Warehouse Specialist at Bayer

Job Purpose:

• To coordinate and ensure the flawless execution of daily warehouse operations for Seed and Crop Protection products, including all distribution and warehousing activities.
• This role is accountable for driving operational efficiency, maintaining strict compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and company standards governing warehouse operations and dispatch, while fostering a safe and productive environment. 

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

Operational Execution & Planning:

• Direct and ensure the proper execution of the daily operational plan, including the efficient operation of all warehouse equipment.
• Lead the planning and coordination of daily tasks, specifically overseeing all inbound shipment and outbound shipments ensuring the picking and staging of stock for distribution to meet dispatch schedules.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within daily warehouse processes to enhance efficiency and productivity.
• Inventory Control & Loss Prevention:
• Maintain stringent stock control and actively minimize stock write-offs attributed to redundancies and damages.
• Enforce strict adherence to proper stock rotation (First Expiry First Out - FEFO) and optimal stock handling practices.
• Proactively eliminate storage practices that could lead to deterioration of stock quality.
• Ensure all materials are prepared and handled in the Warehouse and Distribution areas in a manner that prevents any product loss, thereby ensuring uninterrupted business operations.
• Execute and complete monthly inventory control and cycle counts with high accuracy.
• Ensure yearly sampling procedures are carried out as per SOP.
• Assist in fumigation preparation and subsequent re-stacking.
• Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) Compliance & Implementation:
• Actively implement and ensure full compliance with all HSE programs and responsibilities.
• Enforce adherence to HSE standards and procedures, safe practices, good housekeeping standards, and Responsible Care requirements.
• Oversee and ensure the safe destruction of waste in accordance with regulations.
• Ensure strict adherence to all Health and Safety instructions on site, guaranteeing that PPE is worn as required at all times.
• Drive compliance with all Behavior Based Safety (BBS) rules and ensure continuous good housekeeping to maintain a safe working environment for all staff members.
• Promptly report all incidents and actively lead/assist in investigations to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.

Warehouse Activities & Compliance:

• Execute and coordinate the site dangerous goods compliance programme related to all offloading, storing, handling, loading and vehicle checks related to the chem product portfolio.
• Execute and coordinate all auxiliary warehouse activities, including the handling of D&O/expired stocks, exceptional labeling, re-labeling post-production, and the efficient management of complaints and returns.
• Ensure all these activities are conducted in line with country-specific regulations and in collaboration with Customer
• Service  and Marketing, considering regulatory changes in the channel.
• Actively control expenses and identify/initiate cost savings across all distribution and warehouse activities.

Technology & System Utilization:

• Operate and troubleshoot daily warehouse management system (WMS) functions (e.g., SAP, scanner operations) to ensure accurate inventory transactions and efficient workflow.
• Generate and analyze daily operational reports (e.g., picking efficiency, dispatch readiness, inventory discrepancies) to proactively identify issues and drive immediate corrective actions.
• Ensure accurate and timely data entry for all incoming and outgoing goods, stock movements, and inventory adjustments within the WMS/SAP system.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years operational experience within Distribution & Warehousing, Import & Exports, logistics
• Grade 12 /Diploma in Supply chain management/ Distribution & Warehousing/ Logistics/ IT programming/systems
• Strong understanding & execution of warehouse & logistics principles & practices
• Computer literate, Microsoft office proficient & SAP experience
• Excellent  written, verbal, interpersonal & communication skills
• Knowledge of the Agricultural chemical & seed markets is advantageous
• Fluent in English, Afrikaans,  local vernacular advantageous
• Results orientated
• Ability to work effectively in a global, team matrix-based environment (cross functional; cross cultural)
• Agile
• High level of engagement & communication