Overview:

Manage and oversee all Musina branch operations, including Groblersbrug, Komatipoort and relevant Johannesburg-linked functions.

The Branch Manager is responsible for customs clearing, bonded warehouse control, SARS compliance, operations, financial management, budgets, customer service, reporting and people performance.

The role oversees key commodities and projects including Steel Imports, Tobacco, Metals & Minerals, Mining & Engineering, Agriculture, General Cargo and bonded cargo, while ensuring compliance with SARS legislation, internal SOPs, company policies and Customs & Excise requirements.

List of Key Result Areas:

Branch and Sub-Branch Operations Management

Manage daily operations across Musina, Groblersbrug, Komatipoort and Johannesburg-linked functions.
Ensure import, export, transit, bonded warehouse and border activities meet client, company and statutory requirements.
Provide direction and escalation support to the Operations Manager and operational teams.
Coordinate daily border activities, customs stops, inspections, SARS detentions, urgent releases and after-hours requirements.
Monitor workload, turnaround times, service delivery, productivity and operational risks.
Resolve operational issues to minimise financial, compliance and reputational risk.

Market intelligence & Competitive Analysis

Own market intelligence on the corridor, including competitor pricing, cargo volumes, infrastructure developments, port congestion, and customer expansion plans.
Use intelligence to proactively position Steinweg and secure capacity ahead of demand.
Ensure that Steinweg is aware of market changes months before they impact operations.

Financial Management, Budgets and Cost Control

Achieve annual budgets for the branch and sub-branches.
Control costs and ensure expenditure remains within approved limits.
Monitor budgets, cash flow and financial requirements to support business sustainability.
Manage debtors and ensure effective follow-up and escalation.
Ensure statutory obligations are accurate and submitted on time.
Approve and validate supplier expenditure within delegated authority.
Ensure effective use of business IT systems.
Identify and challenge incorrect charges including demurrage, storage, standing time, penalties and operational delay costs.

Commercial and Customer Relationship Management

Retain key customers through strong service delivery and relationship management.
Support customer growth through local commercial strategies and activities.
Identify additional services and value-added opportunities.
Support costing, quoting and commercial reviews.
Maintain professional customer relationships and resolve operational and customs issues quickly.
Protect customer relationships while maintaining customs, financial and company risk controls.

Administrative Reporting and Business Planning

Ensure accurate and timely submission of weekly, monthly and quarterly reports.
Plan resources effectively for peak periods and employee leave.
Oversee invoicing, unbilled files, debtors, creditors, cash flow inputs and management reporting.
Provide management visibility on operational performance, financial exposure, SARS risks and corrective actions.
Maintain trackers for detentions, provisional payments, bond exposure, releases, acquittals and unresolved issues.
Keep files, registers and supporting documentation complete and audit-ready.

Customs Compliance and SARS Risk Management

Ensure compliance with Customs and Excise, VAT, SARS procedures, RLA requirements and company policies.
Ensure customs procedures remain current and are consistently followed.
Do not process customs clearances without written instructions and supporting documentation.
Manage high-risk SARS matters including stops, detentions, provisional payments, VOCs, tariff, origin, CPC and bond-related issues.
Identify and escalate customs risks relating to valuation, classification, importer/exporter codes and warehouse liability.
Liaise with SARS, BMA, clients, Compliance and Legal where required.
Ensure SARS correspondence and representations are accurate, supported and audit-ready.
Monitor duty and VAT deferment facilities and related exposure.
Maintain applicable SARS registrations, licences and renewals.
Oversee customs representations, mitigation applications and prescribed forms.
Ensure excise obligations and returns are accurately managed where applicable.
Monitor customs compliance of third-party service providers.

Customs Clearance and Documentation Control

Oversee customs clearances through SARS, EasyClear and operational systems.
Ensure all supporting documentation is complete and checked before submission.
Verify clearing instructions, invoices, packing lists, permits, certificates and transport documentation.
Identify tariff, CPC, valuation, origin and importer/exporter risks before declarations are submitted.
Maintain controlled handling of sensitive documents.
Review draft and final entries where required to reduce errors and VOC exposure.
Maintain clear audit trails for high-risk customs matters.
Ensure accurate and timely EDI submissions and escalation of system failures.
Oversee tariff determinations, refunds, drawbacks and adjustments.
Manage permit and regulatory approval requirements.
Ensure amendments and substitutions are properly authorised and traceable.
Oversee destruction applications where required.
Prioritise financially sensitive clearances such as CBO transactions.

