John Kweku Baiden

A highly accomplished and results-driven Supply Chain and Logistics professional with over 12 years of progressive experience spanning freight forwarding, customs brokerage, international trade, warehousing, and distribution management across West Africa. Proven track record of spearheading end-to-end supply chain operations for multinational corporations including Volkswagen and OMA Group, delivering cost efficiencies, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence. Adept at leveraging data analytics for demand forecasting, leading cross-functional teams, negotiating contracts with ocean carriers and vendors, and managing complex multi-modal freight programmes.

A strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen, an entrepreneurial mindset, and demonstrated expertise in Ghana's customs ecosystem and international trade lanes.

Regional Supply Chain Manager - Volkswagen (West Africa) - West Africa

(2020-06)

Lead and manage the full spectrum of supply chain and logistics operations for Volkswagen Ghana and its dealership network across the West Africa region. Serve as the primary interface between regional warehouse teams, clearing agents, ocean carriers, and internal departments to ensure seamless vehicle and spare parts distribution.

• Provide strategic leadership for the regional supply chain, defining long-term logistics direction, capacity and network expansion plans, and investment recommendations for warehousing, distribution infrastructure, and digitalisation initiatives.
• Coordinate all supply chain activities including multimodal transportation, warehousing, and inventory management across multiple West African markets.
• Conduct detailed cost-to-import, export, and distribution analyses for vehicles and spare parts, identifying and delivering measurable cost savings for the business.
• Deploy data analytics tools to forecast inventory demand, monitor product performance, and proactively identify areas for operational improvement.
• Track and coordinate receipt of vehicles and spare parts with regional warehouse teams, ensuring accurate and timely distribution to dealership warehouses across the West Africa region.
• Monitor and control operational budgetary allocations, ensuring expenditure remains within agreed parameters while supporting business objectives.
• Manage multiple lines of communication among clearing agents, ocean carriers, and internal departments to facilitate efficient cargo execution and on-time delivery.
• Negotiate contracts and service level agreements with suppliers, vendors, contractors, ocean carriers, and shipping agents to secure competitive rates and service standards.
• Lead periodic stock counts and coordinate stock reconciliation exercises with the Finance Department to ensure accurate and auditable inventory reporting.
• Process regional spare part orders and arrange freight, ensuring timely deliveries aligned with dealership operational needs.
• Manage, mentor, and train a team of logistics staff, fostering a performance-driven culture and building organisational capacity.
• Ensure full compliance with applicable customs regulations, trade policies, and internal operational procedures.
• Hold commercial and financial accountability for the regional logistics cost centre, driving revenue protection and cost optimisation through tariff strategy, freight rate benchmarking, and periodic financial reporting to regional management.
• Manage regulatory and stakeholder relations with port authorities (GPHA), Ghana Revenue Authority (Customs Division), terminal operators, shipping lines, and industry bodies including the Ghana Shippers' Authority.
• Champion HSSE (Health, Safety, Security & Environment) compliance across warehousing and transport operations, including safe handling and documentation of dangerous goods (IMO Class 9 lithium battery cargo).
• Lead crisis and risk management for supply chain disruptions — including vessel schedule and alternative routing to safeguard delivery commitments.

Manager, Logistics and Commercial Coordinator – Import & Export - Oil and Marine Agency – OMA Group - Ghana

(2017-05 - 2020-05)

Managed end-to-end logistics operations for a dynamic Oil & Gas and Marine logistics company, with responsibility for import and export coordination, warehouse management, and client relationship management.

• Managed, evaluated, and reported on day-to-day warehouse operations, ensuring adherence to safety, quality, and efficiency standards.
• Tracked and coordinated the receipt, storage, and timely delivery of goods and materials, maintaining accurate inventory records and minimising shrinkage.
• Collaborated with suppliers, freight service providers, and customers to deliver best-in-class service at competitive costs, strengthening client retention.
• Coordinated ocean export shipments from suppliers' facilities to port terminals, managing all customs formalities and documentation requirements.
• Monitored and enforced client KPIs to prevent detention, demurrage, and unnecessary storage charges, directly protecting client P&L.
• Arranged trucking for empty container pick-ups upon booking confirmation from ocean carriers, optimising container turnaround time.
• Served as Supply Chain and Key Coordinator for Yinson Production (OMA Ghana Limited), managing a major Oil & Gas supply chain account from October 2017 to April 2020.

Logistics and Operations Officer - Bolloré Transport and Logistics - West Africa

(2014-09 - 2017-04)

Supported multi-client logistics and customs operations for one of West Africa's leading freight forwarding and logistics groups, gaining foundational expertise in customs administration, cargo distribution planning, and client project coordination.

• Assisted clients in processing customs tax exemption certificates, ensuring compliance with Ghana Revenue Authority requirements and reducing client duty liability.
• Developed budgetary requirements for cargo distribution and warehousing operations, contributing to accurate cost management and commercial proposals.
• Planned and monitored delivery routes to optimise transportation efficiency and meet client delivery commitments.
• Served as Freight and Key Account Coordinator for the flagship 'Karpower' Project (January 2015 – March 2017), managing freight arrangements for a major energy infrastructure project.
• Acted as Client Coordinator for the Group Five Power Project (January 2015 – March 2017), liaising between the client, carriers, and internal operations teams to ensure seamless project cargo execution.

BSc.

• Ports and Shipping Administration - Regional Maritime University (2010-08 - 2014-06)

Diploma - Clearing, Forwarding and Shipping Management - Association of Business Managers and Administrators (ABMA) (2007-09 - 2009-12)

Certificate - HSSE Coordinating Officer Certificate - GAC Corporate Academy (Distance Learning) (2019-01 - 2019-05)