Open To Work
Innocent Takudzwa Chikuni
Mutare,Zimbabwe
Summary
Strategic Transport, Logistics & Supply Chain Leader with 16 years of experience driving revenue growth and operational efficiency in Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Expertise in transforming logistics divisions into profitable units, executing successful operational turnarounds, and cultivating strong client relationships across transport, forestry, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors. Skilled in fleet management, cost optimization, and implementing systems that enhance profitability.
Overview
1
1
Certification
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Transport Manager
E. A Logistics Ltd
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
02.2025 - Current
- Grew monthly revenue from Tsh 350 million to 1.2 billion through structured business development.
- Secured new contracts and strengthened relationships with key stakeholders, driving business growth.
- Developed pricing models and margin-focused proposals that improved competitiveness and profitability.
- Implemented cost-saving measures and optimized resource allocation, significantly enhancing operational efficiency.
- Managed fuel inventory processes to prevent pilferage effectively.
- Ensured full compliance with TRA, TPA, LATRA and TANROADS.
- Transformed the transport & logistics division from an internal department into a standalone commercial company.
Co-owner & Chief Operations Officer
Brayden Incorporated
Mutare, Zimbabwe
03.2022 - Current
- Coordinating the day-to-day activities of the farm and the transport and logistics operations.
- Ensure an updated accurate maintenance/ repair log for all trucks, farm machinery and equipment is maintained.
- Maintaining a safety and emergency readiness among employees by disseminating information hazards related to chemicals, fires and machinery in order to enhance compliance with statutory requirements.
- Mentor all employees and field students on best operating practices so that all effort is directed at achieving all set targets.
- Ensure a proper crop rotation and continuous cycle is maintained.
- Coordinate all activities on outsourced resources mainly stock feed materials from surrounding community.
- Ensure proper truck routing and loading schedules are followed to enhance quick turnaround times and meeting client timelines.
- Ensure compliance to all regulatory authorities (Zimbabwe Revenue Authority-ZIMRA and related institutions).
Transportation Manager
CMTL Logistics
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
09.2023 - 02.2025
- Proactively identify new business opportunities to provide increased sales.
- Planning, costing and allocating routes and trucks ensuring sufficient flexibility is in place to meet the varying and changing needs of customers.
- Ensuring compliance to all regulatory authorities (Tanzania Revenue Authority-TRA; Tanzania Ports Authority-TPA) and related institutions.
- Sourced and managed market hire trucks to expand carrying capacity for allocated cargo (inbound & outbound).
- Planned, costed, and allocated routes and trucks to ensure flexibility in meeting varying customer needs.
- Prepared client quotations for new business and reviewed pricing for existing clientele.
- Conduct regular and timely performance appraisals and team meetings.
- Ensuring strong internal communication between all areas of the business.
- Proactively identify new business opportunities to provide increased sales.
Operations Manager
Bravo Logistics Tanzania Limited
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
07.2021 - 02.2022
- Directed day-to-day operations by spearheading implementation of short-term and long-term strategies to achieve business plan and profitability goals.
- Conducted performance reviews providing coaching and feedback to benefit both company and employee.
- Managed company Transport and Forestry Projects operations with responsibility for profit and loss, scheduling, training and inventory control.
- Implemented policies and standard operating procedures and managed quality, customer service and logistics.
- Planned daily operational strategies, including delivery routing, team workflows and promotional initiatives.
- Maintained safety and emergency readiness among personnel by disseminating information on and monitoring compliance with regulatory and organizational policies.
- Improved morale and management communication by creating employee recognition and rewards practices.
- Managed operations responsibly- achieved a net profit of USD 2.2 million for year ending December 2021.
Transport and Logistics Manager
Bravo Logistics Tanzania Limited
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
01.2020 - 06.2021
- Developed strong rapport through effective client needs assessment and commitment to top satisfaction levels.
- Relayed information between drivers and recipients regarding ETA and potential delays.
- Managed multiple small and large-scale projects in cross-functional environment.
Projects & Logistics Manager
Bravo Logistics Tanzania Limited
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
05.2019 - 01.2020
- Presented progress reports to client, highlighting ongoing progress milestones and communicating unforeseen obstacles.
