Operations Manager – UBL Contract job at Utopia

Background

Founded to address the gap between talent and opportunity, Utopia is committed to creating workplaces where people thrive. We combine career advisory, strategic recruitment, and expert training to help individuals and organizations grow together.

Utopia Career Management Services Limited is hiring on behalf of our client, DHL Supply Chain, the world’s leading contract logistics provider. We are seeking a dynamic, result-oriented, and experienced Operations Manager to oversee and lead the execution of warehouse and transport operations under the UBL contract in Kampala, Uganda.

Key Role Details

• Company: DHL Supply Chain
• Business Area: Warehouse & Transport Operations
• Location: Kampala, Uganda
• Reporting To: GM Country Operations Uganda

Responsibilities & Accountabilities

1. Financial & P&L Management

• Manage the contract P&L to deliver target Gross Profit (GP) and budget goals.
• Develop annual contract budgets and targets in collaboration with General Management and Finance.
• Deliver monthly, quarterly, and annual financial performance reporting.
• Co-develop account investment and commercial strategies for warehousing and transport.
• Identify operational efficiencies to improve contract profitability.

2. Account Management & Customer Relationships

• Serve as the primary operational leader and key point of contact for customer leadership.
• Build and maintain constructive, consultative relationships with key client stakeholders.
• Conduct monthly Service Performance Meetings (SPM) and annual strategic planning sessions with the customer.
• Partner with Business Development (BD) and internal functions to drive organic growth, upsell value-added services (VAS), and increase share of logistics spend.
• Lead contract renewal planning and execution to ensure long-term account retention.

3. Operational Excellence & Compliance

• Oversee day-to-day warehouse and transport operations, ensuring contractual KPIs and service standards are met.
• Drive continuous improvement using DHL First Choice tools, Gemba walks, and performance dialogues.
• Ensure strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), statutory regulations, and customer requirements.
• Maintain top-tier standards for Safety, Health, Environment, and Quality (SHEQ).
• Facilitate knowledge and best-practice sharing across local and regional operation teams.

4. Leadership & People Development

• Lead, coach, and motivate site operational and leadership teams.
• Define team structures, roles, and performance targets aligned with functional goals.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and oversee performance-based recognition and compensation.
• Oversee talent acquisition, succession planning, and employee development initiatives.
• Foster an inclusive, high-engagement workplace culture, actively driving Employee Opinion Survey (EOS) participation and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
• Partner with HR Business Partners on employee and industrial relations matters.

Expectations from Candidate

Key Performance & Scope Indicators

• Direct Leadership: Operations management team (3+ direct reports)
• Geographical Scope: Country level (Uganda)

Requirements & Qualifications

Education & Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Professional certifications in Inventory Management, Fleet Management, or Logistics (preferred).
• Training in Finance for Non-Finance Managers (preferred).

Professional Experience:

• 8+ years of operational experience in warehouse and transport/distribution environments.
• 3+ years in a managerial/operations leadership role, preferably within third-party logistics (3PL) or supply chain management.
• Proven track record in P&L management, financial budgeting, and commercial account expansion.
• Strong knowledge of logistics market trends, fleet operations, and warehouse management practices.

Skills & Core Competencies:

• Business Acumen: Commercial sharpness with the ability to manage budgets, analyze financial statements, and identify growth opportunities.
• Customer Focus: Demonstrated success building high-trust customer relationships and driving service delivery.
• Operational Leadership: Strong team leadership, motivational skills, and proactive decision-making.
• HSE & Compliance: Deep understanding of health, safety, and environmental standards and hazard identification.
• Communication: Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills (Fluent English required).
• Problem Solving: Proactive mindset with a track record of driving process optimization.

• Manage the contract P&L to deliver target Gross Profit (GP) and budget goals.
• Develop annual contract budgets and targets in collaboration with General Management and Finance.
• Deliver monthly, quarterly, and annual financial performance reporting.
• Co-develop account investment and commercial strategies for warehousing and transport.
• Identify operational efficiencies to improve contract profitability.
• Serve as the primary operational leader and key point of contact for customer leadership.
• Build and maintain constructive, consultative relationships with key client stakeholders.
• Conduct monthly Service Performance Meetings (SPM) and annual strategic planning sessions with the customer.
• Partner with Business Development (BD) and internal functions to drive organic growth, upsell value-added services (VAS), and increase share of logistics spend.
• Lead contract renewal planning and execution to ensure long-term account retention.
• Oversee day-to-day warehouse and transport operations, ensuring contractual KPIs and service standards are met.
• Drive continuous improvement using DHL First Choice tools, Gemba walks, and performance dialogues.
• Ensure strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), statutory regulations, and customer requirements.
• Maintain top-tier standards for Safety, Health, Environment, and Quality (SHEQ).
• Facilitate knowledge and best-practice sharing across local and regional operation teams.
• Lead, coach, and motivate site operational and leadership teams.
• Define team structures, roles, and performance targets aligned with functional goals.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and oversee performance-based recognition and compensation.
• Oversee talent acquisition, succession planning, and employee development initiatives.
• Foster an inclusive, high-engagement workplace culture, actively driving Employee Opinion Survey (EOS) participation and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
• Partner with HR Business Partners on employee and industrial relations matters.

• Commercial sharpness with the ability to manage budgets, analyze financial statements, and identify growth opportunities.
• Demonstrated success building high-trust customer relationships and driving service delivery.
• Strong team leadership, motivational skills, and proactive decision-making.
• Deep understanding of health, safety, and environmental standards and hazard identification.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills (Fluent English required).
• Proactive mindset with a track record of driving process optimization.
• Strong knowledge of logistics market trends, fleet operations, and warehouse management practices.

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Professional certifications in Inventory Management, Fleet Management, or Logistics (preferred).
• Training in Finance for Non-Finance Managers (preferred).
• Proven track record in P&L management, financial budgeting, and commercial account expansion.