Position: Supply Chain Executive
Package: R1.4/1.5M + bonus
Area: Cape Town

PRE-SCREENING QUESTIONS: (Kindly do not apply if you do not meet these minimum requirements)

• Do you have a completed degree? (not a national diploma)
• Have you managed a large DC somewhere in your past? (not transport, not logistics)
• Have you managed a Large number of staff (not 50, but rather 300+)
• You will ideally be based at head office level, in a strategic position, managing the DC managers of more than one site

The specific title of this vacancy is Head of Operations, but when we advertise as such, we end up with everyone who has managed a DC in his/her past. We are looking to employ someone who had the responsibility of managing a DC before, but you must have a very good understanding of Supply chain and your qualifications must be impressive. This vacancy is earmarked for a very senior incumbent.

You will plan, direct and coordinate the organization’s DC operations across multi-site locations. You will be responsible for improving performance, productivity, efficiency and profitability through the implementation of effective methods and strategies.

You will create and build upon operational plans, drive a mind-set and culture of continuous improvement, tackling complex problems that affect customers and work to resolve them with innovative solutions.

You will be responsible for all budgetary, people development and operations objectives.

You will strive to instill a culture of best-practice, safety and customer-focused obsession within your teams. You will be managing, coaching and leading your team, to ensure performance objectives are met, building positive employee relations and building leadership strength within the Distribution Centers.

The position reports to an Executive and you will have a team of direct reports. This is a regional role covering 2 sites at this stage.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Provide innovation in developing long term strategies to ensure that the company’s operating model is flexible and agile to meet future
customer demands.
• Introduce new and innovative ways of managing the DC operations.
• Responsible for setting operational goals and metrics for the CPT & JHB DC’s, whilst working with the senior leadership team, to regularly
review DC performance levels to continuously improve strategies to make both long term and tactical business decisions.
• Manage and drive the manpower demand plans, schedules, quality initiatives, process change initiatives and assist the business to achieve
year on year improvements within its operating plan.
• Manage a large team (typically the total workforce size from all sources will be over 600 people) across multi sites, within an extremely fast-
paced/time-critical and demanding environment. (The workforce is sourced from a variety of sources including permanent/temporary and
contract labour.)
• Create, lead, engage with and direct a workforce to drive enhanced performance. This will include - safety of our people, employee
engagement, performance leadership, talent & succession and training & development at all levels of business.
• Implement change and/or develop new processes as required to provide ability to better service our customers, reducing cost whilst looking to
serve and improve contribution
• Set requirements and expectations for General Managers, DC Managers and Shift Managers
• Take proactive steps to ensure that best practices are introduced throughout the operations in the form of
standard work and that these are shared and implemented across all operational locations.
• Work with key business partners such as Logistics, Retail, Finance, HR and Engineering to deliver the operating plan and to secure required
support and resources for projects and initiatives.
• Supplier relationship management including supplier selection, negotiation and contracting.
• Manage and develop loss control programs to secure the facilities.
• Management, monitoring, reporting and communication in regard to financial and budget requirements.

Qualifications and attributes:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain or Logistics. MBA preferred.
• 10+ years Operations Management experience in an environment where you’ve had involvement with Distribution Centres
• Have strong people management experience, excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Experience with working with internal and external customers as well as suppliers.
• Proven strong track record of team leadership within a large scale rapid and process driven environment – must have end to end process
management experience.
• Demonstrate a strong track record of problem solving and solid analytical skill capability to look at and find solutions for a variety of
operational challenges.
• Proven background in leading regional teams in a multi-site business.
• Goal driven, target orientated, with the ability to step back and look at the bigger picture, you will also be able to manage ambiguity with your
sleeves rolled up, able to thrive in a truly innovative and complex business environment.
• Demonstrate the ability to manage, motivate and influence work behaviours through exceptional people skills and leadership.
• Flexibility to manage a business that can operate 7/365.
• Have experience of operating in large scale, rapid and process-driven environments, including facing operational peaks and strong growth.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.