Steel Import Projects and High-Risk Commodity Oversight

Oversee high-risk and project cargo including Steel Imports, Rebars, Billets, Pig Iron, Wire Rod, Tobacco, Copper, Metals & Minerals, Agriculture and bonded cargo.
Ensure project documentation is controlled and complete before clearance.
Ensure programme SOPs and customer-specific procedures are followed.
Monitor tariff, origin, valuation, bond and importer/exporter risks.
Track project cargo from pre-alert through clearance, release, warehousing, export or acquittal.
Ensure high-risk instructions are provided in writing.
Escalate and control cargo swaps, ownership changes, CPC changes, SADC issues and warehouse movements.

Bonded Warehouse, Bond Book and Acquittal Control

Oversee bonded warehouse movements, bond books and acquittal controls.
Ensure warehouse entries and removals are supported by the correct documentation.
Monitor bond exposure, open entries, dwell times and potential SARS risks.
Maintain accurate bond registers, schedules and reconciliations.
Ensure all acquittal evidence is obtained, followed up and filed.
Keep bond and acquittal documentation audit-ready and accessible on approved systems.
Support SARS and internal audits with complete document packs.
Report outstanding acquittals weekly, including ageing and escalation status.
Ensure required acquittals are submitted to SARS and followed through to final closure.

Quality Management, ISO and Process Compliance

Ensure adherence to Quality Management and ISO requirements.
Develop, communicate and maintain effective SOPs.
Monitor internal errors, VOCs, documentation failures, invoicing delays and operational non-conformances.
Investigate recurring errors and implement corrective and preventative actions.
Promote accurate processing, recordkeeping and internal controls.
Reduce errors, financial losses and customs exposure.
Conduct periodic customs file audits in line with QMS/ISO 9001 and ensure findings are closed out.

People and Human Resources / Team Performance

Maintain effective organisational structures, balanced workloads and clear accountability.
Ensure employees have current Job Descriptions and documented performance reviews.
Support employee development, career planning and succession planning.
Promote a positive and collaborative culture.
Ensure compliance with employment policies and legislation.
Manage performance, leave, overtime, workload distribution and discipline.
Provide leadership and coaching to operational, customs, admin, accounts and support teams.
Ensure customs employees receive ongoing training on procedures, systems, classification and SARS requirements.

Stakeholder Management and Query Resolution

Build and manage strong internal and external stakeholder relationships.
Maintain professional relationships with SARS, BMA, clients, transporters, suppliers, Compliance and Legal.
Support customer retention through reliable service and communication.
Resolve customer, customs, transporter, documentation and operational queries.
Ensure communications are factual, professional and aligned with company risk controls.
Keep clients and internal stakeholders informed of urgent matters, delays and required actions.

Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement

Support operational innovation and improvement initiatives.
Identify opportunities for improved processes, controls, cost savings and customer service.
Implement corrective actions to improve efficiency and compliance.
Drive continuous improvement across customs, reporting, invoicing, documentation and bond control.
Encourage employees to identify risks, improve processes and take ownership.

Other Responsibilities

Represent the company professionally.
Maintain confidentiality of customs, client, financial, legal and employee information.
Work overtime, weekends or after-hours when operationally required.
Travel when required for operational, customer, SARS or management matters.
Provide expert advice to clients and operational teams.
Perform other reasonable duties assigned by management.

Requirements

Education

Matric / Grade 12.
Relevant qualification in customs, freight forwarding, logistics or management.

Experience

Minimum 8–10 years’ experience in customs clearing, freight forwarding, logistics or border operations.
Strong customs documentation and procedural experience.
Branch, operational and people management experience.
In-depth Customs & Excise, VAT, SARS and import/export knowledge.
Knowledge of tariff classification, valuation, origin, CPC and BELN.
Bonded warehouse, bond book and acquittal experience.
Financial management, budgeting, debtors, creditors, cashflow and cost control exposure.
Commercial and customer relationship management experience.
Project cargo and high-risk commodity coordination experience.
Experience working within controlled SOP and audit-ready environments.

Technical Skills

High computer literacy.
Strong customs, logistics and border operations knowledge.
People and performance management.
Financial management, budgeting and reporting.
Commercial and customer relationship management.
Advanced Excel and management reporting.
SARS/BMA and stakeholder engagement.
Document control, SOP development and audit readiness.
Bonded warehouse, bond book and acquittal knowledge.
Excellent written and verbal communication.

Join Steinweg to ensure our services exceed client expectations. Apply now to become part of our dynamic team!

Interested?

Please send your CV to recruitment@za.steinweg.com

Branch Manager – Musina