Director - Logistics & Distribution

To direct the operations of all warehouses, distribution and logistics functions of the company to achieve and maintain operational efficiency, optimize costs and high service levels.

POSITION: DIRECTOR - LOGISTICS & DISTRIBUTION

REPORTS TO: MANAGING DIRECTOR

SUPERVISION GIVEN TO: WAREHOUSE AND DISTRIBUTION MANAGERS

POSITION OVERVIEW: To direct the operations of all warehouses, distribution and logistics functions of the company to achieve and maintain.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITES:

STRATEGIC PLANNING

• Develop and implement logistics strategies to enhance productivity, quality, and efficiency across the supply chain.

OPERATION MANAGEMENT

• Oversee logistics operations, including warehousing, inventory management, transportation, and distribution processes.

BUDGET MANAGEMENT

• Develop and manage budgets in alignment with the organization’s financial goals, ensuring cost-effective logistics solutions.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

• Provide oversight or lead major projects that inform the operational strategies essential to the Company’s Logistics initiatives (WMS, Last Mile Solution, Expansion, etc).

SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

• Maintain professional relationships with key suppliers and vendors, negotiating contracts to secure favourable terms and pricing.

COMPLIANCE

• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations governing transportation and distribution operations.

GENERAL

INVENTORY MANAGEMENT

• Establish internal controls for the movement of stock in and out of the Distribution Centre and consistently monitor for effectiveness and compliance, while seeking to continuously improve.
• Update and implement policies and procedures to safeguard against stock losses.
• Partner with IT and the Buying function to improve on the accuracy of stock information that is made available to Branches and the Warehouse team.
• Investigate and determine causes of exceptional shortages/losses or out of stock issues and take corrective measures.
• Organize perpetual and quarterly stock counts in collaboration with Finance/Asset Control.
• Ensure compliance with proper stacking, storing and manual handling procedures in an effort to minimize damages to stock and injury to staff.

IMPORT LOGISTICS & CUSTOMS MANAGEMENT

• Oversee customs brokerage activities to ensure timely clearance of imported goods in compliance with regulations of the Jamaica Customs Agency.
• Monitor and manage demurrage, detention and port storage charges to minimize avoidable costs.
• Liaise with shipping lines, freight forwarders and port operators to ensure efficient container movement and turnaround.
• Ensure accurate preparation and submission of import documentation and compliance with all applicable trade regulations.
• Monitor landed cost components and identify opportunities to improve cost efficiencies within the supply chain.
• Ensure timely release and movement of cargo from ports, bonded warehouses and other regulated facilities.
• Lead and maintain the organization’s participation in Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) or similar trusted trader programmes, ensuring sustained operational compliance with certification standards and driving cross-functional alignment to uphold audit integrity and regulatory adherence.

DELIVERIES / CUSTOMER SERVICE

• Respond to customer feedback to ensure that delivery standards are aligned with customer expectations.
• Partner with Branches to improve the efficiency of deliveries to branches and to customers while ensuring a timely response to their needs.
• Monitor volume of receipts and deliveries and allocate resources to ensure that work is accomplished efficiently, and service levels are maintained.
• Manage distribution costs to ensure that these are in line with budget.
• Access and analyze delivery data to identify areas of inefficiency and non-compliance and take appropriate corrective measures.

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND TEAM DEVELOPMENT

• Define and monitor performance objectives, targets, and standards for Distribution Centre staff and Delivery Contractors.
• Provide coaching, guidance, and feedback to drive high performance and achievement of operational goals.
• Conduct performance appraisals and implement ongoing training in technical and soft skills.
• Develop and maintain succession plans for critical roles within the Distribution Centre.
• Foster productive industrial relations through engagement with trade unions and employee representatives.

PARTNERING AND COLLABORATION:

• Liaise with Branch Operations to ensure efficiency in the processing of customer data, branch requests and deliveries.
• Collaborate with HR/Training to recruit and train the right persons capable of executing their job functions; ensure adequate staffing levels for the peak trading season and manage agreed personnel activities, including staff discipline.
• Liaise with the Purchasing department on stock availability and to improve the system for the receipt of goods into the Warehouse.
• Liaise with Contractors to agree terms of contracts and to ensure adherence to these.
• Liaise with the Finance Department to ensure the timely processing of payments
• Maintain effective working relationships with customs authorities, regulatory bodies, shipping agents, freight forwarders and other external logistics stakeholders to support seamless import and distribution operations.

JOB SPECIFICATION:

QUALIFICATION/EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Degree in Business Administration, Management or related discipline
• Minimum 7 years’ experience in warehousing distribution or similar with experience in a senior management position in a medium to large retail/commercial operation.
• Demonstrated experience managing import logistics, customs clearance processes and demurrage control.
• Experience supporting or leading compliance with Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) or similar trusted trader programmes would be an asset.
• Experience operating within a unionized warehouse or distribution environment would be an asset.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Solid understanding of warehouse and logistics management practices.
• Experience in medium-to-large retail or commercial operations, with proficiency in WMS, fleet management, or other supply chain systems.
• Knowledge of customs regulations, port operations, international shipping documentation, and trade compliance, including AEO frameworks.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and reporting skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite, inventory systems, and other relevant software applications.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• Being able to effectively lead a team
• Decision making skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• A strong motivator
• Good Emotional Intelligence

This represents a broad outline of duties and responsibilities and cannot list in detail all the tasks the jobholder will be expected to undertake. Management reserves the right to review duties, responsibilities and key performance indicators based on the needs of the business.