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Transport Manager

British American Tobacco (BAT)  Β· Manufacturing / Production / FMCG

Full Time Nairobi
Nairobi
Deadline: 5 August 2026
Posted May 6, 2026

ROLE SUMMARY

Could you specify the primary goals and requirements for this position?

This position entails overseeing and managing all transportation operations across the 9 Markets network in Kenya and exports.

The individual in this position will be tasked with overseeing the entire logistics process, encompassing land, sea, and air transport for both incoming supplies and outgoing deliveries to clients. They must ensure seamless coordination across all modes of transportation while managing costs effectively within commercial parameters.

The successful candidate will be responsible for driving the development of strategic logistics objectives that align with business goals. They will ensure that the necessary capabilities, including global, regional, and local transport suppliers, expertise, systems, processes, network infrastructure, and commercial agreements are provided to customers and factories. This role also involves managing strategic outsource partners (contracted third-party logistics providers).

As a member of the Supply Chain Team based in Kenya, the appointed individual will contribute significantly to shaping and implementing the Logistics strategy. They will be responsible for overseeing the Transport strategy.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Business

The primary responsibility of this role is to oversee and coordinate all transportation activities within Kenya and our export markets. This includes ensuring timely delivery of goods, managing logistics, and collaborating with shipping providers to ensure seamless transport processes.

As a procurement specialist, you will be responsible for obtaining prime ownership and control over the transportation budget, enabling collaboration with all vendors in order to deliver sustainable financial advantages.

The primary objective is to offer guidance on both strategic and operational levels to transportation providers, with the ultimate goal of achieving substantial reductions in expenditures related to shipping services while simultaneously facilitating the unification of carriers operating within Kenya and international export markets.

To ensure consistent quality of services and maximize collaboration between networks in a comprehensive transportation system.

The objective is to create a streamlined and productive customer delivery system that optimizes both cost-effectiveness and exceptional levels of customer service.

The role requires a professional with expertise in driving strategic change and seamless integration of transportation services across both domestic and international markets. Key responsibilities include identifying opportunities for optimizing transport networks, developing innovative solutions that balance cost-effectiveness with efficiency, and overseeing the successful implementation of these initiatives.

As a key member of our team, you will play an integral role in shaping the comprehensive supply chain strategy for logistics operations in Kenya and export markets. Your primary responsibility will be to oversee the seamless integration of various aspects such as supplier management, contract negotiations, performance evaluation, and process optimization within our logistics framework. By excelling in this role, you will significantly contribute towards enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of our supply chain operations, ultimately driving business growth and success.

The objective is to establish uniform supplier evaluation criteria, including key performance indicators such as on-time delivery (MOTIF) and transportation costs per mile, in order to promote a standardized approach to measuring performance and delivering exceptional customer service across Kenya and export markets.

Engage in cross-functional collaboration with various stakeholders worldwide to promote industry standards and optimize operational efficiency within the logistics sector. Foster relationships with finance, security, indirect tax, among other related disciplines to ensure compliance and enhance overall performance.

The objective of this role is to analyze secondary supply chains’ requirements, translate these into corresponding logistical needs, and collaborate with cross-functional teams for effective integration of secondary strategies.

Collaborative assistance to various divisions, including but not limited to engineering.

Maintain adherence to all applicable laws and regulations, along with organizational guidelines and established protocols.

Contribute effectively to an efficient and reliable indirect tax compliance framework that adheres strictly to all applicable legal and regulatory mandates, specifically with respect to excise regulations.

In today’s fast-paced world of business and technology, successful leadership has never been more crucial than ever before. From guiding employees through challenging times to motivating teams to achieve ambitious goals, an effective leader can make all the difference in determining the success or failure of a company.

Effective leadership is essential for driving organizational growth and achieving long-term success in today’s fast-paced business environment. A successful leader must possess exceptional interpersonal skills, strong strategic thinking abilities, and excellent communication skills to motivate employees, build trust, foster collaboration, and drive innovation within the organization.

To adopt a leadership approach that fosters consistency throughout the entire supply chain ecosystem (encompassing operations, commercial and end-market sectors, procurement, logistics, and financial management) across Kenyan and international markets.

Foster a mindset of anticipating issues before they arise through root cause examination and driving constant innovation in processes for enhancing the overall experience of our clients. Encourage an environment that values transparency and employs exceptional communication skills to ensure seamless interactions with customers, while maintaining a focus on delivering superior service at all times.

As part of our effort to cultivate adaptability throughout the region’s supply chain industry, it is crucial for vendors and transportation experts alike to effectively display receptivity, actively solicit input, and adeptly address the influence as well as potential hazards that arise from any proposed changes or updates.

As a highly skilled professional, you will be responsible for providing ongoing guidance and support to the supply chain teams through your expertise in functional areas.

Relationship

The objective of this role is to optimize transportation supplier performance across Kenya and export markets. This will be achieved through effective communication and collaboration with suppliers, as well as engagement with key stakeholders. Key responsibilities include setting performance expectations and financial targets, monitoring progress against these targets, providing guidance and support to suppliers to achieve their full potential, and working collaboratively with stakeholders to identify areas for improvement and implement strategies to drive growth and success.

