General Manager – Distribution Centre at Boardroom Appointments

• We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader to take on the role of General Manager – Distribution Centre. This position is responsible for leading one of the largest and most complex distribution operations within a national supply chain network. The successful candidate will thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment and have a passion for operational excellence, continuous improvement, and leading high-performing teams.

Job Purpose

• To lead and optimise the Distribution Centre by ensuring efficient, safe, and customer-focused distribution operations that support business performance, drive sustainable growth, and enable supply chain excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Distribution Centre's financial performance, including budgeting, cost control, and Profit & Loss management.
• Ensure exceptional customer service through on-time, in-full, and quality deliveries.
• Optimise logistics operations by balancing inventory availability, cost efficiency, and operational performance.
• Drive operational excellence through continuous improvement, innovation, and process optimisation.
• Identify opportunities that improve profitability, productivity, and competitive advantage.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with all Health, Safety, Environmental, and Quality (SHEQ) standards and relevant legislation.
• Develop and lead high-performing, engaged, and diverse teams.
• Achieve inventory accuracy, shrinkage, and wastage targets through effective operational controls.
• Lead business continuity, risk management, and compliance initiatives across the Distribution Centre.

Required Knowledge

• Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), implementation, optimisation, and integration.
• Retail or high-volume distribution and logistics operations.
• Inventory management, forecasting, replenishment, and stock control.
• Transport and fleet management, including route optimisation and supplier management.
• Financial management, budgeting, cost control, and P&L accountability.
• Data analytics, KPI reporting, dashboards, and business intelligence.
• Digital transformation, automation, and technology-driven process improvements.
• Project management and leading cross-functional initiatives.
• SHEQ legislation, COIDA, labour legislation, and regulatory compliance.
• Risk management, asset protection, and business continuity planning.
• Experience operating within a unionised environment.

Experience

• 5–8 years' experience in a senior leadership role within logistics, warehousing, or supply chain operations.
• Proven experience managing large-scale, high-volume distribution centres.
• 3–5 years' hands-on operational logistics experience.
• Demonstrated success leading large teams in a unionised environment.
• Strong warehouse management experience.
• Experience implementing or enhancing Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
• Experience within complex picking and distribution environments.
• Proven success driving digital transformation, operational optimisation, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree (NQF Level 7 or higher) in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.

Key Competencies

• Leadership and People Management
• Strategic Thinking
• Commercial and Financial Acumen
• Customer Focus
• Operational Excellence
• Analytical Thinking
• Continuous Improvement
• Influencing and Stakeholder Management
• Decision Making
• Results Driven