Contract Manager II

Job Advert Summary

The Contract Manager is responsible for the full operational, financial, technical, and compliance delivery of Petrochemical products. This includes managing daily operations, resource allocation, fleet utilisation, customer relationships, human resources, safety, and cost control. 

The role ensures that all activities meet contractual obligations, SLAs, KPIs, and regulatory requirements while fostering a high-performance, safety-driven culture. The Contract Manager acts as the primary on-site leader, ensuring optimal use of people, fleet, and processes to deliver safe, reliable, cost-efficient, and compliant services that meet client expectations and company profitability target.

Operational & Contract Execution 

• Ensure adherence to all SLA, KPI, contract terms, penalties, incentives, and operational procedures.
• Lead daily planning, shift readiness, and operational reviews
• Manage safe loading, routing and offloading of liquid bulk(Acids,Sovents,Resins,Foodgrade)products
• Verify tanker compatibility
• Ensure DG route planning and chemical risk assessments
• Manage daily execution including: 
  o On-time departures and deliveries 
  o Monitoring trips through TMS and tracking systems 
  o Turnaround times 
  o Preventing delivery failures and unauthorised deviations 
  o Managing risk alerts, delays, standing time
• Maintain seamless operations across all shifts including weekends and after hours
• Ensure effective driver briefing and debriefing (pre-trips, fatigue management, PPE, route risks, E/PODs, fuel checks)
• Analyse operational data (hours, kilometres, costed parameters) for improvements.
• Use DriveCam/Drive Risk and tracking to identify and correct driver behaviour.
• Coordinate journey management including downtime, refuelling, and security of 
  vehicle/driver/cargo. 

Fleet & Technical Management 

• Oversee chemical tanker lifecycle including inspections, licensing, COFs, services, tyre wear, repairs, replacements.
• Ensure compliance with SANS 10231/10233 and OEM chemical tanker standards.
• Manage breakdowns and defects through Evolve and ensure cost-effective resolutions.
• Monitor fuel consumption, identify anomalies, and investigate irregularities.
• Ensure accurate record keeping (job cards, defect slips, service history, maintenance registers).
• Monitor utilisation KPIs (km per truck per month, trips per shift, fuel litres per trip).
• Collaborate with Workshop/Technical Manager for quotes, approvals, warranties, and parts control.
• Plan and manage fleet availability to reduce overtime and meet operational demand.

 Safety, SHEQ & Compliance 

• Ensure full compliance with Unitrans SHEQ policies, regulations, and legislation (Road Transport, SHERQ, Labour).
• Maintain all SHEQ appointments (incl. Section 8.2).
• Conduct toolbox talks, safety stand-downs, chemical hazard briefings.
• Support SHEQ Manager with IODs, incident reporting, investigations, and audits.
• Manage Drive Risk programme: monitoring, coaching, and follow-up actions.
• Ensure PPE compliance, issue tracking, and replacements.
• Ensure functional SHEQ committees and accurate monthly SHEQ reporting.
• Identify hazards and implement mitigation strategies promptly.

Financial & Cost Management 

• Compile annual budgets; manage costs against approved budgets.
• Produce weekly and monthly forecasts and income statements (4B).
• Analyse cost exceptions and implement corrective actions for: 
  o Fuel consumption 
  o Tyres 
  o Maintenance 
  o Overtime 
  o Insurance 
  o Toll fees, cell phone costs
• Ensure accurate invoicing (all trips, rate cards, standing time, MOQ, exceptional costs).
• Manage creditors (purchase orders, approvals, invoice processing).
• Manage debtors (invoicing accuracy, collections, age analysis).
• Manage workshop, fleet, and supplier costs in line with policies.
• Ensure correct depreciation, asset transfers, and disposal compliance.
• Manage petty cash and payroll submissions per policy

Financial Target Achievement 

• Drive operational performance to meet revenue, cost control, gross margin, and profitability targets
• Optimise fleet utilisation, reduce waste, and implement cost-saving initiatives aligned to financial KPIs
• Monitor financial dashboards and take proactive actions to ensure target achievement.
• Support operational improvements that translate into financial gains and commercial competitiveness.

People Leadership & HR Management 

• Lead teams across operations, admin, SHEQ and driving.
• Ensure chemical driver competency (PrDP),chemical handling certificates.
• Conduct performance management: goal setting, evaluations, corrective actions.
• Coach, develop, and mentor staff; contribute to talent pipeline and succession planning.
• Manage absenteeism and ensure correct manpower planning.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and training activities.
• Manage disciplinary matters, grievances, and maintain healthy IR and union relationships.

Qualification and experience

• Degree/Diploma in Transport, Logistics, Supply Chain, Economics, Accounting or similar.
• 5+ years in transport logistics or Chemicals operations.
  3–5 years in contract/operations management with leadership responsibilities.
• Strong background in fleet operations, financial controls, HR, safety, and customer management. 

Systems Knowledge (Operation Dependant) 

• Transport Management Systems (Uniplan/Soloplan or similar)
• Fleet tracking systems (Powerfleet or similar)
• Workshop/maintenance systems (Evolve)
• Financial systems (Uniflow, ERS, SAP or similar)
• Reporting Systems(Qlikview,Qliksense,Fuel Science)
• Customer portals (Renaissance,SAP , Sizanani)
• DriveCam/Drive Risk platforms
• Microsoft Office Suite

Competencies 

• Labour Legislation, Bargaining Council agreements
• Road Transport & Traffic Legislation
• Dangerous Goods compliance(SANS 10228,10231,10233)
• Contract management principles (SLAs, KPIs, penalties)
• Financial, operational, HR, and administrative systems Skills
• Strong operational, transport, planning and SHEQ knowledge.
• Financial acumen: budgeting, cost control, KPI analysis.
• Effective leadership: coaching, performance management, IR handling.
• Strong planning, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and customer-relationship skills.
• High safety awareness and risk-management capability.
• Reliable, ethical, accountable and able to work under pressure.
• Technical knowledge specific to chemical vehicles