- Tracked costs and expenses for analysis against original budget and compiled data into analytical reports for final review.
- Delivered high level of service to stakeholders in effort to extend partnerships for future project opportunities.
- Allocated resources related to staff, materials and budgetary allowances.
- Set up a Transportation project to carry pine saw logs (to the sawmill), peeler log (to various ply mills) and shipment of finished products (treated poles & treated sawn timber) to various local and regional destinations.
- Led planning, costing and allocating routes and vehicles ensuring sufficient flexibility is in place to meet the varying and changing needs of customers.
- Managed and developed a team of drivers and assistants, working remotely, for both the KVTC & Sao Hill projects, in order to deliver a high quality service.
- Ensured high standards of service delivery through the consistent application of recognized standards and established policies, procedures and practices.
Forestry Projects Coordinator
Bravo Logistics Tanzania Limited
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
04.2017 - 04.2019
- Set up a Transportation project of Tectona Grandis (Teak), encompassing log haulage and container shipment for Kilombero Valley Teak Company (KVTC).
- Managed the loading and transportation of teak saw logs from infield loading sites to the sawmill- achieving +95% of target consistently.
- Achieved +90% of container shipment targets from sawmill to Dar es Salaam Port, May 2017 - October 2018.
- Recorded the highest after tax & depreciation return of 54%- compared to other projects in the company for the period May 2017 to October 2018.
- Managed the fleet tracking system and ensured all records are updated timely for service and accounting purposes.
- Planned and conducted maintenance and repairs for trucks, minimizing breakdowns and service disruptions.
- Maintained a high level of efficiency and effectiveness on resources utilization to enhance high profit margins.
- Ensured the OHS Act and Safety procedures are adequately maintained according to company Policy.
Sawmill Manager
Allied Timbers Zimbabwe Limited
Chimanimani, Zimbabwe
07.2014 - 03.2017
- Ensured correct volumes of logs felled, skidded, and delivered to sawmill at least cost and right quality, achieving 90% of 18,000 m3 log supply consistently.
- Ensured the correct volumes of logs are felled, skidded and delivered to the sawmill at the least cost and at the right level of quality- achieving 90% of the 18,000 m3 log supply consistently.
- Produced timber volumes at right cost and quality, achieving above 87% performance consistently.
- Installed and successfully commissioned the new high technology DBS-8- 650 Maschinenbau, GmbH sawmill line [April 2014].
- Slashed new sawmill project costs by 5.2% saving in the process USD 65,000 through using internal technicians for installation and commissioning and internally training operators.
- Reduced waste removal cost in preparation of new mill installation by 40% [Budgeted USD45,000 and used USD 18,000] through use of community groups.
- Championed lean manufacturing and continuous improvement culture while providing operational leadership.
Production Manager
Allied Timbers Zimbabwe Limited
Chimanimani, Zimbabwe
06.2012 - 06.2014
- Managed materials to meet production goals and specific customer demands.
- Established and updated production schedules to meet changing demands.
- Reduced breakdown time by 12% through the implementation of machine Scheduled Maintenance plans- targeting a plant availability of 90%.
- Reviewed individual employee performance to correct issues and enhance productivity.
- Promoted employee safety awareness based on understanding of regulatory mandates and organizational best practices.
- Reviewed production orders, schedules, delivery dates and inventory levels to determine product availability.
- Monitored manufacturing variances to achieve quality improvement while resolving product process and equipment problems.
- Set up, adjusted and maintained machines to operate at peak levels and meet challenging demands.
- Oversaw continuous improvement initiatives in Lean environment to drive gains in quality, flow and output.
Production Superintendent
The Wattle Company Ltd
Juliasdale, Zimbabwe
02.2012 - 05.2012
- Provided leadership that resulted in positive operation and employee collaboration leading to a new record of log intake of 230m3 per 8hr shift using Frame Saws [compared to set target of 180m3].
- Ensured optimal quality and fiber recovery through process optimization and quality control resulting in the improvement of Wet mill recovery by 2.8% [from 48% to 50.8%].
- Ensured product quality met internal and external customer needs through the institution of ISO 9001: 2008 process procedures.
