Regional Logistics Manager (CFA) (Bhopal)

Role & responsibilities 1. C&F; Operations - Oversee day-to-day operations of C&F; agents across the region to ensure compliance with company SOPs. - Ensure inbound receipts, storage, dispatches, manpower deployment, and asset utilization are as per agreed SLAs. - Drive productivity, cost control, and operational discipline at all C&F; locations. - Review and finalize C&F; billing, validate claims, and ensure adherence to contractual terms. 2. Inventory Management & Controls - Maintain optimal inventory levels at C&Fs; and redistribution points aligned with sales forecasts and plant supply plans. - Monitor stock ageing, slow/non-moving inventory, damages, expiries, and obsolescence. - Ensure 100% inventory accuracy through cycle counts and periodic physical stock audits. - Investigate and close stock variances, shortages, and excesses with root cause analysis and corrective actions. 3. Order Management & Customer Service - Ensure order processing, allocation, and dispatch are executed within defined TATs. - Coordinate with Sales, Planning, and C&Fs; to manage order prioritization during peak demand. - Track order fill rate, OTIF (On-Time-In-Full), delivery adherence, and resolve customer complaints. - Drive service improvements through exception management and proactive communication. 4. Secondary Transportation & Freight Negotiation - Manage secondary freight operations from C&F; to distributors/retailers. - Lead transporter onboarding, lane finalization, and rate negotiations to optimize cost-to-serve. - Monitor freight adherence, vehicle placement, turnaround time, and delivery performance. - Control freight costs through route optimization, load consolidation, and productivity improvements. 5. Compliance, Audits & Governance - Ensure compliance with statutory, taxation, food safety, and internal control requirements. - Conduct regular audits of C&Fs;, transporters, and logistics processes. - Close audit observations within timelines and implements preventive controls. - Ensure adherence to company policies, safety norms, and risk management practices. 6. Supply Network Design & Optimization - Support regional supply network design including location, addition, consolidation, or rationalization of C&Fs; and redistribution points based on volume growth, service requirements, and cost-to-serve analysis. - Evaluate depot-to-market reach, delivery lead times, and freight economics to improve network efficiency and responsiveness. - Lead end-to-end onboarding of new C&F; agents, including site evaluation, commercial finalization, system readiness, and SOP deployment. - Assess infrastructure adequacy (warehouse space, handling equipment, manpower, IT systems, safety norms) before onboarding. - Ensure seamless transition during C&F; changeovers, including inventory handover, transporter alignment, and customer communication. - Train C&F; teams on company processes, compliance requirements, inventory controls, and service standards. - Periodically evaluate C&F; performance and capability; recommend continuation, expansion, or replacement based on SLA adherence and audit outcomes. 7. Performance Management & Reporting - Track and publish regional logistics KPIs including: - Inventory accuracy & DOH - OTIF / service level - Secondary freight cost per case - C&F; productivity & compliance - Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve service, cost, and control. Preferred candidate profile Education - Graduate in Commerce / Engineering / Logistics / Supply Chain - MBA / PG Diploma in Supply Chain (preferred) Experience - 815 years of experience in logistics / distribution operations within FMCG or beverage companies - Solid exposure to C&F; operations, secondary logistics, inventory controls, and audits - Prior experience handling high-volume, seasonal distribution environments is critical Key Skills & Competencies - Strong understanding of FMCG / Beverage distribution dynamics - Hands-on experience with WMS / ERP (SAP preferred) - Data-driven, detail-oriented, and operationally strong - Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills - Ability to manage multiple locations and pressure situations during peak season .