Business Manager – Haulage, Transport & Logistics Lagos

Ascentech Services Limited is a human resources solutions company dedicated to helping businesses build stronger teams and manage people functions more effectively. Established in Nigeria in 2013, we have supported organizations for years with high-quality, practical HR services designed to meet real business needs; adapting to evolving workforce demands and enabling long-term growth. With a strong presence in Lagos and Ibadan, and an expanding footprint through Ascentforce in India, we deliver a broader, more connected approach to recruitment, outsourcing, training, and ongoing HR support. We are  recruiting to fill the position below:

 Job Title: Business Manager – Haulage, Transport & Logistics

Location: Lagos

Employment Type: Full-time

Industry: Logistics, Transportation & Haulage Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced and commercially driven Business Manager – Haulage, Transport & Logistics to oversee and grow the company's haulage, transportation and logistics business. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing day-to-day operations, fleet and driver performance, client relationships, business development, revenue generation, cost control and overall profitability of the business unit. The role requires a strong understanding of the haulage and logistics industry, with the ability to balance commercial growth with operational efficiency. The candidate should be capable of developing new business opportunities, managing existing client accounts, negotiating contracts and ensuring efficient utilization of trucks and other transportation resources.

Develop and implement strategies to grow the haulage, transportation and logistics business. Identify and pursue new business opportunities across relevant industries and customer segments. Build and maintain relationships with key clients, corporate customers, manufacturers, distributors, freight forwarders and other business partners. Develop proposals, quotations and commercial offers for prospective clients. Negotiate service rates, contracts and commercial terms within approved limits. Monitor market trends, competitor activities and pricing to identify new opportunities. Develop strategies to increase fleet utilization, customer retention and revenue. Maintain a healthy sales pipeline and provide regular business development reports to management.

Oversee the daily operations of the haulage and transportation business. Coordinate the deployment of trucks, drivers and other transportation resources. Plan routes and schedules to maximize vehicle utilization and minimize empty trips and unnecessary downtime. Monitor vehicle turnaround time, delivery performance and operational efficiency. Ensure goods are transported and delivered safely and within agreed timelines. Coordinate with clients and operational teams to resolve transportation and delivery issues. Monitor third-party transporters and logistics partners where applicable.

Oversee the effective utilization and availability of the company's fleet. Monitor truck performance, fuel consumption, mileage and downtime. Ensure preventive maintenance schedules are properly implemented. Coordinate vehicle servicing, repairs and inspections. Ensure all vehicles have valid documentation, insurance, permits and other required certifications. Identify underperforming or inefficient vehicles and recommend appropriate corrective action. Work with the maintenance team to reduce vehicle downtime and improve fleet availability.

Take responsibility for the financial performance and profitability of the haulage/logistics business unit. Monitor revenue, operating costs, margins and overall business performance. Develop and manage operational budgets. Monitor fuel, maintenance, driver, subcontractor and other logistics-related costs. Identify opportunities for cost reduction without compromising service quality or safety. Review client and transporter rates to ensure commercial viability. Prepare regular business performance reports for management.

Develop strong relationships with existing and prospective clients. Understand client transportation and logistics requirements and ensure effective service delivery. Act as the escalation point for major client issues and service concerns. Monitor customer satisfaction and service-level performance. Ensure contracts and agreed service-level requirements are consistently met. Identify opportunities to increase business from existing clients.

Lead and supervise drivers, logistics personnel, operations staff and other relevant team members. Set clear performance expectations and KPIs for the team. Monitor employee performance and productivity. Ensure staff comply with company policies, operational procedures and safety requirements. Train, coach and develop team members where necessary. Address operational or disciplinary issues in accordance with company policies.

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management:

Ensure compliance with applicable transportation, haulage and road safety regulations. Promote a strong safety culture across all transportation operations. Ensure drivers and vehicles comply with company safety standards. Monitor driver behaviour, accidents, incidents and safety violations. Investigate transportation-related incidents and recommend preventive measures. Ensure proper documentation and records are maintained for all trips and vehicles.

Develop and monitor KPIs for the haulage and logistics business. Track key metrics including revenue, fleet utilization, vehicle downtime, fuel consumption, delivery performance, operating costs and customer retention. Prepare weekly and monthly management reports. Provide management with insights and recommendations for improving business performance. Use operational and financial data to support decision-making.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Revenue growth and profitability New clients acquired Client retention rate Fleet utilization rate Vehicle availability and downtime On-time delivery rate Fuel efficiency Cost per trip/kilometre Number of successful trips completed Customer satisfaction Contract renewal rate Reduction in operational losses and avoidable costs

Bachelor's Degree or HND in Business Administration, Logistics, Transport Management, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Economics or a related field. 5–8 years of relevant experience in haulage, transportation, logistics, fleet management or a related industry. Proven experience in business development, client acquisition and commercial management within the transportation/logistics sector. Strong knowledge of haulage and fleet operations. Demonstrable experience managing drivers, trucks and/or third-party transporters. Experience in negotiating commercial contracts and transportation rates. Strong financial and cost-management skills. Excellent knowledge of route planning, fleet utilization and logistics operations. Strong leadership, negotiation and relationship-management skills. Good analytical and problem-solving abilities. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant logistics/fleet management systems.

Not Specified. Method of Application

Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV to: [Email hidden - Login to reveal] using the job title as the subject of the email.