Transport/Dispatch Manager - PPU

Job Title:     Transport/Dispatch Manager - PPU

Reports To: Head, Logistics -PPU Operations

Location:     Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals
 
Job Summary:

The Transportation/Dispatch Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and controlling all inbound and outbound transportation and dispatch operations for the Polypropylene (PP) plant, ensuring the safe, timely, and cost-effective movement of finished PP product, raw materials, and bulk feedstock via road, rail, and bulk carriers. The role owns the dispatch scheduling process, fleet and carrier performance, loading/weighbridge operations, and transport-related documentation and compliance, working closely with the Warehouse Manager, Production, Commercial/Sales, and external logistics partners to ensure reliable, on-time delivery while optimizing transportation cost and minimizing safety and product-quality risk during transit.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

Dispatch Planning & Scheduling

• Develop and manage the daily/weekly dispatch schedule for road, and bulk shipments in line with production output, customer orders, and inventory availability.
• Coordinate with Production, Warehouse, and Commercial/Sales teams to prioritize dispatch based on order urgency, customer SLAs, and storage constraints.
• Optimize loading sequencing and bay/dock allocation to minimize vehicle dwell time and maximize daily dispatch throughput.
• Manage exception handling for schedule disruptions (vehicle shortages, production delays, weather, customer changes) and communicate proactively with stakeholders.

Fleet & Carrier Management
• Oversee owned/leased fleet operations, including vehicle maintenance planning, roadworthiness compliance, and driver scheduling and performance management.
• Manage contracts, rates, and performance of third-party transporters and freight forwarders, ensuring SLA compliance and cost competitiveness.
• Conduct periodic carrier performance reviews and tender/negotiate transportation contracts and freight rates in coordination with Procurement.
• Ensure all drivers and transport partners comply with HSE, hazardous materials handling, and defensive-driving standards relevant to petrochemical product transport.

Loading & Yard Operations
• Oversee safe and efficient loading operations for bagged pallets, ensuring correct product, batch, and quantity verification prior to dispatch.
• Manage yard traffic flow to minimize congestion, vehicle queuing, and turnaround delays, particularly during peak dispatch periods.
• Ensure loading equipment (forklifts, loading arms, Reach Stacker) is maintained and operated safely and efficiently.

Documentation, Compliance & HSE
• Ensure accurate and timely generation of dispatch documentation: delivery notes, waybills, weighbridge tickets, certificates of analysis, and dangerous goods/hazmat transport documents.
• Ensure compliance with national and international transport regulations, including hazardous materials/dangerous goods transport requirements applicable to PP resin and associated chemicals.
• Enforce refinery HSE and process safety standards across all loading, transport, and yard operations, including permit-to-work and static/spark-risk controls.
• Lead investigations into transport-related incidents, near-misses, product damage, or delivery failures, and implement corrective actions.

Cost Management & Continuous Improvement
• Own and manage the transportation and dispatch operating budget, tracking freight cost per ton, demurrage/detention costs, and cost-saving opportunities.
• Identify and implement route optimization, load consolidation, and modal-shift opportunities (road-to-rail, bulk-to-container) to reduce transportation cost.
• Drive continuous improvement and digitalization initiatives (dispatch scheduling systems, telematics, automated weighbridge/gate systems) to improve efficiency and visibility.
• Prepare and present regular performance reports on dispatch reliability, transportation cost, and carrier/fleet performance to plant and supply chain leadership.

Qualifications & Experience

Education
• Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Transportation Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Professional certification in Logistics/Transportation Management (e.g., CILT, APICS/CPIM, CSCP) or Dangerous Goods/Hazmat Transport certification is an advantage.

Experience
• Minimum 8–10 years of progressive experience in transportation, dispatch, or logistics operations, preferably within a petrochemical, polymer, refinery, or bulk manufacturing environment.
• At least 3–5 years in a supervisory/managerial role leading dispatch, fleet, or transportation teams.
• Demonstrated experience managing bulk/hazardous product transportation (road tanker, rail car, bulk carrier) and associated regulatory compliance.
• Experience negotiating and managing third-party logistics (3PL), transporter, and rail operator contracts and performance.
• Hands-on experience with SAP SD/TM (Sales & Distribution / Transportation Management) or equivalent ERP/dispatch scheduling systems required.

Functional Competencies

• Transportation and dispatch scheduling and route optimization.
• Fleet management: maintenance planning, driver management, and vehicle compliance.
• Freight and carrier contract management, rate negotiation, and 3PL performance management.
• Knowledge of hazardous materials/dangerous goods transport regulations relevant to PP resin and petrochemical products.
• Weighbridge, loading, and yard operations management.
• Transport documentation, customs/export compliance, and trade documentation (where applicable). • Freight cost management and budgeting.
• HSE and process safety standards relevant to bulk/hazardous product loading and transport.

Behavioural Competencies

• Strong planning and organizational skills, able to manage complex, time-sensitive dispatch schedules under pressure.
• Decisive problem-solver, able to manage disruptions and exceptions with minimal impact to delivery commitments.
• Effective leadership of dispatch, yard, and fleet teams, with a hands-on, visible presence in operations.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills across Production, Warehouse, Commercial, and external logistics partners.
• Safety-first mindset with proactive hazard identification, particularly around loading and hazardous material transport.
• Negotiation skills for managing carrier contracts and freight rates.
• Resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced, 24/7 industrial dispatch environment.

• Continuous improvement orientation, seeking efficiency and cost-reduction opportunities.

Digital/SAP Competencies

• Proficient in SAP SD (Sales & Distribution) for outbound delivery creation, shipment scheduling, and billing-related dispatch documentation.
• Working knowledge of SAP TM (Transportation Management) or equivalent transport planning/scheduling systems.
• Familiarity with SAP MM/WM integration points relevant to dispatch (stock availability, goods issue, delivery confirmation).
• Ability to generate and interpret SAP reports on dispatch performance, freight cost, and carrier/vehicle utilization.
• Experience with weighbridge automation, telematics/GPS fleet tracking, and electronic proof-of-delivery systems.
• Proficiency in MS Excel for dispatch scheduling, freight cost analysis, and KPI dashboard reporting.
• Exposure to digital yard management systems, automated gate/access control, and real-time dispatch visibility platforms is an advantage.