Africa Global Logistics (AGL) is a leading multimodal logistics operator with a strong footprint across the African continent and selected global markets. Operating in ports, logistics, maritime, and rail, AGL delivers integrated logistics solutions designed to meet the complex needs of regional and international customers. The organization forms part of the MSC Group, one of the world’s most prominent maritime and logistics groups, further strengthening its global reach, operational capacity, and commitment to excellence.
With more than a century of experience in logistics and supply chain management, AGL has built extensive expertise across diverse industries, including energy, infrastructure, consumer goods, and industrial projects. The company employs over 23,000 people across 49 countries in Africa, alongside operations in Haiti and Timor. Through its tailored and innovative logistics services, AGL continues to play a significant role in supporting trade, economic growth, and sustainable development across its markets.
As part of its continued operational needs, AGL is seeking to fill the position of IFF Operation Supervisor – Petroleum Products. This role is based in Nairobi, Kenya, and is offered on a fixed-term contract under a full-time working arrangement. The position sits within the Freight Forwarding Operations function and focuses on overseeing operational performance related to petroleum products, ensuring service quality, compliance, cost control, and effective client management within a demanding logistics environment.
This advertisement provides a detailed overview of the position, including the scope of responsibilities, operational expectations, and reporting requirements, to support potential applicants in understanding the role in full.
Position Overview
Job Title: IFF Operation Supervisor – Petroleum Products (Readvertisement)
Function: Freight Forwarding Operations
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
Job Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Working Hours: Full Time
The IFF Operation Supervisor – Petroleum Products is responsible for supervising and coordinating freight forwarding operations related to petroleum and oil and gas consignments. The role requires close oversight of operational teams, proactive engagement with clients, strict adherence to standard operating procedures, and continuous monitoring of financial performance indicators such as gross margins, disbursements, and cost control.
The position involves acting as a central point between operational staff, management, and clients, ensuring that freight forwarding activities are executed efficiently, compliantly, and in line with agreed service standards. The supervisor is also expected to contribute to performance management, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives within the IFF unit.
Detailed Job Description
The responsibilities of the IFF Operation Supervisor – Petroleum Products are structured across several core operational areas, each of which is essential to the effective delivery of freight forwarding services in a petroleum-focused logistics environment.
- Team Management and Performance Oversight
A key responsibility of the role is the direct management and supervision of the IFF Operations team. This involves ensuring that all files, operational issues, and ongoing matters are transferred smoothly between team members and shifts to avoid disruptions or service delays.
The supervisor is responsible for setting clear goals and expectations for the team, particularly in relation to service quality, turnaround times, compliance, and client satisfaction. These goals are aligned with established key performance indicators, which are used to assess individual and team performance on an ongoing basis.
Regular performance assessments are conducted to measure results against these indicators. The supervisor plays an active role in identifying performance gaps, addressing operational inefficiencies, and supporting corrective actions where required. This includes providing guidance and operational support to team members facing complex or escalated cases.
The role also includes responsibility for conducting annual performance interviews with each IFF Operations staff member. These interviews cover a broad range of topics, including performance outcomes, skills development, training needs, productivity, and potential mobility opportunities within the organization. Through these discussions, the supervisor contributes to workforce development and operational continuity within the unit.
- Management of Operational Client Relationships
The IFF Operation Supervisor – Petroleum Products serves as a key interface between AGL and its clients for petroleum-related freight forwarding operations. This includes maintaining oversight of client consignments and ensuring that communication remains timely, accurate, and transparent throughout the logistics process.
In cases where operational issues arise, whether actual or anticipated, the supervisor is responsible for ensuring that clients are promptly alerted. These issues may include delays, documentation challenges, regulatory constraints, or any other factors that could impact service delivery. Such alerts are typically escalated to the supervisor by IFF operators and must be managed with appropriate urgency and professionalism.
The supervisor also ensures that clients are kept informed of the status of their consignments at all stages, from initiation through clearance, transportation, and final delivery. This ongoing follow-up supports service reliability and helps manage client expectations in a complex and regulated operating environment.
By overseeing client communication and issue resolution, the role contributes directly to maintaining service quality, protecting client relationships, and upholding the organization’s operational standards.
