Africa Logistics Lead

Zipline International Inc. is an American company that designs, manufactures, and operates delivery drones.

The Africa Logistics Lead role is a strategic position responsible for directing Zipline’s regional logistics and warehousing function across Africa. The Lead will oversee all aspects of freight, customs, and storage operations in multiple markets, acting as the primary liaison between Global Logistics, Materials Planning, and in-country operations.

Responsibilities (What You’ll Do)

Regional Leadership

• Lead the regional logistics and warehousing function for Africa, overseeing freight, customs, and storage operations across multiple markets.
• Serve as the primary link between Global Logistics, Materials Planning, and country operations to ensure alignment on inbound shipment plans, lead times, inventory levels, and execution priorities.
• Build and mentor a high-performing regional logistics and warehousing team, fostering capability and professional growth across in-country teams.

Freight, Transportation & Network Optimization

• Oversee inbound logistics from ports of entry to Zipline distribution centers and warehouses, managing timelines, routing, and carrier performance.
• Collaborate with US-based teams to identify and implement cost-effective routing strategies and carrier optimization opportunities.
• Develop and manage relationships with carriers, freight forwarders, and customs brokers to drive timely, compliant, and cost-efficient movement of goods.
• Establish regional standards and SOPs for inbound and domestic transport operations.

Warehousing Strategy & Inventory Management

• Own the strategy, design, and performance oversight of Zipline’s warehousing network across Africa, ensuring optimal capacity, layout efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
• Implement processes and tools to improve inventory accuracy, visibility, and turnover across all sites.
• Ensure warehouses operate with strong controls, safety standards, and continuous improvement practices.
• Evaluate and introduce new warehousing technologies, infrastructure, and automation opportunities as Zipline scales.

Customs & Trade Compliance

• Partner with local customs and regulatory authorities to enable pre-clearance, special permit approvals, and importation of Zipline hardware and materials in a compliant, high-integrity manner.
• Maintain deep, up-to-date knowledge of country-specific import/export laws and proactively guide internal teams on compliance requirements.
• Collaborate with Zipline’s Global Trade Compliance team to harmonize tariff codes, documentation, and classification standards.
• Ensure smooth, predictable, and low-cost importation and customs clearance processes across all Zipline markets while protecting the integrity of our operations.

Operational Excellence & Performance

• Define, monitor, and drive improvement against key logistics and warehousing KPIs, including on-time delivery, cost efficiency, customs clearance cycle time, inventory accuracy, and stock turn.
• Lead regional initiatives to improve logistics predictability, optimize costs, reduce lead times, and enhance reporting accuracy.
• Partner with Finance to forecast logistics and warehousing costs and identify opportunities for savings.

Qualifications and Experience (What You’ll Bring)

• Experience: 8+ years of experience in logistics, warehousing, or supply chain management, with at least 3 years in a leadership or regional role.
• Regional Expertise: Experience managing logistics operations across multiple African countries, with a strong understanding of customs clearance, import/export, and multi-modal transport.
• System Optimization: Proven success designing and optimizing warehouse networks and inventory systems to balance service levels and working capital efficiency.
• Vendor Management: Experience managing 3PLs, brokers, and carriers in complex and fast-paced environments.
• Attributes: Strategic thinker who can also execute, balancing long-term system design with day-to-day problem solving.
• Skills: Excellent organizational and analytical skills, with a track record of implementing measurable process improvements.
• Interpersonal: Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills; comfortable working across cultures, time zones, and functions.
• Education: BA/BSc/HND qualification.