Transport/Dispatch Manager - PPU

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE is a historic 650,000 bpd mega-refinery based in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos. Operating as the world’s largest single-train facility, we are dedicated to achieving national and regional energy security, eliminating reliance on imported petroleum products, and powering Africa's industrial growth through engineering excellence and innovation. As the world's largest single-train refinery, it drives Africa's economic self-sufficiency by producing high-quality refined petroleum products and transforming the continent's energy sector. Job Title: Transport/Dispatch Manager - PPU Reports To: Head, Logistics -PPU Operations Location: Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals Job Summary: The Transportation/Dispatch Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and controlling all inbound and outbound transportation and dispatch operations for the Polypropylene (PP) plant, ensuring the safe, timely, and cost-effective movement of finished PP product, raw materials, and bulk feedstock via road, rail, and bulk carriers. The role owns the dispatch scheduling process, fleet and carrier performance, loading/weighbridge operations, and transport-related documentation and compliance, working closely with the Warehouse Manager, Production, Commercial/Sales, and external logistics partners to ensure reliable, on-time delivery while optimizing transportation cost and minimizing safety and product-quality risk during transit. Key Roles & Responsibilities Dispatch Planning & Scheduling

• Develop and manage the daily/weekly dispatch schedule for road, and bulk shipments in line with production output, customer orders, and inventory availability.
• Coordinate with Production, Warehouse, and Commercial/Sales teams to prioritize dispatch based on order urgency, customer SLAs, and storage constraints.
• Optimize loading sequencing and bay/dock allocation to minimize vehicle dwell time and maximize daily dispatch throughput.
• Manage exception handling for schedule disruptions (vehicle shortages, production delays, weather, customer changes) and communicate proactively with stakeholders.

• Oversee owned/leased fleet operations, including vehicle maintenance planning, roadworthiness compliance, and driver scheduling and performance management.
• Manage contracts, rates, and performance of third-party transporters and freight forwarders, ensuring SLA compliance and cost competitiveness.
• Conduct periodic carrier performance reviews and tender/negotiate transportation contracts and freight rates in coordination with Procurement.
• Ensure all drivers and transport partners comply with HSE, hazardous materials handling, and defensive-driving standards relevant to petrochemical product transport.

• Oversee safe and efficient loading operations for bagged pallets, ensuring correct product, batch, and quantity verification prior to dispatch.
• Manage yard traffic flow to minimize congestion, vehicle queuing, and turnaround delays, particularly during peak dispatch periods.
• Ensure loading equipment (forklifts, loading arms, Reach Stacker) is maintained and operated safely and efficiently.

• Ensure accurate and timely generation of dispatch documentation: delivery notes, waybills, weighbridge tickets, certificates of analysis, and dangerous goods/hazmat transport documents.
• Ensure compliance with national and international transport regulations, including hazardous materials/dangerous goods transport requirements applicable to PP resin and associated chemicals.
• Enforce refinery HSE and process safety standards across all loading, transport, and yard operations, including permit-to-work and static/spark-risk controls.
• Lead investigations into transport-related incidents, near-misses, product damage, or delivery failures, and implement corrective actions.

• Own and manage the transportation and dispatch operating budget, tracking freight cost per ton, demurrage/detention costs, and cost-saving opportunities.
• Identify and implement route optimization, load consolidation, and modal-shift opportunities (road-to-rail, bulk-to-container) to reduce transportation cost.
• Drive continuous improvement and digitalization initiatives (dispatch scheduling systems, telematics, automated weighbridge/gate systems) to improve efficiency and visibility.
• Prepare and present regular performance reports on dispatch reliability, transportation cost, and carrier/fleet performance to plant and supply chain leadership.

• Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Transportation Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Professional certification in Logistics/Transportation Management (e.g., CILT, APICS/CPIM, CSCP) or Dangerous Goods/Hazmat Transport certification is an advantage.

• Minimum 8–10 years of progressive experience in transportation, dispatch, or logistics operations, preferably within a petrochemical, polymer, refinery, or bulk manufacturing environment.
• At least 3–5 years in a supervisory/managerial role leading dispatch, fleet, or transportation teams.
• Demonstrated experience managing bulk/hazardous product transportation (road tanker, rail car, bulk carrier) and associated regulatory compliance.
• Experience negotiating and managing third-party logistics (3PL), transporter, and rail operator contracts and performance.
• Hands-on experience with SAP SD/TM (Sales & Distribution / Transportation Management) or equivalent ERP/dispatch scheduling systems required.

• Transportation and dispatch scheduling and route optimization.
• Fleet management: maintenance planning, driver management, and vehicle compliance.
• Freight and carrier contract management, rate negotiation, and 3PL performance management.
• Knowledge of hazardous materials/dangerous goods transport regulations relevant to PP resin and petrochemical products.
• Weighbridge, loading, and yard operations management.
• Transport documentation, customs/export compliance, and trade documentation (where applicable). • Freight cost management and budgeting.
• HSE and process safety standards relevant to bulk/hazardous product loading and transport.

• Strong planning and organizational skills, able to manage complex, time-sensitive dispatch schedules under pressure.
• Decisive problem-solver, able to manage disruptions and exceptions with minimal impact to delivery commitments.
• Effective leadership of dispatch, yard, and fleet teams, with a hands-on, visible presence in operations.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills across Production, Warehouse, Commercial, and external logistics partners.
• Safety-first mindset with proactive hazard identification, particularly around loading and hazardous material transport.
• Negotiation skills for managing carrier contracts and freight rates.
• Resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced, 24/7 industrial dispatch environment.
• Continuous improvement orientation, seeking efficiency and cost-reduction opportunities.

• Proficient in SAP SD (Sales & Distribution) for outbound delivery creation, shipment scheduling, and billing-related dispatch documentation.
• Working knowledge of SAP TM (Transportation Management) or equivalent transport planning/scheduling systems.
• Familiarity with SAP MM/WM integration points relevant to dispatch (stock availability, goods issue, delivery confirmation).
• Ability to generate and interpret SAP reports on dispatch performance, freight cost, and carrier/vehicle utilization.
• Experience with weighbridge automation, telematics/GPS fleet tracking, and electronic proof-of-delivery systems.
• Proficiency in MS Excel for dispatch scheduling, freight cost analysis, and KPI dashboard reporting.
• Exposure to digital yard management systems, automated gate/access control, and real-time dispatch visibility platforms is an advantage.