Cluster General Manager – Mozambique

Cluster General Manager – Mozambique

Location: Maputo, Mozambique
Regional Coverage: Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe & Zambia

The Opportunity
 
We are supporting a leading international shipping organisation in the appointment of an experienced Cluster General Manager to lead its operations across Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
 
Based in Maputo, this is a senior leadership position with responsibility for the operational, commercial and financial performance of the cluster. The successful candidate will take ownership of a complex, fast-paced operation and will need to be highly visible and hands-on, working closely with local teams, customers, ports, authorities and regional leadership.
 
While the position carries strategic responsibility, this is very much an operations-led General Manager role. We are therefore looking for an established shipping leader who understands the realities of vessel and cargo operations and can quickly take control of a busy regional operation.
 
Key Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day performance of shipping and agency operations across Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
• Take overall responsibility for the cluster’s operational, commercial and financial performance.
• Maintain full P&L and budget responsibility, driving profitability, cost control and sustainable growth.
• Oversee vessel and cargo operations, ensuring safe, efficient and reliable service delivery.
• Drive operational performance, container utilisation and agreed business targets.
• Work closely with country and branch teams, providing hands-on operational support where required.
• Lead and develop a senior management team across Finance, HR, Operations and regional branches.
• Build strong relationships with customers, port and terminal authorities, vendors, partners and other key stakeholders.
• Ensure local operations remain aligned with wider regional and global objectives while representing operational realities to senior stakeholders.
• Identify operational challenges and implement practical, commercially sound solutions.
• Manage working capital, cash flow, expenditure and overall financial performance.
• Ensure compliance with local legislation, labour requirements, governance frameworks and international shipping regulations.
• Develop a high-performing culture with clear accountability, strong communication and effective succession planning.

Candidate Profile
 
We are looking for an established General Manager or equivalent senior shipping leader who can step into the position and make an immediate impact.
 
You will ideally bring:

• At least 10 years’ experience within shipping or container, including significant leadership responsibility.
• Strong, hands-on shipping operations experience, with a thorough understanding of vessel operations, cargo operations, ports, terminals and container movements.
• Previous experience in a General Manager, Country Manager, Cluster Manager, Agency Head or comparable senior leadership role.
• Demonstrable P&L, budgeting and financial management responsibility.
• A combination of operational expertise and strong commercial awareness.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and senior direct reports.
• The confidence and technical credibility to challenge decisions where necessary and provide practical operational guidance to regional and global stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of port, terminal and equipment management.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and problem-solving skills.
• A hands-on leadership style and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving environment.
• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Logistics, Shipping or a related discipline would be advantageous.

Portuguese language capability is highly desirable, alongside strong English communication skills. Candidates with previous experience working within Mozambique or the wider Southern African shipping market would be particularly well suited.