DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, CENTRAL AFRICA AREA

About Company:

Hapag-Lloyd - With a fleet of 258 modern container ships and a total transport capacity of 1.9 million TEU, Hapag-Lloyd is one of the world’s leading liner shipping companies. The Company has around 14,000 employees and 400 offices in 135 countries. Hapag-Lloyd has a container capacity of 2,9 million TEU – including one of the largest and most modern fleets of reefer containers. A total of 115 liner services worldwide ensure fast and reliable connections between more than 600 ports on all the continents. Hapag-Lloyd is one of the leading operators in the Transatlantic, Middle East, Latin America and Intra-America trades.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Description:

• As the Director, you will oversee all aspects of Operations function, while maintaining a high level of service to customers, measuring and monitoring vendor and staff performance and controlling overall operational costs.
• Proactively manages vendors and their performance.
• Maintains relationship with local authorities, customs officials, etc. Consciously establishes a culture that encourages customer focus, individual development, efficiency, collaboration, and creates an environment for process improvements.
• Upholds and ensures that all Hapag-Lloyd policies and procedures are followed and maintained

Responsibilities

• Implementation and management of Hapag-Lloyd organizational structure and process, as it pertains to Terminal and Port Operations, Equipment, Transport Dispatch and Maintenance & Repair functions.
• Chair staff meetings to review and guide the progress of cost saving initiatives and operational priorities.
• Negotiate purchasing services, vendor contracts, and evaluations per Hapag-Lloyd policies.
• Equipment control management of all company owned and leased equipment, including maintenance and repair.
• Resolution of high-level concerns.
• Monitor performance-benchmarking figures to recognize and appraise personnel and to guide them for improved performance when necessary.
• Represent Area within committees, pursuing efficiencies, cost savings through the sharing of resources and services.
• Maintain working knowledge of all governmental rules and regulations.
• Participate in various Hapag-Lloyd working groups, business processes and any areas as requested by senior management.
• Assist local management in selection/hiring of staff.
• Maintain communication with local managers, providing, and disseminating updated information regarding Hapag-Lloyd policies and procedures.
• Work closely with other Area Directors on process improvement and communication flow.
• Coach and develop individual department managers and staff. Have regular performance reviews in line with the company’s policy and management requirements.
• Ensure the workload is balanced amongst the various disciplines within each department.
• Drives changes in the department that enable the fulfillment of Hapag-Lloyd’s quality promises and delivery of superior value to our customers that in turn translates into high levels of customer satisfaction and high NPS results.
• Ensures the timely development of the yearly Budget for the Department, closely supervising that all figures match and ideally exceed the expectations.

Requirements:

• University Degree in Maritime Studies, Shipping Management, Logistics, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Vast experience in a shipping company or an adjacent industry with 8 - 10 years' experience.
• Language requirements: English and French are a must, while Portuguese is a plus
• Proven track record in managing teams, terminals, or vessel operations—especially within container shipping or bulk logistics.
• Experience with international shipping regulations, port authorities, and customs operations
• Demonstrated ability to optimize costs, reduce turnaround time, and implement operational improvements
• Logistics. Inland transportation (road & rail).
• Port Operations. Cost Management and Cargo Claims.
• Experience in negotiating and delivering results. Strong analytics and good organizational skills.
• Willingness to travel frequently.

Salary

Application Closing Date: 17th June, 2025

Application Instructions:

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO APPLY