Logistics Manager

Bridge International Academies is a startup company revolutionizing education across Africa with a truly unique business model. The company has launched a large-scale franchise-like network of ultra low-cost for-profit private primary schools across Africa.

Our schools profitably deliver high-quality education for less than $4 per child per month, enabling local school managers to operate their school businesses profitably, while creating a highly successful business at the central level.

We now have 26 schools in Kenya, and plan to rapidly scale the company to serve more than 1 million students.

About this position

Bridge International Academies is looking for a Logistics Manager who will be responsible for providing efficient and cost effective Logistics and Supply Chain coordination services to support the business at Headquarter and Schools.

The holder of this position will deliver high quality professional logistics and administration services and lead the development and implementation of tools, processes, policies and practices covering all aspects of Logistics and Supply Chain.

Ability to deal with hands on issues , create effective liaison with heads of department and other key staff and management of various aspects of the logistics chain as well as participating in strategic thinking will be key to success in this position.

This is a key position within the company’s Finance and Administration function but with key linkages with all other departments.

Responsibilities of the Logistics Manager

More specifically:

• Introduce a formalized and highly organized approach in the company to guide all distribution activities between headquarters and schools
• Develop and implementing policies, procedures, tools and guidelines to ensure effective and efficient Logistics processes in the company and to assure seamless services as the company’s demand for supply chain services grows
• Compilation of delivery schedules, route mappings, delivery tracking and reporting systems to ensure on time and complete deliveries
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with procurement, operations, construction, training, finance, research, administration and HR departments, taxi operators, motorcycle service providers and other partners within the Logistics services chain to create a partnership that adds value to Bridge International Academies
• Negotiation of prices, lead times and other contractual terms with distribution and transport contractors in the areas that Bridge International Academies currently have operations and those in the plan for future commencement
• Reviewing and embedding with user departments the specifications for various logistics services required for school operations and other departments
• Creating and fostering relationships with diverse logistics and supply chain professional associations to ensure gainful experience and knowledge sharing
• Seek, evaluate and recommend reliable vendors or suppliers to provide quality logistics services at reasonable prices
• Determining distribution schedules and timing of deliveries to and from schools and keeping track of delivery times throughout the delivery process
• Working with department managers and other staff to forecast demand for logistics services and to ascertain that deliveries are dispatched recorded and signed for by recipients.
• Provide oversight over the company’s general administration support services and team at headquarters and satellite offices
• Deal with and resolve any logistical challenges including failure by internal and external stakeholders to meet expected performance benchmarks
• Budgeting, reporting and analysis of Logistics costs to ensure high visibility and control of related expenses and proper allocation to user departments
• Periodic reporting of Logistics activities and projects
• Training and developing of best practice Logistics and supply chain knowledge across the company management team.
• Building the company’s capacity to handle large scale or multiple logistics requirements at every new school launch across the country
• Supervision of Logistics project staff in other departments to ensure standard practice and knowledge transfer.
• Working internally and with external legal support to ensure suitable agreements that would ensure appropriate terms of engagement with suppliers of high transport and delivery services
• Support School Operations, Technology, Land and Construction departments and other functions in legal and contractual processes for Logistics needs.
• Advise management on required areas of improvement to enhance Logistics processes

About You

• Strong belief in the Bridge International Mission of creating high quality education services for the low income communities
• Minimum of 6 to 10 years experience in management of Logistics and or Supply Chain services preferably for a large fast growing service or trading organization with multiple locations and diverse requirements
• An expert level of knowledge in Logistics including, but not limited to Coordination of large fleets of third party service providers, contract and relationship management and due diligence on Logistics contractors
• Ability to handle administrative issues with multi-disciplinary and multicultural teams
• Experience with Logistics management of construction materials in a large scale environment where both formal and informal vendors operate will be a definite advantage.
• Professional qualifications in Logistics/Supply Chain will be a key requirement
• Bachelors Degree in business, economics or other Social Science or related discipline or the equivalent
• Must be able to manage competing demands, accept criticism and constructive feedback, while being extremely adaptable and flexible
• Excellent writing and oral communication skills are required
• Ability to present Logistics services feedback, policies and procedures to senior managers.
• Demonstrated ability to organize large volumes of Logistics requirements for a broad range of office and operational needs. Must have the ability to quickly learn and improve systems
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately
• Strong initiative and solid judgment skills and abilities
• High level of integrity and ethical behaviour
• Good hands on knowledge of Microsoft Office suite applications
• Willingness to travel to remote locations across the country

You can apply and view detailed job requisitions on the Careers page at www.bridgeinternationalacademies.com