Warehouse Manager (New Warehouse Manager) at The Beverage Company

Job Purpose

• The Warehouse Manager is responsible for leading and managing all warehouse operations to ensure the safe, efficient and cost-effective receipt, storage, inventory handling and dispatch of products in support of manufacturing, distribution and customer service requirements.
• The role is accountable for warehouse productivity, operational performance, resource planning, service delivery, safety, quality and compliance across all warehouse activities. Working closely with Planning, Manufacturing, Transport, Customer Service and Inventory Control, the Warehouse Manager ensures warehouse operations are executed efficiently while maintaining high standards of operational discipline, customer service and inventory handling.
• The incumbent drives operational excellence through effective leadership, continuous improvement, warehouse optimisation and employee development, ensuring warehouse operations consistently support the Company's supply chain objectives.

Key Responsibilities
Warehouse Operations Management

• Lead and manage all warehouse operations to ensure the safe, efficient and effective receipt, storage and dispatch of products.
• Ensure warehouse operations are executed in accordance with operational plans, customer requirements and company standards.
• Coordinate daily warehouse activities to optimise operational flow and maximise throughput.
• Monitor warehouse performance and implement corrective actions to address operational challenges.
• Ensure warehouse capacity is effectively utilised to support changing business requirements.
• Drive operational excellence through standardised warehouse processes and procedures.
• Promote a culture of accountability, efficiency and operational discipline across the warehouse.

Receiving, Storage & Dispatch

• Ensure inbound receipts are processed accurately, efficiently and within agreed service levels.
• Manage storage practices that optimise warehouse space utilisation and inventory accessibility.
• Ensure customer orders are picked, checked, loaded and dispatched accurately and on time.
• Coordinate dispatch activities to support transport planning and customer delivery requirements.
• Monitor warehouse turnaround times and implement initiatives to improve operational efficiency.
• Ensure warehouse documentation is completed accurately and maintained in accordance with company requirements.
• Minimise product damage through effective warehouse handling and storage practices.

Warehouse Productivity & Resource Planning

• Develop warehouse resource plans aligned to operational volumes and customer demand.
• Optimise labour utilisation to maximise warehouse productivity and operational efficiency.
• Monitor warehouse productivity indicators and implement performance improvement initiatives.
• Manage labour scheduling to support seasonal demand and operational priorities.
• Identify opportunities to improve warehouse throughput while maintaining operational standards.
• Monitor overtime and labour costs to ensure effective utilisation of resources.
• Drive productivity improvements through continuous review of warehouse processes.

Customer Service & Operational Performance

• Ensure warehouse operations consistently support agreed customer service and delivery commitments.
• Monitor operational performance against service level agreements and key performance indicators.
• Investigate customer service failures and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Collaborate with Customer Service, Planning and Distribution teams to resolve operational issues.
• Ensure timely communication of operational constraints that may impact service delivery.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance customer service performance.
• Promote a customer-focused culture across warehouse operations.

Safety, Quality & Food Safety

• Ensure compliance with all Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) standards and company policies.
• Promote compliance with Food Safety, GMP and hygiene requirements throughout warehouse operations.
• Maintain high housekeeping standards through the effective implementation of 5S principles.
• Conduct regular workplace inspections and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
• Ensure all warehouse employees comply with safe working practices and legislative requirements.
• Promote a culture of safety, quality and continuous compliance.
• Support internal and external audits relating to warehouse operations.

Warehouse Assets & Equipment Management

• Ensure warehouse equipment is available, maintained and utilised efficiently to support operational requirements.
• Monitor the condition and utilisation of warehouse assets and material handling equipment.
• Coordinate preventative maintenance activities to minimise equipment downtime.
• Ensure warehouse infrastructure supports safe and efficient operations.
• Report equipment defects and coordinate timely corrective action.
• Promote responsible use of warehouse assets and company property.
• Support capital expenditure planning for warehouse equipment replacement and upgrades.

Compliance, Governance & Inventory Support

• Ensure compliance with warehouse policies, procedures and operational controls.
• Support inventory accuracy through disciplined warehouse handling and stock movement processes.
• Collaborate with the Inventory Controller to resolve inventory discrepancies and improve stock integrity.
• Ensure warehouse transactions are processed accurately within ERP and warehouse management systems.
• Maintain accurate operational records and warehouse documentation.
• Support inventory audits, cycle counts and compliance reviews.
• Identify operational risks and implement appropriate corrective actions.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve warehouse productivity, operational efficiency and service delivery.
• Lead warehouse improvement initiatives that optimise processes and eliminate waste.
• Promote standardisation of warehouse practices across the operation.
• Analyse warehouse performance data and implement corrective actions to improve results
• Encourage innovation and problem-solving within the warehouse team.
• Support Supply Chain optimisation initiatives through operational improvements.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

People Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Lead, coach and develop Warehouse Supervisors and warehouse employees to achieve operational objectives.
• Establish clear performance expectations and monitor individual and team performance.
• Manage workforce planning to ensure appropriate staffing levels are maintained.
• Promote employee engagement, accountability and teamwork across warehouse operations.
• Support employee training, development and succession planning.
• Build effective relationships with Manufacturing, Planning, Distribution, Inventory Control, Customer Service and Fleet teams.
• Foster a positive, high-performance culture aligned to the Company's values.

Qualifications and Experience
Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations Management or a related discipline.
• Sound knowledge of warehouse operations, inventory management and distribution processes.
• Working knowledge of ERP and Warehouse Management Systems.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.

Ideal Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in Supply Chain, Logistics or Business Management.
• Lean Six Sigma or Continuous Improvement certification.
• Supervisory or Leadership qualification.
• Food Safety, HACCP or GMP certification.
• Project Management qualification.

Minimum Experience

• Minimum 8–10 years' experience in warehouse or distribution operations within an FMCG, manufacturing or logistics environment.
• Minimum 5 years' experience managing warehouse operations.
• Experience leading large operational teams within a unionised environment.
• Experience managing warehouse productivity, inventory handling and customer service performance.
• Experience managing warehouse budgets and operational resources.
• Experience working with ERP and Warehouse Management Systems.
• Experience implementing continuous improvement initiatives.

Ideal Experience

• Beverage industry experience.
• Experience within a multi-site manufacturing and distribution environment.
• Experience supporting SAP Warehouse Management.