Logistics Warehouse Manager at Colgate-Palmolive

Role Summary/Purpose

• Own day-to-day warehouse operations in the Boksburg plant, ensuring accurate inventory, smooth inbound/outbound flows, and high service levels to our customers. Lead warehouse resources, optimize capacity, drive 5S and EOHS practices, and continuously improve processes to reduce cost and increase reliability. Reporting to the Senior Logistics and Inventory Manager within Customer Service & Logistics, steward stock integrity, manage MHE, and uphold strict KPI targets including Case Fill and On-Time Delivery. Provide leadership pivotal to coordinating stock movements, resolving discrepancies, and maintaining quality and safety standards across the network. 

Responsibilities:

• Run daily warehouse operations and relationships with 3PLs: resolve stock discrepancies between plant and warehouses (WMS), manage inbound/outbound flows, ensure CHEP pallet availability, maintain housekeeping and MHE readiness, and swiftly resolve issues to avoid operational impact.
• Lead warehouse resource and performance management: oversee capacity/utilization, supervise warehouse and admin staff (including temporary staffing), conduct weekly 5S audits, manage pallet hire, MHE utilization, scorecards/KPIs, and address security issues.
• Coordinate replenishment and transfers: manage daily shuttles to main warehouses, plan depot transfers, prioritize urgent stock to mother warehouse/backhaul/toll packers, improve vehicle utilization and turnaround time, and oversee staff sales stock transfers.
• Safeguard inventory integrity: perform daily factory-to-WMS reconciliations, reconcile reworks, own cycle counts and monthly stock counts/variance investigations, reconcile CHEP pallets/portal updates, manage quarantines with accurate batch records, and reconcile staff sales.
• Uphold Quality and EOHS standards: maintain highest safety standards, conduct daily/weekly/monthly audits (including temperature logging), complete daily MHE inspections, drive continuous improvement, and ensure all training requirements are met.
• Manage stock-on-hold and disposals: move QI stock to 3PLs, coordinate releases with the Technical team, segregate EMO/rejected stock, reconcile daily batch releases, and ensure safe disposal of rejected/written-off stock including trade returns; achieve service KPIs such as Case Fill 97%, On-Time Delivery 98%, POD within 14 days, and 2-hour turnaround time.

Required  Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Logistics, Supply Chain, Transportation, or Operations Management.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in FMCG logistics environments covering warehouse operations, inventory control, customer service management, and stock control.
• Strong systems proficiency: SAP WMS  (Materials Management, Sales & Distribution), Google Workspace, WMS interfacing, and Lotus Notes. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven communication skills; collaborative team player; resilient under pressure; decisive problem-solver with strong customer orientation and analytical ability; self-motivated and assertive.
• Demonstrated leadership of 3PL partners and warehouse teams, with experience driving 5S, continuous improvement, and KPI scorecard rigor in high-volume operations.
• Familiarity with EOHS standards, MHE safety/inspections, CHEP pallet processes, and audit/temperature logging routines in warehousing environments.