Manager Logistics Operations

Overview

Manage end-to-end warehousing and secondary transportation operations for the South Branch, ensuring efficient product storage and distribution, required customer service levels, optimized logistics cost and operational performance across a multi-state network spanning approximately 5–6 states.

What you'll do

• Manage warehouse/CFA operations across the assigned geography.
• Support the identification, evaluation and setup of warehouses/CFAs based on business volumes, network requirements, service expectations and cost.
• Optimize warehouse capacity, layout, throughput, manpower deployment and operational productivity.
• Work with CFA/3PL partners to drive day-to-day operational performance and cost efficiency.
• Ensure appropriate inventory handling, hygiene, GMP and applicable food/product safety standards.
• Maintain operational readiness for internal, statutory, quality and global audits.
• Ensure adherence to applicable licenses, including FSSAI, regulatory requirements and operating procedures.
• Manage secondary transportation from depots/warehouses to distributors and customers across the assigned geography, covering approximately 200 vehicles.
• Plan transportation capacity based on business volumes, demand patterns and service requirements.
• Manage multiple transporters/3PL partners and ensure fleet availability and deployment.
• Drive vehicle utilization, transporter performance, turnaround time and transportation efficiency.
• Optimize routes, loads and fleet deployment to improve productivity and control freight costs.
• Manage transportation disruptions and ensure continuity of customer service.
• Own and manage branch logistics costs, including warehouse rentals, CFA costs, manpower, freight and transporter payments.
• Balance service, capacity and cost while meeting customer requirements.
• Analyze logistics costs and operational KPIs to identify cost leakages, productivity opportunities and improvement areas.
• Partner with CFAs, transporters and 3PL providers on commercials, performance improvement and cost optimization.
• Lead and support logistics and warehousing projects, including network changes, new warehouse/CFA setups, transportation initiatives and operational transitions.
• Identify and implement solutions to improve warehouse productivity, transportation efficiency, service levels and logistics cost.
• Drive continuous improvement through process redesign, automation, digital tools, data and new ways of working.
• Evaluate emerging logistics practices and technologies for branch operations.
• Partner with central Supply Chain, Warehousing, Procurement and other teams on logistics transformation and productivity initiatives.
• Manage relationships with CFAs, transporters, 3PL partners and other logistics service providers.
• Support evaluation, onboarding and transition of new logistics partners.
• Partner with Sales, Supply Chain, Customer Service, Finance, Procurement, Quality and other internal stakeholders.
• Manage operational challenges across the multi-state network and ensure timely resolution while balancing service and cost.

What you'll need

• Experience across secondary transportation, warehousing and distribution operations.
• Strong understanding of secondary transportation and distribution logistics, preferably across a multi-location or regional network.
• Hands-on experience in transporter management, fleet planning, capacity management, vehicle deployment and transportation cost management.
• Good understanding of warehouse operations, including capacity, layout/design, manpower planning, throughput and productivity.
• Exposure to CFA/3PL operations and service-provider management.
• Understanding of warehouse compliance, GMP, audits and applicable statutory/regulatory requirements.
• Strong commercial orientation and ability to understand logistics cost drivers and operational KPIs.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, with demonstrated examples of driving operational improvements.
• Ability to manage projects and drive continuous improvement or innovation within logistics operations.
• Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving environment and respond quickly to operational disruptions.

Nice to have

• Experience within FMCG / Food & Beverages is strongly preferred.
• Experience in Consumer Goods, E-commerce, Quick Commerce, Modern Retail or other high-volume distribution-led businesses.
• Prior FMCG/food experience.
• Exposure to FSSAI/food safety requirements.
• MBA / PG Diploma in Supply Chain, Operations or Logistics.

Details

• Location: South Branch, Chennai.
• The logistics network spans approximately 5–6 states.
• Within-country relocation support is available.
• Job type: Regular.