Imports Process Lead at The Coca-Cola Company

About the role

• To ensure the handling of Sea and road shipments, for Finish Goods and Raw Material imports for CCBSA. This involves collaborating with shipping lines and road transport companies to meet Manufacturing planning requirements through efficient imports execution
• Extent of the role’s involvement in supervision and other team leadership activities 
• The role has one direct report in the form of an Imports Controller.
• Level of interaction within and outside of the company as well as the nature and purpose of the interaction
• Engages with direct and indirect customers, to provide constant communication regarding any matters concerning orders and shipments.
• Engages with Procurement teams to align on pricing and sources of supply requirements.
• Engages with external agents and port agencies (i.e., MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company); MERSK etc.) to identify opportunities and negotiate on supply Lead times; Port availability and Costs.
• Engages with Finance to align on forex and insurance requirements.
• Engages with external warehousing companies (i.e., DSV Warehousing) to negotiate favourable service level agreements relating to delivery requirements.
• Engages with all Plants and Supply Planners to manage raw material or containers, to ensure that the processes are followed to manage materials at and between External Facilities and CCBSA plants
• The role liaises with Freight Suppliers and Contractors to manage imports
• Will engage all Supply Chain functions to continuously find better ways to manage and control raw materials.

Key Duties & Responsibilities    
Responsibilities

Material Management Planning and Control

• Conduct and accurate assessment of order requirements and follow up with suppliers, shipping, clearing and forwarding agents at required times to ensure on time and in full goods supply.
• Manage and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure consistent delivery of outputs (i.e., Regrind machine output monitoring and redundant crate quantity measurements versus available space).
• Analyse and solve situation problems to ensure uninterrupted supply of materials (i.e., Negotiating with shipping lines on delivery schedules and timelines).
• Compile reports for Materials Planning team and their customers to enable effective planning and record keeping.
• Effective management of the Crate Regrind process (i.e., Process managed from regrind source to reconciliation of use at supplier; Claims raised against suppliers that use more than the agreed % loss tolerance and Subcontractor stock in Planning Storage locations managed and controlled).
• Ensure the effective supports of New Projects with Imports expertise to enable seamless product entrenchment (i.e., New Product Introductions; Bill of Material (BOM).
• Manage, monitor and collaborate with external goods temporary storage agents/planning/plants to ensure cost effective delivery of goods to final destination.

Governance and Reporting

• Ensure compliance with SARS Tax legislation and requirements by aligning with (Incoterms-2010), payment terms by customer and type of transport required by sea or road.
• Conduct monthly Stock Counts, Recons, posting and reporting for external sites where materials are stored/received to ensure compliance.
• Manage the daily; weekly and monthly Procure to Pay (PTP) Controls to ensure adherence to governance principles (i.e., to enable efficient Supplier payments).
• Ensure Working Capital alignment to budget and maintaining full supply without introducing the risk of shortages (i.e., Structured purchase of Resin for consistent supply at optimal cost).
• Manage the Budgeting and Forecasting of costs for the Materials Planning Department (i.e., Risk and Liability accruals; Forex forward cover; Landed cost reporting and Insurance reporting to AON)
• The effective management of procurement processes aligned to the Voyage Costs process on MSD to ensure compliance.
• Ensure that the VAT is outlaid timeously to enable optimal receipt of cross-border shipments.

Risk Management

• Manage and ensure lead times of the cargo deliveries to manufacturing sites to avoid out of stocks.
• Communicate clearly and consistently with stakeholders and customers regarding risks to ensure effective mitigations (i.e., Changes in supply channels to prevent delays).
• Implement business continuity plans to manage any arising crisis (i.e., Shipping delays; Quality violations; Damages and Claims).
• Identifying ad-hoc imports opportunities (i.e., Determining optimal ways to ensure an uninterrupted supply of goods) to enable business continuity.

Accountabilities

If the incumbent in this role is successful at the job, they will be accountable for the following:

• Imports handing of goods into external facilities.
• Material management (with a 6-to-12-month outlook)
• Sustainability and cost control (R8.9 bn imports annual spend)
• Governance

Skills, Experience & Education    

• Candidate requirements
• A minimum of a relevant qualification (Diploma/equivalent tertiary qualification in Operations/ Logistics Management).
• With a minimum of 2 to 3 years’ experience, within in Beverage or Similar Consumer Goods Industry.
• Experience in supply planning functions will be an advantage.
• Computer literacy with proficiency in Microsoft products and MSD.