Job Summary
- Type: full-time
- Location: Harare
- Category: Logistics & Supply Chain
- Closing Date: 2026-08-31
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee national distribution operations, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of products to outlets and customers.
- Develop and optimise delivery routes, schedules, fleet utilisation, and logistics processes to improve service efficiency and reduce costs.
- Coordinate with Operations, Shop Managers, Complex Managers, and Regional teams to ensure products and raw materials reach the correct destinations on time.
- Monitor stock movements, delivery performance, transport costs, fuel consumption, and distribution efficiency, taking corrective action where required.
- Oversee fleet management, including vehicle tracking, licensing, insurance, servicing, repairs, statutory requirements, and accident procedures.
- Lead the distribution team through effective scheduling, daily briefings, performance management, discipline, welfare, and conflict resolution.
- Analyse demand and operational requirements to prepare for peak periods and ensure adequate distribution capacity.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, transport procedures, safety requirements, and operational standards.
Requirements
- A Degree in Purchasing and Supply, Warehouse and Logistics, Transport and Logistics, Business Management, or a related field. An Administration or Accounting qualification will be an added advantage.
- At least 3 years’ experience in warehousing, logistics, distribution, or fleet management, with proven supervisory or management experience.
- Strong knowledge of logistics operations, route planning, fleet management, stock control, and cost management.
- A clean Class 2 Driver’s Licence is required.
How to Apply
About the Company
Baker's Inn is a key player in Zimbabwe's baking industry, recognized for its commitment to quality and affordability. The company specializes in producing a variety of bread, prominently featuring its soft white loaf. Baker's Inn consistently offers these products at competitive prices, making fresh bread accessible to consumers throughout Zimbabwe. Its signature soft white loaves are particularly celebrated as the foundation for crafting the freshest sandwiches. Dedicated to providing essential bakery items, Baker's Inn remains a trusted name for households across the nation.
Zimbabwe's freshest soft white loaves for delicious sandwiches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications or certifications are typically required for a Distribution & Logistics Manager role in Zimbabwe?
A bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field is commonly required. Professional certifications such as CILT(Z) (Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Zimbabwe) or CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply) are highly valued and often preferred by employers. Some roles may accept substantial relevant experience in lieu of formal qualifications, especially if combined with proven performance in warehouse, transport, or distribution operations within Zimbabwean FMCG or hospitality sectors.
What does a typical day look like for a Distribution & Logistics Manager at a Zimbabwean hospitality business like Baker’s Inn?
Daily responsibilities include coordinating inbound/outbound deliveries, managing fleet maintenance schedules, supervising warehouse staff and drivers, and liaising with suppliers and regional outlets across Zimbabwe. You’ll also handle customs documentation for imported goods, resolve last-mile delivery delays due to fuel shortages or road conditions, and ensure stock accuracy using local inventory systems like SAP or Excel-based trackers common in Zimbabwean SMEs.
How does the work culture and employer expectations differ for logistics managers in Zimbabwe compared to other countries?
Zimbabwean employers value adaptability, hands-on problem-solving, and strong interpersonal skills—especially when navigating infrastructure constraints, foreign currency fluctuations, and informal supplier relationships. Punctuality and proactive communication are expected, but flexibility around deadlines is common due to logistical realities; managers are judged on resilience and ability to maintain service levels despite intermittent challenges like load-shedding or forex liquidity issues.
What realistic career progression paths exist for someone starting as a Distribution & Logistics Manager in Zimbabwe?
With 3–5 years’ experience, professionals often progress to Head of Supply Chain, Operations Director, or multi-site Logistics Lead roles—particularly within larger Zimbabwean hospitality groups or regional FMCG distributors. Some transition into consulting, procurement leadership, or start their own logistics subcontracting businesses, leveraging local networks and regulatory knowledge. Continued CILT(Z) membership and postgraduate diplomas (e.g., UNISA’s Logistics programmes) support upward mobility.
What benefits can I realistically expect in this role—such as leave, medical aid, or pension—in Zimbabwe?
Formal sector employers typically offer 22–30 days annual leave, statutory sick leave, and maternity/paternity leave per the Labour Act (Chapter 28:01). Medical aid is common but often through group schemes like NSSA-affiliated providers or private plans (e.g., Fidelity Life or Old Mutual Health), while pension contributions usually follow NSSA requirements or voluntary private schemes. Benefits vary significantly between large corporate employers and smaller hospitality groups.
How should I apply, and what do Zimbabwean employers specifically look for in candidates for this role?
Applications are usually submitted via email or LinkedIn with a tailored CV highlighting Zimbabwe-specific logistics experience—e.g., managing cross-border transport to SADC countries, working with ZIMRA documentation, or operating under forex restrictions. Employers prioritise evidence of cost control, vendor negotiation in ZWL/USD dual-currency environments, team leadership in high-turnover settings, and familiarity with local transport regulations and safety standards enforced by the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID).