Chief Operating Officer

Description:

This pivotal role offers the opportunity to take a business with a strong legacy and accelerate its journey from good to great. The COO will translate business strategy into action, lead a diverse portfolio of operations and ensure the organisation achieves sustainable growth, innovation, and operational excellence.

Responsibilities:
Lead, inspire and develop a high-performing executive team, cultivating a culture of accountability, innovation and continuous improvement. Oversee air and sea freight, customs clearing, contract logistics, transport, pharma logistics, and trade lanes - ensuring service excellence and customer retention. Drive customer obsession by engaging directly with key clients, safeguarding retention structures and ensuring long-term loyalty. Actively support the new business sales function through customer acquisition strategies, field involvement, tender participation and innovative pricing models. Champion the use of data-driven insights, digital solutions, and artificial intelligence to drive automation, innovation and competitive advantage. Conduct regular operational assessments across business units to ensure compliance, efficiency and profitability. Ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements, including the Customs Act, risk management frameworks and B-BBEE standards. Develop and execute financial strategies in collaboration with the CFO, ensuring profitability, yield optimisation and cost control. Partner with the marketing function to enhance brand visibility and ensure relevant, industry-leading campaigns. Foster strong stakeholder relationships with customers, global partners, suppliers, bankers and shareholders to maximise business opportunities. Support talent management, succession planning and staff recognition programmes to sustain a people-centric and high-performance culture. Prepare and present detailed performance reports and strategies at Board and AGM level, ensuring alignment with long-term growth objectives. Proactively identify and develop new product opportunities and market innovations to expand service offerings and distinguish the group in the industry. Requirements:
Bachelors degree in Commerce/Business (NQF level 8), postgraduate qualification or executive leadership program is advantageous. 20+ years experience in international freight forwarding, logistics, contract logistics, transport and customs clearing. Proven track record of transforming and scaling businesses sustainably. Strong financial acumen: yield management, pricing, cost control and profitability. Exceptional leadership, board-level communication and negotiation skills. Entrepreneurial mindset with resilience, vision and a hands-on leadership style. Willingness to travel locally and in