PDA Manager

Job Title
PDA Manager – OPS
Function
Operations
Reports To
Regional Last Mile capacity building
Location
Regional Operations
Travel Required
25% ☐ 50% þ 75% ☐
About DHL Blue Dart Express India:
Blue Dart Express Limited, a listed company, is a leader in courier, integrated air express package distribution, and eCommerce in South Asia, offering a wide range of logistics solutions. Founded in 1983, it is recognised for reliable, time-bound, and secure delivery services across 55,000+ locations in India as well as internationally. Its competencies span across evaluation and contracting, planning and transition, delivery and execution, and specific service capabilities. We pride ourselves on innovation, digitalization, service excellence, and creating long-term partnerships with our clients, enabling businesses to thrive in the fast-paced logistics environment and ever-evolving supply-chains. It wholly-owns India’s only scheduled air cargo airline, Blue Dart Aviation Limited, since May 1994, and the Concorde Air Logistics Limited, a transport, storage, and communications business, since May 2004.
Blue Dart Express Limited is a part of the DHL Group's DHL eCommerce division, leveraging this global logistics leader’s network across 220 countries and territories to provide comprehensive express and logistics solutions to our clients. Our robust network and unmatched infrastructure have positioned the Blue Dart brand as a key India-grown logistics player with an unmatched and phenomenal global outreach rooted in the DHL brand of its majority shareholder.
We are proud to be consistently ranked among India’s Top 100 Great Places to Work, combining it with DHL Group’s Top Employer certification. Being an Employer of Choice is not just a goal; it’s a fundamental part of who we are, committed to creating a workplace where people are valued, empowered, and wear the sobriquet “Blue Darter” with honour.
If you are looking to join a purpose-led, people-first, company that shapes India’s supply-chains with integrity and safety, Blue Dart is where you belong. Blue Dart offers competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, access to cross-functional, succession planning and global career paths, and strong culture of recognition.
Position Overview:
The PDA Manager – OPS is responsible for leading outsourced Pickup & Delivery Associate (PDA) operations across an assigned cluster of service centres and cities within the region. The role is accountable for ensuring adequate last-mile workforce availability, vendor capability, commercial governance and operational performance to consistently deliver Blue Dart's customer service commitments.
Reporting to the Regional Last Mile capacity building, the role manages the complete outsourced PDA ecosystem including workforce planning, vendor onboarding, delivery partner deployment, productivity management, vendor performance, billing governance, commercial controls and continuous operational improvement. The incumbent works closely with Branch Operations, HR, Finance, Procurement and vendor partners to ensure optimal delivery capacity while balancing service quality, productivity and cost efficiency.
Operating within a dynamic logistics and express distribution environment, this role plays a critical part in ensuring sufficient delivery manpower, strengthening vendor partnerships, improving operational productivity and driving scalable last-mile operations across the assigned geography.
Job Purpose:
To manage outsourced PDA operations across assigned locations by ensuring optimum workforce availability, effective vendor governance, commercial discipline, operational productivity and service excellence while driving continuous improvement, cost optimization and compliance to support Blue Dart's last-mile delivery network.
Key Roles & Responsibilities:
Outsourced PDA Workforce Planning
Lead workforce planning for outsourced Pickup & Delivery Associates (PDAs) across assigned locations based on operational demand, shipment volumes and business forecasts.
Ensure timely deployment of adequate manpower to support business growth, seasonal peaks and operational continuity.
Drive proactive replacement planning to minimise workforce shortages and service disruptions.
Monitor workforce productivity and optimise deployment across branches and service centres.
Review manpower trends and recommend corrective actions to improve delivery capacity.
Vendor Management & Governance
Manage end-to-end relationships with outsourced manpower vendors across assigned locations.
Drive identification, evaluation and onboarding of new vendors to support business expansion and operational requirements.
Conduct regular vendor performance reviews against defined service level agreements and operational KPIs.
Ensure vendors maintain adequate manpower availability, productivity and service quality.
Develop strong vendor partnerships focused on operational excellence and continuous improvement.
Commercial Governance
Govern vendor commercial agreements including rate card implementation, revisions and compliance.
Review and validate vendor billing, invoice accuracy and payment documentation.
Ensure timely reconciliation of vendor invoices with approved manpower deployment and agreed commercial terms.
Monitor outsourced manpower costs and recommend opportunities for cost optimization.
Partner with Finance and Procurement to strengthen commercial governance and financial controls.
Operational Performance & Service Delivery
Ensure adequate PDA availability to achieve delivery commitments across assigned locations.
Monitor productivity, manpower utilization and service performance on a regular basis.
Drive improvements in strike rate, delivery productivity and operational responsiveness.
Support Branch Operations teams in resolving manpower shortages and operational challenges.
Ensure outsourced manpower supports Blue Dart's service quality and customer experience standards.
Vendor Performance & Productivity Management
Ensure vendor compliance with statutory labour regulations, contractual obligations and Blue Dart policies.
Monitor KYC, documentation, statutory records and compliance requirements for outsourced workforce.
Coordinate with HR and vendors to ensure timely completion of onboarding documentation.
Identify operational and compliance risks associated with outsourced manpower and implement mitigation plans.
Maintain governance standards across all outsourced workforce operations.
Workforce Compliance & Risk Management
Ensure vendor compliance with statutory labour regulations, contractual obligations and Blue Dart policies.
Monitor KYC, documentation, statutory records and compliance requirements for outsourced workforce.
Coordinate with HR and vendors to ensure timely completion of onboarding documentation.
Identify operational and compliance risks associated with outsourced manpower and implement mitigation plans.
Maintain governance standards across all outsourced workforce operations.
Continuous Improvement & Digital Enablement
Drive process improvements to enhance outsourced workforce productivity and operational efficiency.
Support implementation of digital onboarding, workforce management and vendor management initiatives.
Promote automation and technology adoption across PDA operations.
Analyse operational trends and recommend initiatives to improve workforce planning and service performance.
Lead continuous improvement projects focused on productivity, cost optimization and operational excellence.
Stakeholder Collaboration
Work closely with Branch Managers, Operations Managers and Regional Operations teams to ensure adequate manpower availability.
Partner with HR, Finance and Procurement on vendor onboarding, billing governance and workforce planning.
Coordinate with Security and Compliance teams to ensure adherence to organizational standards.
Build collaborative relationships with vendor partners to drive operational performance.
Support regional operational reviews by providing workforce analytics and vendor performance insights.
Qualifications & Experience:
Education:
Bachelor's Degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business Administration or a related discipline.
MBA / Postgraduate qualification in Operations, Supply Chain or Management preferred.
Experience:
8–10 years of progressive experience in logistics, express distribution, eCommerce, last-mile operations or outsourced workforce management.
Proven experience man

Work arrangement
No