Regional Transport Manager

About the role

The Regional Transport Manager provides strategic leadership and governance for road transport across the region, ensuring the safe, reliable, compliant and cost-effective distribution of fuels, lubricants and LPG. The role sets regional transport standards, drives operational and commercial performance, strengthens transport partner capability and manages transport risk across all operating markets. It also acts as the transport subject matter expert, supporting country transport operations.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement the regional transport strategy aligned with business growth, customer service, cost and HSSE objectives, and set regional standards, policies and procedures.
• Drive operational excellence in transport planning, scheduling, dispatch and delivery, monitor regional KPIs and lead improvement initiatives.
• Lead the regional transport economics framework and cost/rate management, and provide technical leadership to country transport and logistics teams.
• Set standards for transporter selection, qualification and performance; run a Transporter Assessment and Assurance Program and support tendering, contracts and negotiations.
• Provide visible leadership for road transport HSSE and risk, including journey, driver, fleet and dangerous goods management, and oversee regulatory compliance and cross-border transport.
• Set standards for product handling, loading, in-transit and delivery, and oversee product quality, loss prevention and investigations into product losses.
• Promote Transport Management Systems, telematics and fleet tracking, build transport dashboards and identify automation and digital transformation opportunities.
• Coach country transport teams, build regional competencies and succession capability, and influence stakeholders such as country general managers, supply and logistics teams, HSSE and commercial teams and regulatory authorities.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, logistics, transport management or a related discipline; a postgraduate qualification (MBA or master's) is an added advantage.
• Mandatory 12-15 years of relevant experience in transport operations, transport HSSE, contractor management or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years in a regional, multi-country, multinational or equivalent enterprise-level transport role.
• Experience in downstream oil & gas, fuels, LPG, lubricants or another hazardous-products environment is highly desirable.
• Proven hands-on experience managing transporters, third-party logistics providers, transport costs, budgets, contracts and supplier performance, and managing Road Transport Contractor Assurance programs.

Required skills

• Strong computer and IT skills, including digital and technology adoption.
• Budgeting and cost control, contract and supplier management, risk management, negotiation and influencing.
• Technical: road transport and fleet management, journey and driver management, vehicle management, dangerous goods transportation, transport economics, transport technology and analytics, regulatory and compliance management.
• Leadership: strategic leadership, safety leadership, stakeholder influence, people leadership and change leadership.