and future business requirements.
• Drive network optimization initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce costs, produce profitable results, and enhance service delivery.
• Provide leadership during operational expansion projects and infrastructure developments.

Transport Operations Management

• Direct end-to-end transportation activities including fleet operations, dispatch, routing, scheduling, and cargo movement.
• Ensure efficient coordination between port operations, warehousing, distribution centers, customs teams, and transport providers.
• Monitor and improve transport utilization, equipment productivity, asset availability, and delivery performance.
• Oversee transport control tower activities, including operational monitoring and exception management.
• Establish performance standards and operational KPIs across all transportation functions.

Fleet Management

• Lead strategic fleet planning and utilization of owned and contracted transport assets.
• Optimize fleet availability, reliability, and productivity.
• Ensure effective vehicle lifecycle management including acquisition, deployment, maintenance, and replacement strategies.
• Drive initiatives to maximize profitability, reduce fleet operating costs, and improve asset utilization.
• Oversee preventive maintenance programs to maximize operational availability.

Safety, Health, Environment and Security

• Champion a zero-harm culture across transport operations.
• Ensure compliance with company safety standards, local legislation, and international transport regulations.
• Lead investigations of major incidents and implement preventative measures.
• Develop risk mitigation strategies related to road transport, cargo security, driver safety, and operational continuity.
• Ensure emergency response and crisis management plans are established and tested regularly.

Regulatory Compliance and Governance

• Ensure compliance with all DRC transportation regulations, customs requirements, labor legislation, and applicable international standards.
• Maintain strong working relationships with government authorities, regulators, transport agencies, and customs authorities.
• Ensure transport contractors meet all compliance, safety, and operational requirements.
• Conduct regular audits and ensure corrective actions are implemented.

Financial Management

• Develop and manage annual transport operating and capital budgets.
• Drive cost optimization initiatives, maximize profitability while maintaining service quality and operational integrity.
• Monitor transport costs, fuel consumption, maintenance expenses, contractor performance, and fleet utilization.
• Deliver productivity improvements and sustainable cost savings.
• Provide accurate forecasting and reporting on transport performance.

Customer and Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure transport operations meet customer service expectations and contractual requirements.
• Collaborate with commercial teams to support business growth and operational commitments.
• Lead service recovery efforts for critical operational issues.
• Provide executive-level reporting and performance updates.

Team Leadership and Capability Building

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing transport operations team.
• Build leadership capability across management levels.
• Drive workforce engagement, accountability, and performance excellence.
• Develop succession plans and talent pipelines for key positions.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and collaboration.

Continuous Improvement

• Implement Lean, Six Sigma, and operational excellence methodologies.
• Drive automation and transport technology initiatives including GPS tracking, fleet management systems, route optimization tools, and transportation management systems.
• Identify opportunities to improve delivery performance, reduce operational waste, and enhance customer satisfaction.
• Benchmark performance against industry best practices.

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor’s Degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Transport Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or related discipline.
• Professional qualifications in Logistics, Transport Management, Supply Chain, or Operations Management.

Experience and Skills Required

• Minimum 8 – 10 years of progressive experience in transport, logistics, fleet, or supply chain operations.
• Minimum 3-5 years in senior leadership positions managing large-scale transport operations.
• Experience managing significant fleets and transportation networks.
• Proven track record leading operational transformation and performance improvement initiatives.
• Experience managing large, diverse workforces in complex operational environments.
• Experience within Africa, particularly Central or Southern Africa.
• Experience supporting port, mining, industrial, infrastructure, energy, or large logistics operations.
• Experience operating in remote and developing markets.
• Exposure to international freight, customs, and cross-border transport operations.

About DP World

Trade is the lifeblood of the global economy, creating opportunities and improving the quality of life for people around the world. DP World exists to make the world’s trade flow better, changing what’s possible for the customers and communities we serve globally.

With a dedicated, diverse and professional team of more than 111,000 employees from 159 nationalities, spanning 77 countries on six continents, DP World is pushing trade further and faster towards a seamless supply chain that’s fit for the future.

We’re rapidly transforming and integrating our businesses — Ports and Terminals, Marine Services, Logistics and Technology – and uniting our global infrastructure with local expertise to create stronger, more efficient end-to-end supply chain solutions that can change the way the world trades.

What’s more, we’re reshaping the future by investing in innovation. From intelligent delivery systems to automated warehouse stacking, we’re at the cutting edge of disruptive technology, pushing the sector towards better ways to trade, minimising disruptions from the factory floor to the customer’s door.

DP World is on a mission to transcend boundaries and bridge the gap between all nations and cultures – not just in what we do but also in how we behave.

We are dedicated to creating a culture where everyone feels respected, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. We believe that embracing inclusion and diversity, drives innovation and growth and helps us connect people, businesses, and societies. Free minds and different perspectives are changing our world, and together we can change what’s possible.

WE MAKE TRADE FLOW TO CHANGE WHAT’S POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE.

EEO Statement

DP World is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO). We strongly believe that employing a diverse workforce is central to our success and we make recruiting decisions based on your experience and skills. We welcome applications from all members of society irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion, or belief.

By submitting your resume and application information, you authorize DP World to transmit and store your information in the world-wide recruitment database, and to circulate that information as necessary for the purpose of evaluating your qualifications for this or other job vacancies.