Logistics Supervisor - at Releaf

About Releaf

Releaf invents both financial and food processing technology to increase smallholder harvest yields and create high-quality raw material supply chains for African Consumer Brands, starting in the $3B Nigerian vegetable oil market. We believe this layer of the economy is underdeveloped, valuable, and possible to scale quickly in.

Our first patented technology is Kraken, Africa’s first industrial oil palm (nut) processor compatible with smallholder varieties. We 1. Aggregate smallholder crops, 2. Process them with Kraken, and sell high-quality vegetable oil to Consumer Brands. 80% of oil palm supply comes from smallholders and Kraken can process 500 metric tons weekly.

Releaf is led by Ikenna Nzewi and Uzo Ayogu, who have been friends and co-founders since college at Yale and Duke. Releaf is backed by Y Combinator, Kepple Africa, Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy, and Samurai Incubate, amongst numerous HNIs including Justin Kan, Stephen Pagliuca, Iyin Aboyeji, and Jeff Ubben

Role Summary

The Logistics Supervisor will be responsible for sourcing’s logistics activities (aggregation, stock inventory, weighing, dispatch truck arrangements, loading, fleet management etc.) around our sourcing in Cross River State. You will coordinate last mile logistics for proper aggregation of multiple raw material piles, as well as  the activities of the field operatives under your jurisdiction to ensure that they beat their targets.

Key Operating Principles

• Train on Schedule: Ability to get the job done quickly with a bias to action, and lead the team to accomplish tasks in the same manner.
• Assertive Contrarian: Must be able to challenge the status quo and offer solutions based on facts and figures.
• Strategist: Develop new methods to improve current systems and streamline operations
• Reachability: Comfortable communicating with digital tools - WhatsApp, email, etc. and staying available on mobile.
• Last Man Standing: Must be able to work under pressure and for long periods of time.

Role Responsibilities

Team Ownership

• Building a culture of disciplined coordination
• Cost cutting mentality
• Accurate reporting with implication synthesis
• Strong negotiation but fair pricing for all
• On field logistics strategy (Pricing & Community relationship)
• Drive, refocus, and repurpose field officers & activities to hit aggregation goals according to department’s objectives
• Advocate for resourcing to meet department’s objectives

Logistics Organization

• Managing and review officers’ logistic missions/activities in jurisdiction
• Weighing of raw materials purchased
• Loading of raw materials purchased
• Determine time of raw materials pickup based on sourcing goals
• Determine type of truck to be used for pickups based on mill to road accessibility
• Determine aggregation points for raw materials purchased if need be, to facilitate pickup
• Monitor, audit & justify all raw materials moved
• Verify sourcing’s purchases
• Keep track of all raw materials delivered to all aggregation spots within jurisdiction
• Carry out regular spot check of aggregation points
• Compile and audit weighing and dispatch reports

Logistics Fleet Management

• Optimize vehicle utilization and full capacity utilization of all LMV (Light Motor Vehicle)
• Optimize fuel consumption of all LMV
• Ensure routine maintenance of the fleet is carried out regularly
• Oversee vehicle allocation for last my aggregation in sourcing locations
• Maintaining detailed records of vehicle servicing and inspection
• Liaise with road and transport authorities
• Logistic scheduling system for efficient pickups
• Work with 3PL partner on timely pickups
• Renegotiate cost based on prevailing economic metrics
• Weekly raw material movement reports to Sourcing Manager
• Direct and oversee all procurement activities and manage vendors relating to logistics

Profitability

• Drive down overall costs of logistics
• Cost efficient last mile logistics, cost per ton moved
• Reduce time wastages that can incur demurrage on third party assets
• Balance between external & internal loaders for consistent loading cost per ton
• High leverage negotiation for community settlement
• Uncover slippages areas and mitigate them
• Perform weekly and monthly reconciliation of raw material moved

Increased Productivity

• Assess appropriate material handling equipment needs and staffing levels needed to load, unload, and move raw materials around
• Reduce man-hour/ton of uncracked palm kernel nut pre-processed
• Reduce down-time and idleness with direct line reports
• Zero demurrage cost on all logistics activities (raw material off-loading & loading)

Data management

• Ownership of all logistics metrics
• Dispatch metrics
• Aggregation metrics (inbound, outbound)
• LMV metrics (Utilization, downtime, fuel consumption etc.)

Role Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or Higher National Diploma
• Minimum of 5 years working experience in Logistics and Supply Chain
• ​Advanced Excel skill to create macros, pivot tables, VLOOKUP, analytical capabilities, and workbooks.
• Relevant professional certification in Logistics or Supply Chain management will be an added advantage
• ​Knowledge of SHEQ principles.
• Experience or high level of comfort in logistics operations.
• Ability to build relationships with key stakeholders and network across other functions/business units.
• Clear understanding and commitment to compliance with safety regulations in and out of the work environment. Strong analytical and contract management skills.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Attention to detail is essential.
• Good written and verbal communication skills