Logistics Manager at Vector Logistics

Job Purpose

• To manage the overall logistics, both inbound and outbound, ensuring that operations within the Vector single depot are handled seamlessly.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy Execution:

• Work in conjunction with the Regional Operations Manager to co-create the regional operations strategy, based on a 1-to-3-year view of requirements.
• Work closely with the rest of the business to ensure the delivery of an integrated supply chain benefit and strategic target achievement.
• Drive the implementation of improvements in operating processes and systems to optimise warehouse and transport efficiencies.
• Determine operational capacity requirements across both the medium and the long term and plan required asset utilisation and capex requirements accordingly.
• Use growth and investment opportunities to ensure warehouse design and flow is optimised.
• Stay abreast of latest international trends by visiting facilities (local and international) and integrating best practice into future solutions.
• As a central point of the supply chain, identify supply chain bottle necks and opportunities and develop solutions through collaboration with all relevant parties in the business.
• Constantly monitor and drive the achievement of single depot strategic and operational targets.
• Ensure the agreed operational targets are achieved through team targets and that these targets align cross-functionally within the area of responsibility.
• Conduct weekly management meetings to address challenges, review performance and plan for future optimum performance.
• Maintain an accurate record of planning forecasts for the week before as well as a five week future plan to enable accurate decision-making and longer term planning.

Logistics Management:

• Integrate business systems successfully to support operational processes.
• Monitor the quality, quantity, cost and efficiency of the movement and storage of stock.
• Control stock accurately across all single depot functions.
• Initiate and manage stock loss reduction programmes.
• Deliver system support to all internal and external customers.
• Manage and utilize the single depot base vehicle fleet by optimizing routes and vehicle requirements between depots.
• Ensure continuous improvement in reverse logistics systems and processes by on-the-job observation, benchmarking and analysis.
• Drive the logistics team on a daily basis to ensure that it deploys stock through the network to effectively meet customer service levels at minimal cost.
• Drive a culture of commitment to key performance indicator’s (KPI’s) by creating awareness and providing recognition for attainment of KPI’s within the team.
• Utilise regular communication channels and team meetings to promote continuous improvement and best practice on a daily basis across the single depot.
• Work closely with Principals to ensure inbound and outbound alignment.
• Work closely with customers to develop solutions that best fit customer needs as well as suit warehouse and transport capabilities at the lowest cost.

Risk Management:

• Mitigate risks against people and physical assets.
• Ensure consistent application of the Group risk management policy across the single depot.
• Drive the risk committee process and activities by having monthly meetings, analysing findings and ensuring corrective action is undertaken.
• Ensure full legal compliance with all relevant legislation.
• Re-evaluate the risk profile of the single depot on an annual basis.
• Measure and manage sustainability practices across the single depot.
• Maintain and implement food safety standards across the single depot and ensure that enhancements are implemented based on on-going learning.
• Ensure that security is maintained and that appropriate investigations take place where incidents occur.

Information and Data Management:

• Ensure the team accurately and regularly captures operating data onto the information system to enable access to reliable data and reporting for trend and decision making.
• Analyse management information on a daily basis to ensure productivity and logistics/distribution targets and standards are being met.
• Suggest system changes to ensure the ongoing relevance and accuracy of information.
• Share relevant data with the management team to enable reliable business decision making.

Maintenance Management:

• Manage the formulation of a maintenance plan that is aligned to the operational plan for the single depot.
• Drive sustainable maintenance practices throughout the single depot.
• Manage the transport maintenance team and ensure that planned maintenance programmes are implemented to enable optimal asset utilisation.
• Ensure that maintenance practices are aligned to business standards.

Financial Management:

• Compile the annual distribution budget for the single depot.
• Manage costs to ensure lowest cost storage and distribution and the optimal utilisation of assets.
• Report on a weekly basis on actual KPI’s versus budget and work with the relevant teams to address areas of non-conformance proactively and promptly.
• Report on and manage all input costs within the single depot and manage any over or under-spend appropriately to ensure that issues are addressed before significant financial loss occurs.
• Authorise expenses within the level of authority and monitor spending activity within teams to ensure compliance with financial and ethical standards.
• Implement and encourage cost cutting initiatives within the single depot where these do not impact on long term business sustainability.
• Enforce accountability for budget expenditure by the management team.
• Mitigate business risks within budgetary constraints through the allocation of spend to areas of high priority.
• Ensure correct operational planning to meet budgeted volumes across a 2-3 year time horizon.
• Review and authorise capex documentation and align the proposals with the long term strategy, taking into account the return on investment and sustainability requirements.
• Manage external supplier relationships and contracts in collaboration with the procurement team to ensure agreed service levels are met.
• Ensure all general ledger accounts are reconciled, and deadlines are met.
• Ensure optimal deployment of physical and human resources using best practice standards, productivity measurements and on-the-job observation.

Leadership:

• Lead the single depot management team towards meeting strategic objectives and targets through regular communication and utilisation of the full organisational talent management tool set.
• Lead a single depot team and workforce and maintain a stable IR climate through a constructive relationship with unions.
• Manage and deliver on succession plans to enable the development of a future generation of leaders and specialists and ensure optimal turnover and retention levels are maintained.
• Drive employment equity within the team to ensure that diversity is achieved at all levels and that statutory targets and requirements are met.
• Champion training and development of the team through the utilisation of available training opportunities or by contributing to the development of new training solutions in collaboration with regional and national training specialists.
• Conduct regular performance appraisals with subordinates and ensure that the process is cascaded throughout the single depot.
• Develop and manage high performance multi-disciplinary teams in order to solve problems within the single depot.
• Encourage skills workshops between multi-disciplinary teams and across the single depot to realise the transfer of skills.
• Conduct weekly management meetings and ensure that records are kept and shared across the team and that action plans agreed to within team meetings are delivered upon.
• Manage the employee relations climate and ensure corrective action is taken where required in line with relevant legislation and company policy.
• Monitor team performance and provide regular feedback.
• Coach and support team members where necessary to achieve objectives.

Key Relationships

Internal:

• Sales.
• Finance.
• The broader supply chain management team (especially supply chain and transport planning).

External:

• Suppliers and service providers.
• Principals.
• Customers.
• Qualifications, Skills and Experience Required for the Job

Qualifications and Experience

• Matric.
• Minimum of a degree or diploma in logistics management.
• Valid Code EB drivers' licence.
• A minimum of 5 years in a warehouse and distribution environment.

Skills and Competencies
Skills:

• Financial management.
• Planning, organisation and coordination.
• Negotiation.
• Relationship building.
• Computer literacy (MS Office).
• Verbal and written communication.
• Interpersonal.
• Logical thinking.
• Innovative and creative thinking.
• Problem solving.
• Critical thinking.
• Decision-making.
• Analytical and evaluative thinking.