- Ensured product quality met internal and external customer needs through the institution of ISO 9001: 2008 process procedures.
- Developed and implemented process improvements that enhanced departmental quality and increased throughput.
- Monitored staff training and output to achieve compliance and meet productivity and revenue goals.
- Established and updated production schedules to meet changing demands.
- Ensure the correct volumes of timber are produced at the right cost and at the right level of Quality.
Divisional Quality Assurance Officer
The Wattle Company Ltd
Juliasdale, Zimbabwe
04.2006 - 01.2012
- Prepared quality documentation and reports by collecting, analysing and summarizing information and trends including failed processes, corrective actions, and re-validations.
- Achieved 100% rate on both internal [< 5] and external [0] customer complaints by training all employees on aspects and importance of quality in the value chain [2006-2008].
- Introduced and enforced ISO 9001: 2008 QMS procedures leading to the successful compliance and retention of the FSC certification status [2006- 2010].
- Improved gate to gate mill recovery by 3% (from 38% to 41%) by introducing and enforcing ISO process procedures and training all employees.
- Trained Quality Assurance Clerks and Production Supervisors in quality assurance methods and techniques onsite and remotely.
- Appraised customers' requirements and worked to maintain high satisfaction.
- Monitored QA procedures for adherence by employees, notifying personnel of non-compliance issues.
Drymill Manager
The Wattle Company Ltd
Juliasdale, Zimbabwe
12.2005 - 03.2006
- Maintained maintenance schedules for critical systems, logging repairs and inspections in Bollman & Tekma drying software to ensure operational reliability.
- Developed drying schedules that reduced drying defects to 4% from 13%.
- Reduced trimming losses by 2% through formulating and implementing a process control system for the Finger Jointing line.
- Safely managed operations in the wood energy technologies (steam generation & kiln drying) and Dry mill operations (including Finger jointing, planning) achieving zero fatality.
- Formulated and implemented a process control system for Finger Jointing line, reducing trimming losses by 2% and enhancing production efficiency.
Education
Bachelor of Technology - Wood Technology
Nelson Mandela University
George, South AfricaDiploma in Wood Technology -
SADC FITC
Mutare, ZimbabweSkills
- Logistics management
- Logistics coordination
- Route optimization
- Analytical
- Problem solving
- Critical thinking
- Conflict resolution
- Attentive to detail
Certification
- ISO 9001: 2008 QMS Lead Auditing
- ISO 9001:2008 QMS Development & Implementation
- Quality Assurance Part 1 & 2
- Fleet and Contract Management 3PLs- WFP
- Implementing & Auditing the International Cyanide Management Code- ICMI
Languages
- English
- Shona
- KiSwahili
Languages
English
Proficient
C2
Swahili
Proficient
C2
Shona
Beginner
A1
Work Preference
Job Search Status
Open to workWork Type
Full TimePart TimeContract WorkLocation Preference
On-SiteRemoteHybridSalary Range
$37000/yr - $144000/yrTimeline
Transport Manager
E. A Logistics Ltd
02.2025 - Current
Transportation Manager
CMTL Logistics
09.2023 - 02.2025
Co-owner & Chief Operations Officer
Brayden Incorporated
03.2022 - Current
Operations Manager
Bravo Logistics Tanzania Limited
07.2021 - 02.2022
Transport and Logistics Manager
Bravo Logistics Tanzania Limited
01.2020 - 06.2021
Projects & Logistics Manager
Bravo Logistics Tanzania Limited
05.2019 - 01.2020
Forestry Projects Coordinator
Bravo Logistics Tanzania Limited
04.2017 - 04.2019
Sawmill Manager
Allied Timbers Zimbabwe Limited
07.2014 - 03.2017
Production Manager
Allied Timbers Zimbabwe Limited
06.2012 - 06.2014
Production Superintendent
The Wattle Company Ltd
02.2012 - 05.2012
Divisional Quality Assurance Officer
The Wattle Company Ltd
04.2006 - 01.2012
Drymill Manager
The Wattle Company Ltd
12.2005 - 03.2006
Bachelor of Technology - Wood Technology
Nelson Mandela University
Diploma in Wood Technology -
SADC FITC