Africa Logistics Lead

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire; Accra, Ghana; Kigali, Rwanda; Lagos, Nigeria; Nairobi, Kenya

About You and The Role

Zipline’s logistics network across Africa powers the movement of millions of products each year. The strength, agility, and efficiency of our logistics systems directly determine our ability to deliver impact at scale. We are looking for a continental Logistics Lead to own the end-to-end flow of goods from Zipline’s U.S. manufacturing hub and global suppliers to our distribution centers and warehouses across the continent. This role will oversee regional logistics strategy and execution, including inbound freight, customs compliance, domestic transport, and warehousing. You will collaborate closely with our global Logistics and Materials Planning teams and with country operations to optimize routing, minimize costs, and ensure that Zipline is able to operate smoothly, efficiently, and compliantly in all countries.  This is a high-impact, cross-functional leadership role for someone who thrives in complex environments, loves building scalable systems, and is motivated by enabling transformative services.

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.

What You’ll Bring

• 8+ years of experience in logistics, warehousing, or supply chain management, with at least 3 years in a leadership or regional role.
• Experience managing logistics operations across multiple African countries, with strong understanding of customs clearance, import/export, and multi-modal transport.
• Proven success designing and optimizing warehouse networks and inventory systems to balance service levels and working capital efficiency.
• Experience managing 3PLs, brokers, and carriers in complex and fast-paced environments.
• Strategic thinker who can also execute, balancing long-term system design with day-to-day problem solving.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills, with a track record of implementing measurable process improvements.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills; comfortable working across cultures, time zones, and functions.
• Demonstrates the grit, resourcefulness, and resilience to thrive in novel, uncertain and constantly-changing business and regulatory environments while remaining compliant with U.S. legal and ethics obligations.
• Fluency in English required; proficiency in French or another regional language is a plus.
• Willingness to travel across Africa and internationally as needed.

What Else You Need to Know

This role is based in one of Zipline’s Africa operations hubs or regional offices, with regular travel across the region as required.

Zipline is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion or religious creed, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship, or other characteristics protected by state, federal or local law or our other policies.

We value diversity at Zipline and welcome applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in tech. If you like the sound of this position but are not sure if you are the perfect fit, please apply!