As a liaison officer, you will serve as the bridge between transportation providers and critical decision-makers within the organization, fostering innovation and enhancing supply chain efficiency.

To establish and sustain productive connections with colleagues on a horizontal plane as well as those in hierarchical positions within the distribution network.

The Innovator will be responsible for leading a team of engineers to design new products and services that are cutting edge in technology and industry standards. They will collaborate with cross-functional teams such as marketing, sales, and customer service to ensure successful product launches. This role requires strong leadership skills, creativity, technical expertise, and the ability to work under pressure. The Innovator must also possess excellent communication skills to effectively convey ideas and plans to team members and stakeholders.

The goal is to identify potential areas for improvement in logistics operations, specifically in regard to integrating solutions across various levels of the supply chain. By focusing on opportunities for seamless connectivity between primary and secondary functions, we can leverage network visibility and efficiencies to ultimately improve our bottom line.

Develop an environment which seeks continuous improvement and shares best practice from the rest of BAT and externally.

The objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of supply chain transportation options and carrier capacities in comparison with those of other global and external fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) corporations. This assessment will help identify potential areas for improvement in order to optimize preferred logistics solutions, methodologies, trends, and processes.

Regularly evaluate current transportation processes, create comprehensive enhancement strategies, and implement necessary changes based on specific business requirements.

Excise

Ensure strict adherence to all relevant local excise tax regulations in order to maintain legal compliance.

Collaborate intimately with the tax department in verifying demands pertaining to excise taxes.

The ideal candidate must possess extensive experience in managing various projects simultaneously while ensuring that all tasks are completed on time and within budget. They should have excellent communication skills to collaborate with team members and stakeholders effectively. Additionally, the individual must have a deep understanding of industry standards and best practices to make informed decisions when needed.

ESSENTIAL

The ideal candidate should possess a range of general skills that are essential for success in this role. These include strong communication abilities, both written and verbal; proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or similar software; ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple tasks simultaneously; attention to detail and accuracy in data entry; problem-solving skills; and the ability to think creatively and outside the box. Additionally, candidates should have a positive attitude, be team players, and demonstrate a willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies and processes.

Possess at least 5 years of experience working in the fields of logistics management or warehouse operations within a supply chain or distribution setting.

Demonstrated expertise in managing organizational transformation initiatives from conception to execution.

A demonstrated track record of implementing effective strategies for ongoing growth and development is essential.

A candidate who possesses a practical perspective combined with an ability to make decisions realistically is highly desired for this role.

Possess expertise in managing logistics solutions provided by suppliers or third parties.

A strong background is essential in contract formation, setting service-level agreements (SLAs), implementing process systems and establishing key performance indicators (KPIs).

The ability to persuade others and exhibit effective management qualities is essential for this role.

Fluency in both written and oral English is essential for this role.

Key Success Factors

The successful completion of the assigned transportation project entails working closely with stakeholders to develop a comprehensive plan that will effectively allocate resources in order to adhere to the established budget constraints. This involves identifying potential cost savings and implementing innovative strategies while ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations and standards. Additionally, it is crucial to maintain open lines of communication with team members and keep them informed about any changes or updates related to the project’s progress. Ultimately, the goal is to deliver a high-quality product that meets the client’s expectations and achieves its desired outcome while remaining within budget constraints.

The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of efficient transportation execution strategies that prioritize full adherence to relevant regulatory standards across multiple markets. Their keen eye for detail ensures seamless operations while maintaining strict compliance with industry regulations, resulting in exceptional outcomes.

Assist with the successful completion of tenders as needed.

Ensure exceptional logistics operations while generating significant advantages for the organization within financial limitations.

The position requires exceptional skills in providing outstanding customer support as well as expertise in managing external services to ensure timely and complete delivery of solutions.

The objective is to effectively implement control tower and supply chain strategies throughout a comprehensive system that encompasses all aspects of operations.

The role requires a robust ability to manage changes effectively while ensuring inclusivity in the process.

Collaborate as a key member of a highly collaborative and adaptable leadership group to effectively execute the logistics plan.

The ideal candidate must possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in marketing or any relevant field with at least 2–3 years of professional experience in digital marketing and social media management. Strong knowledge and expertise in Google Analytics, SEO, content creation, email marketing, and Facebook Advertising are highly desired. Additionally, the candidate should have excellent communication skills, be able to work independently or as part of a team, possess strong organizational abilities, and have a passion for staying up-to-date with industry trends and best practices.

Advanced expertise in logistics and inventory management

Expertise in logistics and transportation is essential for this role. A comprehensive understanding of various logistics activities such as best practices, transport execution, multi-modal solutions, direct deliveries to retailers, third-party and supplier management is required. Additionally, knowledge of the unique requirements associated with moving tobacco products, including security, excise tax implications, and indirect taxes, would be an asset.

The ideal candidate must possess a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Logistics Management. Additionally, they should have at least 5 to 8 years of experience working in the logistics industry within an FMCG environment. It is essential that the individual has a thorough understanding of supply chain processes and their interconnectedness.

Qualifications

BA/BSc/HND

Experience Required

5 years

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