Transport Controller

Role Overview

Sappi Forests is seeking a Transport Controller based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, to effectively monitor and track vehicles using electronic systems, ensuring driver safety, risk control, and client satisfaction through punctual and complete delivery of goods. The position plays a key role in coordinating and expediting product off-loading at delivery sites to guarantee timely transportation services.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement daily route plans via live integrated vehicle tracking, ensuring alignment with optimized plans for all site vehicles.
• Identify and escalate any deviations from planned trips to the Transport Planner, adhering strictly to tracking procedures.
• Maintain continuous communication with customers to optimize delivery schedules and reduce transportation costs by minimizing turnaround times.
• Measure and report on-time delivery and turnaround times, including deviations, across hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly periods at the customer level.
• Ensure compliance with vehicle security protocols at all times.
• Prepare and submit precise daily reports to the planner before routing sessions to optimize inclusion of returns in the next day's plans.
• Monitor and manage driver conduct by tracking key driver events, escalating concerns to the Transport Officer for improvement.
• Keep the tracking system up to date to manage planned versus actual routes, improving customer location optimization and achieving above 96% customer/market order accuracy.
• Ensure all vehicles are tracked electronically, providing explanations daily for any untracked vehicles.
• Record every trip using relevant platforms such as Quartex and MixTelematics.
• Revise trip plans as necessary and communicate updates to all pertinent stakeholders.
• Maintain and communicate changes or variations on platforms like Quartex and MixTelematics promptly.
• Handover shift updates daily and keep all stakeholders informed of current status.
• Report detailed variances from original plans including reasons and proposed action steps.
• Document all communications between stakeholders during each shift comprehensively.

Candidate Profile

• Minimum Grade 12 qualification.
• Diploma in Transport or an equivalent qualification is preferred.
• Up to 5 years of relevant work experience, with planning experience considered beneficial.
• Fluent proficiency in both isiZulu and English.
• Competent in MS Office, particularly with strong skills in MS Excel.