JOB DESCRIPTION
Assistant Import Manager
Based in Kampala, Uganda · Reports to the Import Manager
Role Overview
The company is a road-transport and freight-forwarding business operating across Uganda and the DRC.
The Assistant Import Manager supports the Import Manager in running the company’s inbound flows on the Kampala–DRC routes — to Kisangani (~20 containers/month) and Beni (~50 containers/month) — and, in addition, monitors the Mombasa–Kampala corridor that feeds them. The role is the day-to-day eyes on every shipment: where each truck is, where each container sits, which documents are pending and what is holding a border crossing. This is a hands-on, Kampala-based role, ideally for a Ugandan national who understands logistics and the Mombasa/Kampala–DRC corridor.
Key Responsibilities
- Shipment & truck tracking
- Kampala–DRC routes: follow every truck from Kampala to final delivery in Kisangani and Beni.
- Mombasa–Kampala corridor (in addition): also monitor containers and trucks from Mombasa port through Kenya (Malaba/Busia border) to Kampala — loading, transit times, stops and arrival at the Ugandan ICDs.
- Truck positions: monitor the live position of company-owned and subcontracted trucks on the GPS tracking platform several times a day; flag stops, deviations and delays.
- Daily position report: maintain the daily fleet/shipment position report (truck, container, location, status, ETA) and share it with the Import Manager and operations.
- Client & internal updates: keep clients and internal teams informed of status and ETA changes, under the Import Manager’s direction.
- Border crossings
- Follow-up: track every truck through the Uganda–DRC border points used on the Kisangani and Beni routes (e.g. Mpondwe/Kasindi, Goli/Mahagi) from arrival to release on the DRC side.
- Liaison: stay in contact with drivers, clearing agents and border staff to get each crossing done as fast as possible.
- Escalation: escalating queues, holds or missing documents to the Import Manager early, with a proposed fix.
- Documentation
- Document files: prepare, check and file import and transit documents per shipment (bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, transit/customs declarations, DRC import documents).
- Completeness checks: confirm documents are complete and consistent before trucks leave, to avoid holds at ICDs and borders.
- Clearing agents: follow up clearing agents on pending entries, releases and delivery orders.
- ICDs & container handling
- ICD follow-up: track containers at ICDs and depots (Mombasa, Nairobi and Kampala-area ICDs) arrival, customs status, release, loading and gate-out.
- Storage & demurrage: monitor free days, storage and demurrage dates; alert the Import Manager before charges start.
- Empty returns: follow up the return of empty containers to the designated depots and keep the interchange records.
- Reporting & administrative support
- Subcontractor checks: gather proof of delivery and trip evidence so the Import Manager can validate subcontractors work before invoices go to Finance.
- Records: keep trackers, files and the shipment database up to date and accurate.
- Back-up: stand in for the Import Manager on routine follow-up when they are travelling or unavailable.
- Candidate Profile
- Ugandan national, Kampala-based, with a solid understanding of logistics and freight forwarding.
- Working knowledge of the Mombasa–Kampala and Uganda–DRC corridors, border crossing procedures, ICD operations and import/transit documentation.
- 1–3 years of experience in import, transit, clearing or transport operations.Comfortable with GPS truck-tracking platforms, Excel and daily reporting.
- Organized, detail-oriented and proactive; able to follow many shipments at once and chase until things move.
- Good communicator by phone and on the ground with drivers, agents and border staff.
- English required; Swahili and/or French an asset for the DRC side.
- Integrity in handling documents and supplier relationships.
- Reporting & Location
- Reports to the Import Manager.
- Based in: Kampala, with occasional travel to ICDs, border points and bases as needed.
Interested and qualified applicants should submit their applications through the link below:
Note: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
