Cape Town Region: Assistant Contract Manager/ People Logistics posted by Bidvest Prestige

Principal Duties and Responsibilities People & Team Management Leadership & Supervision: Lead, mentor, and supervise a team of company and/or contracted drivers and logistics assistants, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and customer service. Scheduling & Coverage: Manage driver shifts, rotas, and daily vehicle assignments to ensure 100% coverage of all planned routes and unexpected needs (e.g., absenteeism, delays). Performance & Training: Conduct regular performance coaching, address employee concerns, and ensure all drivers are adequately trained on safety protocols, defensive driving, route changes, and company policies. Compliance: Verify driver licenses, certifications, and compliance with all relevant transportation laws, including hours-of-service regulations. Planning & Operational Excellence Route Optimization: Plan, review, and continuously optimize transport routes and schedules to maximize vehicle efficiency, minimize waiting times for personnel, and reduce overall fuel/operational costs. Daily Execution: Oversee daily dispatch and end-of-shift check-in processes, ensuring all vehicles are deployed on time and all logs (manual and electronic) are completed accurately. Incident Management: Act as the first point of escalation for all transport-related issues, including delays, vehicle breakdowns, road traffic incidents, and personnel grievances. Implement immediate corrective actions and report findings to the Logistics AM. Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate daily with Operations and HR teams to anticipate and accommodate changes in staffing levels, peak-period demands, and special event transport needs. Safety, Fleet, & Compliance Safety Assurance: Enforce strict adherence to all local, state, and federal transport regulations, company safety policies, and site-specific rules. Vehicle Maintenance: Monitor and manage the vehicle maintenance schedule (in coordination with Fleet Management/Maintenance department), ensuring all vehicles undergo timely preventative maintenance, inspections, and repairs to maintain full operational readiness. Vehicle Audits: Conduct daily/weekly audits of driver vehicle checks ( pre-trip/post-trip inspections ) and ensure proper inventory and security of company-issued equipment (keys, fuel cards, communication devices, etc.). Record Keeping: Maintain meticulous, up-to-date records for all transport operations, including maintenance logs, incident reports, route performance data, and fuel consumption. Administration and Reporting Data Analysis: Track and analyse key performance indicators (KPIs) such as On-Time Performance, vehicle utilization rates, fuel efficiency, maintenance costs, and incident rates. Reporting: Prepare and present daily, weekly, and monthly performance reports to the Logistics AM, highlighting operational successes and areas requiring improvement. Cost Management: Monitor the transport budget for the team, focusing on cost-saving opportunities through route efficiency and responsible management of resources. Working Conditions This role requires a combination of office work (planning, reporting) and active floor/yard management (driver check-ins, vehicle checks). Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as logistics operations often run 24/7. Ability to stand and walk for extended periods in a warehouse/yard environment and work in varying weather conditions. 3 years experience within People logistics transporting 50 people and route planning