Warehouse & Logistics Manager - Alberton at ABB

Job Summary 

You will be working as Warehouse & Logistics Manager and will be part of Electrification Business Area for Smart Buildings Division based in Modderfontein, South Africa. In this role you will be reporting to Sales Operations Manager and will be responsible for of warehouse operations, trade compliance and transportation. Ensuring warehouse and forwarders service level and productivity, in compliance with regulations, company’s guidelines and procedures.

Your responsibilities

• Seamlessly integrate with Business Units and our 3rd Party Logistics (3PL) partner, fostering a collaborative environment to optimize warehouse operations for unparalleled efficiency, precision, and compliance. We are committed to delivering excellence in every aspect of our business, ensuring the highest standards of quality, continuous improvement, and stakeholder satisfaction. Through strategic collaboration and innovative solutions, we aim to elevate the standards of supply chain management, reinforcing our position as a global leader in the field of industrial automation, electrification, & robotics.
• As a Warehouse and Logistics Manager working in conjunction with our 3PL partner, you will be responsible for ensuring the seamless integration of warehouse operations with a focus on efficiency, accuracy, and compliance.
• Your Main Accountabilities
• Budget:
• Proposes and manages the annual warehouse budget. Operates within approved budget. Optimizes resources and determines actions to address cost issues. In case of third-party logistics (3PL) set-up, monitors warehousing costs and implement costs productivity initiatives.
• Collaborative Operations Management:
• Liaise with the 3PL partner to oversee day-to-day warehouse activities, ensuring adherence to agreed-upon service level agreements (SLAs).
• Operations Management:
• Supervise and coordinate daily warehouse activities, including receiving, storing, and shipping of products.
• Implement and enforce best practices for inventory management, ensuring accuracy and timeliness in all transactions.
• Making sure that the daily cycle counts are happening by the 3PL and ensuring that it is as per procedure and daily/yearly plan.
• Handling / investigating customer complaints to ensure it gets closed with the set KPI.
• Ensuring that the monthly invoices for the 3PL are scrutinized for accuracy and processed for payments on time.
• Improvements:
• Continuously improves operations, optimizes warehouse utilization and inhouse transportation process (Transfer of goods to an external carrier) . Support the team on the forwarder se-lection process. In case of 3PL set-up, collaborates with the logistics provider to promote and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Performance:
• Reviews and manages warehouse and forwarders KPIs and follow-up with process improvement plans. Validates KPIs issued by Forwarders and 3PL along with the cost associated to their service.
• Warehouse Operations:
• Plans and monitors the storage, delivery, and dispatch of orders and keeps stock control systems up to date. Oversees stock control and processes orders..
• Ensures compliance to company procedures and policies with-in the warehouse operations and 3PL services, setting up relevant control mechanisms and documents (e.g. stock control / count).
• Performance Optimization:
• Develop and implement strategies to improve warehouse efficiency, reducing lead times and operational costs.
• Implement/ Utilize technology (like WMS) and automation tools to enhance overall warehouse productivity.
• People Leadership and Development:
• Develops an effective relation with internal and external stakeholders (e.g. 3PL, forwarders) and motivates, organizes, and encourages teamwork within the workforce to ensure that productivity and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) targets are met.
• Lead and motivate a diverse team of warehouse staff, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Conduct regular training sessions to enhance team skills and ensure compliance with safety and operational guidelines.
• Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE)
• Ensures that Group and local health, safety and environmental guidelines and directives are implemented and understood to ensure safety of people and resources.
• Team Leadership:
• Lead and motivate a diverse team of warehouse staff, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Conduct regular training sessions to enhance team skills and ensure compliance with safety and operational guidelines.
• Develops an effective relation with internal and external stakeholders (e.g. 3PL, forwarders) and motivates, organizes, and encourages teamwork within the workforce to ensure that productivity and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) targets are met.

Your background

• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in supply chain management, logistics, business administration or a related field
• Minimum 15 years of experience in 3PL background or from any MNC is required
• Relevant certifications in Logistics management.
• Knowledge of budgeting, cost control, and financial analysis within a logistics or warehouse management context
• Knowledge of best practices in inventory management, transportation and distribution.
• Understanding of international and local regulations related to transportation, import/export, and safety within the logistics and warehouse context.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for internal team communication and external stakeholder engagement.
• Familiarity with warehouse management systems (WMS) and their implementation.
• Preference will be given to EE candidates.