CFS Manager

Job Purpose

Lead, manage and accountable for all Container Freight Station (CFS) activities – including container handling, cargo reception, stuffing / de-stuffing, storage, yard management, equipment deployment, documentation oversight and customer service – in a safe, productive, profitable and regulatory-compliant manner.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, organise and control the end-to-end CFS operation covering gate-in / gate-out, container stacking, cargo receipt, stuffing, de-stuffing, warehousing, delivery, dispatch and empty container handling.

• Lead and develop the CFS leadership team – Operations Supervisor, Documentation Officer, Shift Supervisors and Warehouse teams – and ensure clear KPIs and accountability.

• Own the daily operational plan based on vessel schedules, shipping-line instructions, customer bookings and yard capacity.

• Ensure optimal utilisation of the yard, warehouses, reefer plugs, reach stackers, forklifts and other handling equipment to meet productivity and turnaround targets.

• Coordinate with shipping lines, shipping agents, clearing & forwarding companies, transporters, customers, TPA, customs and port authority for smooth cargo flow.

• Drive continuous improvement in container turnaround time, truck turnaround time, cargo damage control, dwell time and on-time dispatch.

• Ensure strict compliance with customs, TPA, OSHE, statutory and customs-bonded warehouse regulations at all times.

• Control operational costs – overtime, equipment usage, fuel, casual labour, damage and demurrage – within approved budgets.

• Handle customer escalations, build relationships with key accounts (shipping lines, large forwarders) and grow CFS volumes.

• Review daily reports – productivity, damages, dwell time, equipment utilisation, billing inputs – and report performance to the Chief Operations Manager.

• Investigate cargo / container damage, shortages, operational incidents and insurance claims in coordination with the Security and Health & Safety Managers.

• Lead QHSE, 5S and housekeeping standards across the CFS yard and warehouses.

• Work with Finance on accurate billing, storage charges, handling charges and recovery from customers.

Qualification & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Port Management, Business Administration, Engineering or related field. A master’s degree will be an added advantage.

• Minimum 5 years of experience working in an established Container Freight Station in Dar es Salaam, held in a senior / supervisory capacity (Operations Manager, Shift In-Charge, CFS Supervisor or equivalent).

• Strong, hands-on knowledge of CFS yard operations, container handling equipment, stuffing and de-stuffing workflows, customs-bonded warehouse procedures and local regulatory requirements (TPA, TRA, OSHE).

• Proven leadership and people-management skills – able to lead a multi-shift team of 50+ staff including supervisors, operators, tally clerks and casual labour.

• Strong commercial and customer-relationship skills with shipping lines and clearing & forwarding companies.

• Working knowledge of operational reporting systems and advanced Excel.

• Excellent communication in English and Swahili.