Branch Manager – Express Courier (Medium Branch)

Location: Klerksdorp & Kroonstad, South Africa

Employment Type: Permanent

Salary: Market Related

Introduction

Our client, a leading organisation in the express courier and logistics industry, is seeking an experienced Branch Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of a medium-sized express courier branch.

This role is responsible for managing the complete branch operation across both First Mile and Last Mile activities, ensuring parcels are collected, processed, routed and delivered efficiently while consistently achieving customer service, operational and financial performance targets.

The successful candidate will lead branch employees, owner drivers and transport operations while maintaining exceptional service levels, operational efficiency and cost control in a fast-paced courier environment.

Key Responsibilities

Branch Leadership

• Manage the overall performance of the branch.
• Lead daily branch operations to achieve operational and financial objectives.
• Drive customer service excellence and operational efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and operational standards.
• Lead, coach and develop branch employees.

First Mile Operations

• Manage the collection of parcels from customers and origin locations.
• Ensure collections are completed within agreed service levels.
• Monitor collection performance and implement corrective actions where required.
• Coordinate collection schedules and route planning.

Last Mile Operations

• Manage the final delivery of parcels to customers.
• Ensure deliveries meet customer expectations and service level agreements.
• Monitor delivery performance and resolve operational issues.
• Drive improvements in delivery efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Fleet & Owner Driver Management

• Manage company fleet and owner drivers.
• Optimise fleet utilisation and delivery routes.
• Monitor fleet performance and productivity.
• Control transport, fleet and cartage costs.
• Ensure vehicle compliance and maintenance standards are maintained.

Operational Management

• Manage parcel processing and branch workflow.
• Ensure parcels are accurately scanned, sorted and dispatched.
• Monitor daily operational KPIs.
• Manage branch resources to maximise productivity.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives.

Financial Management

• Manage branch operating budgets.
• Control labour, fleet and cartage costs.
• Monitor branch profitability.
• Ensure cost-effective operational planning.
• Identify opportunities for operational savings.

Customer & Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships with customers.
• Resolve customer service issues quickly and professionally.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders.
• Maintain strong relationships with suppliers and owner drivers.
• Ensure customer service standards are consistently achieved.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure Health & Safety compliance.
• Maintain operational and transport compliance.
• Participate in internal and external audits.
• Identify and mitigate operational risks.
• Ensure branch compliance with company policies and procedures.

People Management

• Lead, motivate and develop branch employees.
• Manage owner drivers and operational teams.
• Conduct performance reviews.
• Manage labour relations and disciplinary matters.
• Identify training and development opportunities.
• Drive employee engagement and succession planning.

Minimum Requirements

Education

• Grade 12 (Matric)
• Diploma or Degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Transport Management or related field advantageous.

Essential Experience

• Minimum 3 years' Branch Management experience within an Express Courier environment.
• Experience managing a medium-sized courier branch.
• Proven experience managing First Mile and Last Mile operations.
• Experience managing parcel collections and deliveries.
• Experience managing owner drivers.
• Fleet management experience.
• Experience managing transport and cartage costs.
• Experience leading operational teams.
• Experience managing branch budgets and operational costs.
• Strong customer service management experience.

Highly Advantageous

• Experience within companies such as RTT, RAM, The Courier Guy, Aramex, DHL Express, Dawn Wing, DPD Laser, Fastway, FedEx, UPS, SkyNet or similar express courier businesses.
• Experience managing courier service levels and delivery KPIs.
• Knowledge of route optimisation and parcel distribution networks.

Knowledge Required

• Express Courier Operations
• First Mile Operations
• Last Mile Operations
• Parcel Distribution
• Route Optimisation
• Fleet Management
• Owner Driver Management
• Cartage Management
• Transport Operations
• Branch Financial Management
• Budget Control
• Cost Management
• Health & Safety
• Labour Relations
• Customer Service
• Risk Management
• Microsoft Office

Skills & Competencies

• Strong operational leadership
• Excellent people management
• Commercial and business acumen
• Customer-focused approach
• Strong decision-making ability
• Analytical thinking
• Conflict resolution
• Coaching and mentoring
• Excellent communication skills
• Stakeholder management
• Negotiation skills
• Organisational ability
• Ability to work under pressure
• High attention to detail
• Results driven
• Problem-solving ability

Key Performance Indicators

• Collection performance
• Delivery performance
• First Mile efficiency
• Last Mile efficiency
• On-time delivery performance
• Customer satisfaction
• Fleet utilisation
• Route optimisation
• Cartage cost management
• Budget adherence
• Branch profitability
• Health & Safety compliance
• Audit compliance
• Employee performance
• Continuous improvement initiatives

What We're Looking For

We are looking for a proven Branch Manager from an Express Courier environment who has successfully managed both First Mile and Last Mile operations. The successful candidate will have experience leading owner drivers, fleet operations, parcel collections and deliveries, while driving customer satisfaction, operational excellence and financial performance within a fast-paced courier network.

Please note: Applications from candidates without direct express courier branch management experience will not be considered.