POSITION TITLE: Senior Ocean Freight Export Operations Supervisor

LOCATION: Mombasa

FUNCTION/DEPARTMENT: SEA EXPORTS

REPORTS TO: Branch Manager - Mombasa

DIRECT REPORTS/SUPERVISES: Shipping supervisor, COMs, CSOs, Invoicing Supervisor

JOB PURPOSE

The Senior Ocean Freight Export Operations Supervisor is responsible for supervising the day-to-day export operations, ensuring efficient service delivery, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and high customer satisfaction. The role coordinates export activities, supports business development initiatives, monitors team performance, and ensures timely execution of all export processes in line with company standards and customer expectations.

Working relationships:

INTERNAL CONTACTS

• Branch Manager
• Finance team
• Imports team

EXTERNAL CONTACTS

• Clients
• KRA
• Govt Regulatory bodies
• Transporters

Duties:

Operational Supervision

• Supervise daily export operations to ensure timely execution of customer requirements.
• Coordinate documentation, customs clearance, shipping, transport, and warehouse activities.
• Monitor operational KPIs and implement corrective actions where required.
• Escalate operational risks and service issues promptly.

Client Service & Relationship Management

• Maintain strong relationships with existing clients and ensure service excellence.
• Resolve customer concerns within agreed service levels.
• Conduct client service reviews and support customer retention initiatives.
• Support tariff reviews and implementation.

Regulatory & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with customs regulations, KRA requirements, and company procedures.
• Coordinate submission of bond returns and statutory documentation.
• Support internal and external audits.
• Ensure documentation accuracy and process compliance.

Reporting & Performance Monitoring

• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly operational reports.
• Monitor departmental KPIs and productivity.
• Analyse operational trends and recommend improvements.
• Maintain accurate operational records.

Business Development Support

• Support the identification of new business opportunities.
• Prepare quotations and operational proposals.
• Participate in customer visits where required.
• Support implementation of new customer accounts.

Team Leadership

• Supervise, coach and develop the exports team.
• Allocate work and monitor productivity.
• Conduct performance discussions and provide continuous feedback.
• Identify training needs and support capability development.
• Drive adherence to company policies and operational standards.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs.
• Champion process improvement initiatives.
• Support implementation of operational excellence projects.

Key Skills

• Communication
• Customer care
• Negotiation
• Analytical
• Managerial
• Computer literacy

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in International Business, Logistics, Supply Chain, or a related field.

Experience

• 8+ years of experience in export operations.
• 3+ years managing a team at a supervisory level.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive
• Resilient
• Integrity
• Keen
• Interpersonal relations
• Team leader
• Confidentiality