Job Purpose
The Route Planning Manager at UBUNTU MOVERS is responsible for developing, coordinating, and optimizing transportation and delivery routes to ensure efficient, cost-effective, and timely movement of goods and cargo. The role involves managing route schedules, monitoring fleet utilization, reducing fuel and transportation costs, and ensuring compliance with road safety regulations and company operating procedures. The manager works closely with dispatch, fleet management, warehouse, and customer service teams to improve service delivery and operational performance.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
1. Route Planning and Optimization
Develop efficient transport and delivery routes based on customer locations, delivery schedules, traffic conditions, road networks, and vehicle capacity.
Optimize routes to minimize travel time, fuel consumption, vehicle wear and tear, and transportation costs.
Review existing routes regularly and recommend improvements to enhance operational efficiency.
Coordinate route planning for local, regional, and long-distance transportation assignments.
2. Fleet Scheduling and Coordination
Coordinate vehicle allocation and driver assignments according to delivery requirements, vehicle capacity, and availability.
Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly route schedules to support smooth transport operations.
Work with the Fleet Manager to ensure vehicles assigned to routes are roadworthy and properly maintained.
Adjust routes and schedules when there are delays, vehicle breakdowns, traffic disruptions, or urgent customer requests.
3. Cost Management and Efficiency
Monitor fuel consumption, mileage, toll charges, and other route-related expenses.
Identify opportunities to reduce operational costs without compromising service quality or safety.
Analyze route performance and recommend improvements in vehicle utilization and delivery planning.
Prepare route budgets and contribute to transport cost forecasting.
4. Driver and Dispatch Coordination
Work closely with dispatchers and drivers to communicate route instructions, schedules, and delivery priorities.
Monitor driver adherence to approved routes, schedules, and company procedures.
Coordinate alternative routes where necessary to avoid congestion, road closures, or unsafe road conditions.
Ensure drivers receive accurate delivery information and required transport documentation.
5. Monitoring and Performance Reporting
Use GPS tracking systems, fleet management software, and route-planning tools to monitor vehicle movements and route performance.
Track key performance indicators, including on-time deliveries, distance travelled, fuel efficiency, vehicle utilization, and route costs.
Investigate recurring delays, route deviations, and delivery inefficiencies.
Prepare regular reports for management and recommend corrective actions where necessary.
6. Customer Service and Delivery Performance
Coordinate with customer service and operations teams to meet customer delivery timelines.
Support the timely communication of delivery delays and revised arrival estimates.
Help resolve route-related complaints and transportation scheduling challenges.
Ensure route plans support reliable, safe, and consistent service delivery.
7. Safety and Regulatory Compliance
Ensure route plans consider road conditions, vehicle restrictions, driver working hours, and cargo handling requirements.
Promote compliance with applicable Ugandan traffic laws, road safety requirements, and company transport policies.
Identify potential route risks and recommend appropriate preventive measures.
Ensure route documentation and transport records are properly maintained.
8. Team Leadership and Continuous Improvement
Supervise and guide route planners, scheduling officers, and other assigned personnel.
Train team members on route-planning procedures, tracking systems, and performance monitoring.
Establish route-planning standards and improve operational workflows.
Collaborate with other departments to strengthen coordination and overall logistics performance.