Job Description: Transportation Manager

Department: Supply Chain / Logistics
Location: Mumbai – Head Office

This is NOT a warehouse role.
This is NOT a planner role.
This is purely Fleet Transport Cost Vendor Pan-India Ops.

Role Overview

The Transportation Manager will oversee end-to-end outbound and inbound transportation across the company’s distribution network. This role requires strong expertise in managing sizeable transporter fleets negotiating freight contracts optimizing transportation cost and ensuring high service levels. The ideal candidate must possess strong analytical negotiation and leadership skills with hands-on experience in primary and secondary logistics.

Key Responsibilities

1. Freight Negotiation & Contracting

• Independently lead freight rate negotiations for primary & secondary distribution.

• Conduct reverse auctions or one-to-one negotiations as required.

• Prepare review and finalize annual transport contracts and agreements.

• Build freight benchmarks and monitor market trends to ensure cost efficiency.

2. Vendor Selection & Onboarding

• Identify assess and empanel transport partners as per company norms.

• Conduct due diligence on financial stability operational capability and safety compliance.

• Facilitate vendor onboarding including documentation and system creation.

• Build long-term partnerships with scalable and reliable transporter networks.

3. Transportation Operations Management

• Plan execute and optimize daily transportation operations across Pan-India.

• Improve route planning vehicle utilization and load consolidation.

• Monitor transit time trip adherence and fleet safety compliance.

4. Efficiency & Performance Management

• Implement and monitor transportation KPIs like OTIF TAT fill rate km/litre etc.

• Drive continuous improvement to reduce losses and improve cost-to-serve.

• Ensure strict adherence to SOPs across all transport operations.

• Utilize TMS/GPS dashboards for tracking and performance management.

5. Cost Monitoring & Budgeting

• Prepare annual budgets for primary and secondary transportation.

• Track actual vs. budget analyze variances and implement corrective measures.

• Monitor detention demurrage unloading charges and other logistics expenses.

• Drive cost-control initiatives without compromising delivery timelines.

6. Compliance Safety & Documentation

• Ensure compliance with RTO insurance fitness certificates and driver documentation.

• Enforce safety protocols including vehicle checks load securing and speed norms.

• Manage documentation for audits and statutory compliance.

• Review and resolve transporter claims (shortages/damages/demurrage).

7. Stakeholder & Cross-functional Coordination

• Collaborate with procurement warehouse finance and sales teams for transport planning.

• Work closely with customer service to resolve delivery-related issues.

• Maintain smooth communication between transporters and internal teams.

8. Digital Tools & Reporting

• Use TMS/GPS systems for planning tracking and performance review.

• Publish daily/weekly/monthly MIS on freight cost KPIs and route efficiencies.

• Recommend process automation and digital enhancements.

Qualifications & Experience

• Graduate/Postgraduate in any discipline.

• 7–10 years of experience in transportation management preferably in FMCG/Beverages/Food industries.

• Hands-on experience managing sizeable transporter fleets and Pan-India operations.

• Proven ability in freight negotiation contract handling and vendor management.

• Strong Excel skills (Pivots VLOOKUPs Costing) and understanding of TMS/GPS systems.

• Excellent communication leadership and stakeholder management skills.

• Must be from Mumbai or have prior work experience in Mumbai.

Key Competencies

• Strong Negotiation & Vendor Management

• Cost Optimization & Budget Control

• Operational Excellence

• Data-driven Decision Making

• Stakeholder Coordination

• Compliance & Safety Orientation

• Problem Solving & Leadership