Driver Manager

SUMMARY:
Our client is looking for a Driver Manager to join their team.

POSITION INFO:
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Fleet Operations Management
- Plan and coordinate daily dispatch and fleet movements.
- Manage routing, trip scheduling, and truck utilisation to minimise empty kilometres.
- Monitor trip progress, border crossings, delays, and turnaround times.
- Allocate drivers based on vehicle configuration, experience, and competency.
- Coordinate resource planning and driver transport arrangements (including bus bookings and Uber services).
2. Driver Management & Supervision
- Manage driver rosters, leave, performance, discipline, and attendance.
- Address driver conduct and performance issues in line with company policies and SOPs.
- Identify training needs and ensure drivers are appropriately trained and assessed.
- Manage driver complement (permanent, fixed-term, and ad hoc).
- Supervise and support Driver Controllers.
- Maintain operational systems and SharePoint records.
3. Safety, Compliance & RTMS
- Enforce compliance with transport legislation, company safety standards, and RTMS requirements.
- Ensure all vehicles undergo RTMS inspections prior to operation.
- Monitor DriveCam events and ensure coaching and corrective actions are completed within required timeframes.
- Ensure PPE compliance, pre-trip inspections, and adherence to safe working procedures.
- Maintain compliance with MFIBC requirements.
- Manage medical certificates, PDPs, and related statutory records.
- Ensure accurate recordkeeping on VTS, including driver licences, IDs, and next-of-kin information.
- Verify validity of passports and related documentation.
- Coordinate IOD processes and service provider engagements.
4. Quality Management
- Investigate vehicle damages and conduct root cause analyses (RCAs).
- Implement corrective and preventative actions to reduce repeat incidents.
- Monitor and enforce PPE compliance
- Monitor and enforce loading quality standards.
5. Fuel & Cost Control
- Monitor fuel consumption and investigate variances.
- Ensure adherence to refuelling procedures and report faulty fuel tags or pumps.
- Support and implement cost-saving and efficiency initiatives.
6. Vehicle Maintenance & Breakdown Management
- Coordinate planned servicing, repairs, and preventative maintenance for carrier and pilot vehicles.
- Manage breakdowns and liaise with workshops to minimise downtime.
- Ensure timely release and return to service of fleet vehicles.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Minimum Qualifications
- Matric / Grade 12 (essential).
- Diploma or Degree in Transport, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or related field.
- RTMS certification (advantageous).
Experience
- 5–7 years’ experience in fleet control or transport operations.
- 2–3 years’ supervisory or managerial experience.
- Proven experience in driver management, safety compliance, route planning, and loading quality control.
SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
- Strong leadership and people management capability.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Sound knowledge of transport legislation and industry regulations.
- Ability to perform under pressure in a high-volume operational environment.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Proficiency in Excel, operational reporting, tracking systems, and document control.
BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES
- High level of integrity and accountability.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Professional and effective communication style.
- Collaborative and team-oriented leadership approach.
- Resilience and adaptability under pressure.
- Strong work ethic and commitment to operational excellence.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- May require shift work, weekend duties, and extended working hours.
- Operates in a fast-paced, high-pressure transport environment.
- Regular interaction with drivers, customers, service providers, and operations teams.