Site Development Manager - East Africa at DHL

Role Outline

• The Site Development Manager (SDM) is a strategic role responsible for enhancing the performance of existing operations across the region. The role drives structured operational transformation through the development and execution of Site Development Plans (SDPs), implementing key DHL Supply Chain Operations Excellence initiatives and programmes to deliver sustainable performance improvement while working closely with Site Management and Operational teams to ensure that each site development plan:
• Stabilises, develops, and grows site performance in a standardised and sustainable manner
• Implements Operations Excellence programmes, tools, and best practices in alignment with global DHL Supply Chain standards
• Supports functional leads and site teams in embedding continuous improvement, operational discipline, and customer-centricity

Key Accountabilities

• Support the creation of Site Development Plans (SDPs) by consolidating actions agreed with Site Management, General Management, Business Unit Directors, and Operations Excellence Leads
• Ensure SDPs align with DHL Supply Chain strategic initiatives and focus on maximising site performance through customer-centricity and continuous improvement
• Implement structured review governance (e.g., TDM meetings) with Site Management Teams to track progress, manage timelines, and ensure accountability
• Facilitate workshops and meetings to drive execution of SDP actions
• Identify and leverage best practices across the organisation, collaborating with Continuous Improvement (CI) and Logistics Engineering teams to develop and implement innovative solutions
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders (e.g., suppliers, regional and cluster functional teams) to support SDP delivery
• Support underperforming sites and start-ups (e.g., LPMC sites) by driving turnaround and performance improvement plans
• Ensure BASICS / "The DHL Way" standards are implemented and that operational gaps are identified and closed through the SDP
• Proactively identify, manage, and escalate risks and issues to Operations Excellence and Business Unit leadership
• Support customer renewals and contribute to new business opportunities within the region
• Support the Site Management Team by reviewing control reports and/or dashboards to identify inefficiencies in processes to make data driven decisions
• Ensure availability of control reports to check data quality across various systems e.g. Logics/EtQ/SmartRem
• Deliver continuous improvement plans across sites, ensuring effective execution and measurable impact
• Achieve defined cost-saving targets and operational efficiency improvements
• Lead and manage logistics engineers supporting assigned sites
• Develop and implement individual development and succession plans for team members
• Contribute to organisational capability building in Continuous Improvement, Digitalisation, and Engineering

OMS FC elements /SmartRem applications:

• Support the implementation and sustainability of OMS FC elements through structured governance (e.g. TDM meetings) and data-driven performance reviews
• Drive the implementation and optimisation of SmartReM tools to ensure delivery of expected operational benefits
• Review labour utilisation across direct and indirect activities, identifying productivity improvements and recommending alternative ways of working (e.g. flex models, shared resources, headcount optimisation)
• Improve equipment utilisation (e.g. MHE, scanners, printers) by reducing excess capacity, recommending alternative solutions, and supporting accelerated digitalisation initiatives
• Enhance resource planning and forecasting processes to balance workloads, reduce overtime, and optimise capacity through improved use of tools such as SmartPlan
• Ensure effective time and attendance processes are in place, with clear exception management and data-driven actions to reduce inefficiencies such as overtime
• Implement structured governance with Site Management Teams to control Gemba Walks and process confirmations, ensuring deviations are captured, work instructions are updated, and training is completed
• Review and optimise WMS/TMS utilisation and configurations to eliminate waste, improve productivity, and enhance operational performance

Continuous Improvement & Site Profitability:

• Conduct thorough reviews of contract conditions (service levels, liabilities, scope of work, pricing, indexation) to identify improvement opportunities and gaps
• Define and drive joint account plans and continuous improvement initiatives to help customers optimise overall supply chain costs while protecting DHL margins
• Develop initiatives to enhance coordination and integration between warehouse and transport operations
• Review and optimise supply chain network design (warehousing and transport), including location of cross docks and transhipment points, utilisation levels, and outsource vs insource decisions
• Monitor operational performance and highlight improvement opportunities, including reduction of idle space, lease costs, and optimisation of storage and inventory management
• Identify and address non-remunerated (out-of-scope) activities through detailed analysis, supporting tariff adjustments and customer alignment discussions

Customers:

• Support Site Management teams in developing robust renewal business cases by leveraging Site Development Plans to review, improve, and sustain all aspects of the operation (customers, growth, people, structure, real estate, and IT)
• Support customer renewals and contribute to new business opportunities within the area of responsibility
• Participate in customer engagements to promote DHL Supply Chain’s continuous improvement strategy and provide updates on performance and progress

Implementations / Audits:

