Logistics Manager, Queenstown at Sheldon Recruitment

• We are seeking a Logistics Manager for a permanent vacancy based in Queenstown, Eastern Cape

Applicants are required to meet the following criteria:

• Grade 12 with Bachelor’s degree in Logistics or Supply Chain
• Minimum 5 years’ management experience in a logistics position is essential coupled with related work experience in warehousing, storage, retail and admin
• Strong interpersonal and presentation skills, along with the ability to communicate effectively with others at all levels of the organization

The successful applicant would be responsible for, but not limited to:

Transport Management

• Plan, coordinate, and oversee daily transport and distribution activities to ensure on-time deliveries and collections.
• Develop and implement effective transport schedules, delivery routes, load planning, and vehicle allocation.
• Monitor fleet utilisation, vehicle availability, fuel consumption, maintenance costs, and overall transport efficiency.
• Ensure vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition through planned preventative maintenance, inspections, and timely repairs.
• Manage relationships with third-party transporters, subcontractors, and service providers.
• Monitor driver performance, productivity, attendance, conduct, and compliance with company policies.
• Ensure compliance with applicable road traffic legislation, transport regulations, driver working-hour requirements, and health and safety standards.
• Investigate transport-related incidents, accidents, delays, customer complaints, and delivery discrepancies, implementing corrective actions where necessary.
• Control transport expenditure, including fuel, maintenance, tyres, toll fees, overtime, and subcontracted transport costs.
• Ensure accurate completion and control of delivery notes, trip sheets, vehicle inspection checklists, proof of delivery, and other transport documentation.
• Track deliveries and collections, communicate delays proactively, and ensure that customers receive reliable service.
• Identify opportunities to improve route efficiency, reduce empty running, optimise load capacity, and minimise transport costs.

Warehousing and Distribution Management

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the warehouse, including receiving, offloading, put-away, storage, picking, packing, staging, loading, and dispatch.
• Ensure that all incoming and outgoing stock is accurately checked, recorded, and processed in the warehouse management system or applicable inventory system.
• Maintain accurate inventory records and ensure that physical stock corresponds with system balances.
• Implement regular cycle counts, stocktakes, and investigations into stock variances, losses, damages, and discrepancies.
• Ensure effective warehouse layout, space utilisation, stock rotation, and storage practices.
• Implement and maintain appropriate stock control procedures, including FIFO (First In, First Out) or FEFO (First Expired, First Out), where applicable.
• Ensure that customer orders are picked, checked, packed, and dispatched accurately and within the required timeframes.
• Monitor warehouse productivity, order fulfilment accuracy, dispatch turnaround times, and stock accuracy.
• Maintain appropriate housekeeping standards and ensure that warehouse facilities, equipment, and material-handling machinery are safe and fit for purpose.
• Ensure that stock is stored securely and protected against damage, theft, contamination, deterioration, and unauthorised access.
• Coordinate warehouse activities with procurement, production, sales, customer service, and transport teams to ensure uninterrupted operational flow.
• Manage warehouse equipment, including forklifts, pallet jacks, racking, and other handling equipment, ensuring inspections and maintenance are conducted as required.
• Investigate operational bottlenecks and implement measures to improve warehouse capacity, productivity, and service levels.

Staff and Team Management

• Lead, supervise, and develop transport and warehouse personnel, including drivers, warehouse supervisors, controllers, forklift operators, and general warehouse staff.
• Establish clear responsibilities, performance standards, work schedules, and operational targets.
• Monitor employee productivity, attendance, overtime, discipline, and compliance with company procedures.
• Conduct performance reviews, coaching, and training to improve individual and team performance.
• Identify skills gaps and arrange appropriate training in safety, equipment operation, stock control, customer service, and operational procedures.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, continuous improvement, and a culture of safety.
• Ensure adequate staffing levels to meet operational requirements and manage peak-period workloads effectively.

Health, Safety, Security, and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with applicable occupational health and safety requirements, road transport legislation, company policies, and relevant industry standards.
• Implement safe operating procedures for vehicles, warehouse equipment, loading bays, storage areas, and manual handling activities.
• Conduct regular workplace inspections, risk assessments, and safety audits.
• Ensure that accidents, injuries, near misses, vehicle incidents, and stock losses are reported, investigated, and addressed.
• Enforce the correct use of personal protective equipment and safe handling procedures.
• Maintain effective security controls for vehicles, warehouse premises, inventory, keys, access points, and operational documentation.
• Ensure that all required permits, licences, vehicle documentation, inspection records, and safety records are valid and up to date.

Cost Control and Budget Management

• Prepare and manage transport and warehousing budgets in line with approved business objectives.
• Monitor operational expenditure and identify opportunities to reduce costs without compromising safety, quality, or service delivery.
• Analyse cost per kilometre, cost per delivery, cost per tonne or pallet, warehouse cost per unit handled, and other relevant cost measures.
• Control fuel usage, vehicle maintenance, overtime, casual labour, equipment hire, and third-party logistics expenditure.
• Investigate budget variances and implement corrective measures.
• Support procurement negotiations for transport services, warehouse equipment, consumables, and operational contracts.
• Develop business cases for operational improvements, additional capacity, fleet changes, or warehouse investments.

Reporting and Performance Management

• Compile and submit daily, weekly, and monthly operational reports
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement corrective actions where targets are not achieved.
• Analyse operational trends, identify recurring problems, and recommend practical improvements to management.
• Maintain accurate operational records, including delivery performance, stock movements, vehicle utilisation, fuel consumption, and warehouse productivity.
• Provide management with visibility of operational risks, service failures, cost pressures, and capacity constraints.
• Participate in management meetings and contribute to operational planning and business improvement initiatives.

Salary: R640 000 – R700 000 per annum dependent on experience