- Monitoring and Control of File Processing
Another central function of the role is the supervision of file processing activities within the IFF unit. The supervisor ensures that all standard operating procedures are applied consistently at each stage of the business process, from file opening through completion and archiving.
This includes monitoring documentation to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies. Given the regulatory sensitivity of petroleum and oil and gas logistics, particular attention is required to ensure that all permits, declarations, and approvals are handled correctly and in a timely manner.
The supervisor is responsible for allocating files to IFF operators based on workload, complexity, and operational priorities. In cases where operators encounter challenges or operational issues, the supervisor provides direct assistance, guidance, and escalation support as needed.
Before any operational process begins, the supervisor validates opened files to ensure that all required conditions are met. This includes reviewing client credit conditions and escalating files for additional validation when clients exceed agreed credit limits or present financial risks.
Ongoing support is provided not only to IFF operators but also to other staff members involved in the logistics process, ensuring that operational continuity is maintained across departments. The supervisor also ensures that completed files are regularly and properly archived in line with internal record-keeping requirements.
- Financial Performance and Margin Management
The IFF Operation Supervisor – Petroleum Products plays an important role in ensuring that operations are performed in accordance with anticipated gross margins and disbursement structures established at the quotation stage.
This involves monitoring operational execution to confirm that costs, charges, and service delivery remain aligned with approved quotations. Any deviations that may affect gross margin or financial performance are identified and addressed promptly.
The supervisor collaborates with relevant stakeholders to ensure that financial risks are managed effectively and that operational decisions support the unit’s financial objectives without compromising service quality or compliance.
- Cost Control and Budget Monitoring
Cost control within the IFF unit is a critical responsibility of the role. The supervisor monitors operational cost levels to ensure alignment with approved budgets and financial plans.
This includes tracking expenses associated with freight forwarding activities, identifying cost variances, and implementing corrective measures where necessary. By maintaining visibility over cost structures and operational efficiency, the supervisor supports the financial sustainability of the unit.
Regular cost monitoring also contributes to improved forecasting, pricing accuracy, and overall operational discipline within the freight forwarding function.
- Reporting, Escalation, and Management Communication
The IFF Operation Supervisor – Petroleum Products is responsible for maintaining clear and timely communication with management regarding operational performance and issues.
Significant operational issues that may impact service quality, invoicing accuracy, client relationships, or compliance are escalated to the immediate line manager without delay. This ensures that risks are addressed proactively and that appropriate decisions can be made at the management level.
The supervisor also informs management and the sales department of any quotations that do not comply with IFF operational goals, including concerns related to gross margin, turnover expectations, or operational feasibility. This feedback supports improved coordination between operations and commercial teams.
Issues identified during file processing are documented, analyzed, and addressed through corrective actions. Where necessary, the supervisor contributes to process improvement initiatives aimed at reducing recurrence and improving operational efficiency.
In addition, the role includes responsibility for preparing monthly key performance indicator reports. These reports provide structured insights into operational performance, service quality, financial outcomes, and workload trends. The reports are submitted to the Head of Department and support informed decision-making and performance monitoring at the departmental level.
Profile Requirements
The role of IFF Operation Supervisor – Petroleum Products requires a professional background aligned with clearing and forwarding operations within a logistics environment. The profile for this position includes the following elements:
The candidate should hold a diploma in clearing and forwarding.
The candidate should possess an East Africa Freight Forwarding practicing certificate.
The candidate should have at least three years of experience in clearing and forwarding within a busy logistics environment, with direct exposure to handling oil and gas or petroleum product clients.
These requirements reflect the technical, regulatory, and operational complexity of the role, particularly within the petroleum logistics sector.
Conclusion
The IFF Operation Supervisor – Petroleum Products position at Africa Global Logistics offers an opportunity to contribute to the supervision and coordination of specialized freight forwarding operations within a structured and internationally connected logistics organization. Based in Nairobi, the role focuses on team leadership, client relationship management, operational compliance, financial oversight, and performance reporting in the petroleum products segment.
The position is suited to professionals with hands-on experience in clearing and forwarding, particularly within oil and gas logistics, who are capable of managing operational teams and maintaining service standards in a demanding environment.
This advertisement is intended for publication on third-party job boards and provides a comprehensive overview of the role, responsibilities, and requirements to support informed applications.
