Chief Operating Officer – SFC India

⏰ Hours: 40 hours/week.
⚓ Location: Delhi, India (required).
⌛ Starting date: October/November 2024.

Are you passionate about driving climate action and making a tangible impact on the freight industry? Smart Freight Centre is looking for a Chief Operating Officer to provide operational leadership for SFC India. This role involves working with public and private institutions, including some of the largest supply chain actors, civil society organizations, and academia in India, to drive initiatives toward the decarbonization of logistics in India. To achieve our mission, we need highly skilled and motivated individuals to support our SFC India team in close alignment with Smart Freight Centre Global.

✈️ About Smart Freight Centre:

Smart Freight Centre (SFC) is a global non-profit organization focused on climate action in the freight sector. We enable collaborative efforts to reduce logistics greenhouse gas emissions by creating a unified methodology for tracking freight emissions. SFC brings together multinationals, forwarders, carriers, NGOs, and governments through initiatives, training, and programs to solve business challenges and set industry standards. Our goal is to reduce GHG emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030 and reach zero emissions by 2050 or earlier.

✏️ About the Position:

SFC launched the Green Freight Program in India in early 2023, partnering with industry stakeholders and government, including ministries and agencies, to promote fuel efficiency and reduce emissions from logistics operations, including the electrification of commercial vehicles.

We have already secured partners and started the baseline assessment of freight emissions in urban and long-haul mobility. We aim to expand the program and establish a local office in India. The role focuses on leading all operational matters, including finance, HR, legal, facilities management, secretarial duties, compliance, etc., for Smart Freight's Indian Green Freight Program. It will also require engagement with external partners from time to time to support the CEO of the India program.

This position offers the opportunity to work with some of the world's largest public-facing companies. The SFC India COO will collaborate internationally, working closely with Smart Freight Centre CEO Christoph Wolff, the SFC Technical and Business Development teams, and global operations.

As Chief Operating Officer (COO), you will play a crucial role in ensuring smooth operations and supporting the CEO of the India program in strategic planning and effective networking with key stakeholders.

⭐ Your key responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Management

• Operational Oversight: Oversee daily operations, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness.
• Strategic Planning: Support the SFC India CEO in developing and implementing strategic plans to achieve the organization's mission and goals, focusing on logistical solutions that meet the needs of the communities served.
• Financial Management: Oversee budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation to ensure sustainability and optimal use of funds.

Networking and Relationship Management

• Stakeholder Engagement: Support the SFC India CEO in building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, including government ministries, local authorities, donors, and other non-profit organizations.
• Government and Ministry Liaison: Liaison with government officials and ministries in support of the SFC India CEO, leveraging contacts to facilitate partnerships, secure funding, and influence policy.
• Community Relations: Engage with community leaders and beneficiaries to understand their needs and ensure that the organization's services align with those needs.

Operational Excellence

• Process Establishment and Improvement: Establish and continuously evaluate and improve operational processes to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and increase impact.
• Quality Assurance: Implement quality assurance and control measures to maintain high standards in logistics operations.
• Risk Management: Identify and mitigate risks associated with operations, including compliance, safety, and security.

Leadership and Team Development

• Team Leadership: Support the CEO in leading and mentoring a team of professionals, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
• Talent Development: Implement training and development programs to build the capacity of employees.
• Performance Management: Establish performance metrics and conduct regular evaluations to ensure team members meet organizational objectives.

Advocacy and Representation

• Advocacy: Advocate for the organization's mission and objectives at public forums, conferences, and meetings with government officials, supporting the CEO and SFC India team.
• Public Relations: Represent the organization in media and public engagements to raise awareness and promote its initiatives.
• Policy Influence: Support the CEO in working with policymakers to influence legislation and regulations that support the organization's goals and improve logistics infrastructure.

Compliance and Reporting

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and standards, particularly those related to logistics and non-profit operations.
• Reporting: Oversee the preparation and submission of regular reports to the board, donors, and regulatory bodies, ensuring transparency and accountability.