• Provide operational support to the Project Delivery team during new start-ups and renewal transitions, applying SIP and O2D methodologies
• Support site changes and transformation projects, including racking, systems, and process enhancements
• Assist Site Management Teams with audit preparation and execution for both internal and external audits
• Conduct detailed back-check analyses to identify variances between commercial assumptions and actual operational performance (e.g. volumes, processes, tariff lines)
• Ensure site teams are equipped with the knowledge and capability to support Business Development teams during tender processes

Health & Safety/Quality/Environmental/Facility/Security and BCM functions:

• Implement controls to ensure site operations maintain all required certifications (legal, client, and corporate requirements)
• Establish structured governance (e.g. TDM meetings) with Site Management Teams to monitor Gemba Walks and process confirmations across HSE, Quality, Environmental, BCM, and Facility Management processes, ensuring deviations are addressed and standards are sustained
• Ensure site teams understand and manage supplier SLAs, lease agreements, and preventative maintenance plans within Facility Management
• Support site decarbonisation and environmental initiatives to reduce energy costs and achieve ISO certification and carbon neutrality targets
• Analyse outsourced service costs (e.g. security, cleaning, pest control, waste management) and identify opportunities for cost optimisation in collaboration with procurement teams

Environment/Decarbonisation – Warehouse and Transport:

• Support EMS audit certification and readiness in line with ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 standards
• Conduct validation checks to ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of environmental and decarbonisation data across relevant systems (e.g. LOGICS, Florian, OEPM, Global Data Quality Dashboards)
• Support energy and CO₂ reduction initiatives, including fuel alternatives, MHE optimisation, battery efficiency, and zero-to-landfill programmes, while staying informed of new innovations
• Support Africa HSE Leadership and East Africa Directors in closing escalations, mitigating risks, and addressing delays or resourcing gaps

Transport:

• Improve transport efficiency through enhanced driver productivity, driving hours management, route profitability, and optimisation of lane and truck utilisation
• Identify gaps in transport planning and support the implementation of improvement initiatives
• Identify opportunities to reduce own fleet costs, including fuel, maintenance, leasing, and asset utilisation
• Support initiatives to reduce waiting times at delivery and collection points
• Benchmark subcontractor operating rates against market standards and drive cost reductions through re-negotiation or tender processes in collaboration with procurement
• Implement controls to ensure accurate recording and allocation of transport movements and revenue, separate from other service lines
• Review subcontractor contracts and ensure compliance with agreed standards and legal requirements

Qualifications & Experience

Education/Certifications

• ISO Auditor Certification – preferred
• OMS4Implementers Certification – preferred
• CSCS Foundation Certified
• CSCM Certified
• Operations Essentials Certified
• Leadership Essentials Certified
• Certified GoGreen Specialist

Experience

• Experience using engineering or analytical tools (e.g. value stream mapping, work study methodologies)
• Experience in lean methodologies and continuous improvement practices
• Experience in change management
• Experience in performance management
• Project management experience 
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills, including within matrix and dotted-line structures
• Experience managing people and working in matrix organisations 
• Experience in a manufacturing environment 
• Proven track record of leveraging global best practices and sharing local best practices across regional or global teams
• Experience working across multiple countries or clusters 
• Experience across different operations within the same country 
• Exposure to diverse cultures and working environments 

Other Requirements

• Dynamic and goal-oriented approach
• Proactive and self-driven way of working
• Strong coaching capability
• Strong presentation skills, with the ability to share best practices across broader audiences (face-to-face and virtual)
• Training and facilitation skills
• Strong commercial and financial acumen
• Solid understanding of DHL Supply Chain operating standards (e.g. BASICS, Merlin, OMS FC, First Choice, Behavioural Based Safety, GoGreen)

DPDHL Core Competencies & Skills

• Maintains effective relationships with customers
• Develops / Delivers high quality / innovative products, services or solutions
• Focuses on customer needs and gains their commitment
• Gains management / colleague support to meet customer needs
• Ensures strategies / plans are aligned and reflect others’ views
• Develops strategies / plans aligned to broader organizational strategy
• Communicates strategy
• Establishes clear, challenging, and achievable objectives
• Coordinates efforts and aligns resources to achieve objectives
• Regularly reviews and communicates progress against objectives and adjusts as needed
• Champions continuous improvement and innovation
• Provides candid / regular feedback
• Supports the development of others
• Inspires others to develop themselves
• Conveys a clear sense of personal goals and values
• Actively seeks feedback to improve performance
• Develops new skills and modifies behaviours based on feedback
• Takes personal responsibility for career and development