Transport Manager

Role Overview

The prime function of the Transport Manager is to be accountable for and manage all transportation within the Kenya & export markets Network (spanning 9 markets). The role holder is responsible for defining, providing, controlling, and commercially managing all modes of transportation (land, sea, and air), covering all movements from material suppliers to the delivery of finished goods to customers.

You will ensure strategic logistics business objectives are developed and the right logistics capabilities—including global, regional, and local transport suppliers, systems, processes, and network infrastructure—are provided. This includes the management of strategic outsource partners and third-party logistics providers. As a member of the Supply Chain Team in Kenya, you will play a key role in defining and executing the Logistics and Transport strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Business & Commercial Management

• Accountable for managing all transportation in Kenya and Export markets.
• Maintain prime commercial and contractual ownership and control of the transport budget with all suppliers.
• Provide strategic and tactical direction to suppliers to deliver significant savings in transport spend.
• Standardize services and achieve network synergies across an end-to-end transport solution.
• Design and drive an efficient customer delivery scheme, balancing service levels and transport costs.
• Lead integration initiatives to deliver cost-effective transport solutions within the Kenya and Export network.
• Contribute to the development of the end-to-end supply chain strategy by driving the integration of suppliers and performance metrics.
• Introduce standardized supplier metrics such as OTIF (on time in full) and transport cost per mile.
• Ensure full compliance with local laws and group policies, including excise and indirect tax regulations.

Leadership & Relationships

• Align the end-to-end supply chain including operations, commercial, supply, demand, finance, and security.
• Foster a proactive culture of root cause analysis, continuous improvement, and excellent customer service.
• Build change capability across the local logistics community and coaching supply chain teams as a functional expert.
• Drive transport suppliers toward high performance and financial targets through active engagement with stakeholders.
• Maintain effective relationships at peer levels and vertically throughout the supply chain.

Innovation & Improvement

• Identify opportunities to integrate logistics solutions from on-site factory logistics to end-market distribution.
• Benchmark supply chain transport solutions and carrier capabilities against global and external FMCG companies.
• Continually review existing operations and execute improvement projects to enhance logistics methodologies and trends.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Education: Ideally, a degree in Business Administration, Logistics, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years (ideally 5-8 years) of experience in managing and developing logistics networks, suppliers, and capabilities within an FMCG environment.
• Technical Knowledge: High level of supply chain knowledge with functional expertise in logistics best practices, transport, Control Tower execution, and multi-modal supply solutions.
• Operational Experience: Proven track record in business change management, implementation, and management of 3rd party/outsourced logistics solutions.
• Compliance: Knowledge of security, excise, and indirect tax implications related to the movement of tobacco products is preferable.
• Skills: Strong contract development skills (defining SLAs and KPIs), influencing and leadership skills, and proficiency in written and spoken English.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should apply online through the British American Tobacco (BAT) careers portal. Follow the link below to be redirected to the official application page:

Apply for Transport Manager at BAT