Fresh Jobs at Vector Logistics

JOB PURPOSE

• To work as part of a cross-functional team (sales, supply planning and finance) to deliver the sales forecasting and demand management process within Vector.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Planning

•  Execute the degree of forward planning (3 - 6 months, 2 years etc.) as defined by management.

Sales Analysis

• On a weekly and monthly basis, analyse actual sales to generate the forecast, make recommendations, and drive continuous improvements to gain consensus with the cross-functional team on the forward forecast (including base and event).

 Base Demand Planning and Forecasting

• Analyse historical demand and remove anomalies (including outliers) from the norm using historical information, knowledge of the category and through getting input from the sales teams.
• Identify the most appropriate statistical forecasting model for each product group in order to generate an accurate base forecast.
• Generate the base demand plan using the most appropriate statistical forecasting algorithm and make adjustments where necessary.
• Understand any variance between actual customer demand and the statistical forecast and appropriately challenge, change and make recommendations to the base forecast.

Events/Promotions Forecasting

• Work with the customer team to determine promotional activities volume and track the effectiveness of the promotion (costs vs promotional volume increment).
• Question the promotional volume based on the success/failure of past promotions.
• Use the promotions grid and related discussions with the sales team as input into the event forecasts.
• Work closely with the sales team to document the assumptions for each promotion, driving clarity on volume, price and customers.

Consolidated Demand Forecast and Continuous Improvement

• Present forecasts along with assumptions to get a consensus forecast to be used by the Business.
• Publish the agreed forecast in an appropriate format to ensure transparency and one set of numbers. This will include publishing the information on the intranet and uploading into SAP and the finance forecasting tools.
• Use the agreed forecasting KPI's to drive improvement in the forecasts and to minimise volatility. Use these KPI's to assist when analysing the historical data while generating the forecasts.
• Publish the forecasting KPI's in the agreed format, in line with the agreed timeline for weekly reports and monthly scorecards.

Innovation Management

• Work with the sales, supply planning and procurement teams to develop the forecast for new products using appropriate forecasts copied from other products plus appropriate market intelligence.
• Document all assumptions.
• Track and publish KPI’s for each new innovation.
• When discontinuing a product, work closely with the supply planning team to ensure accurate ‘bleedout’ forecasts to enable a smooth run-out process.
• Use the agreed forecasting KPI’s (bias, hits and misses and accuracy) to drive improvement in the forecasts and to minimize volatility. Use these KPI’s to assist when analysing the historical data while generating the forecast.
• Publish the forecasting KPI’s in the agreed format, in line with the agreed timeline for weekly reporting and monthly scorecards.

Portfolio Management

•  Complete the data analysis to provide input into discussions on portfolio management.
•  Make recommendations on where opportunities exist to remove SKU's from the portfolio using agreed guidelines.

Sales and Operations Planning

•  Work closely with the Demand Planning Manager and finance team to deliver the Sales and Operations Planning pack, ensuring that the information is available on time and is accurate.
•  Using the forecasting and customer service KPI's, work closely with the supply planning team to deliver improvements in customer service, particularly by providing insight into stock holding by branches to ensure that promotions are delivered.
•  Provide the required data to the Finance team in the appropriate format to enable the annual and quarterly budget planning process.

Master Data and Hierarchy Maintenance

• Contribute to the maintenance of master data and hierarchies.

Project Coordination

• Participate as an integral member of cross functional teams to deliver business projects.

Administration

• Oversee filing and safeguarding of records within area of responsibility.
• Compile ad hoc spreadsheets when required.

 Reporting

• Report on demand by principal.
• Compile other reports as set out by management.

Team Coordination

•  Take ownership and accountability for tasks and activities and demonstrate effective self-management in terms of planning, prioritising and self-development.
•  Follow through to ensure that quality and productivity standards of work are consistently and accurately maintained.
•  Inform relevant parties in the event of tasks or deadlines not met, the potential risks thereof and provide appropriate resolution.
•  Support and drive the business core values.
•  Manage colleagues and clients’ expectations and communicate appropriately.
•  Demonstrate willingness to help others and “go the extra mile” to meet team targets and objectives.
• Champion training and development of self and others through utilising available training opportunities or contributing to the development of new training solutions relating to product costing in collaboration with national training specialists.
• Participate in and drive regular performance appraisals and ensure that own targets and goals are clear and achievable.
• Maintain a basic appreciation and awareness of employee relations climate and ensure corrective action is taken where required in line with relevant legislation and company policy.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THE ROLE

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor of Commerce/Economics degree or related Supply Chain National Diploma
• 2-3 years supply and/or demand planning experience
• Previous experience on SAP and SAP BW would be an advantage

Skills and Competencies

• Translating modelling techniques into business language
• Verbal and written communication
• Computer literacy (SAP and MS Office skills prerequisite)
• Report writing
• Interpersonal
• Relationship management
• Logical thinking
• Analytical thinking
• Presentation
• Numeracy
• Organisational awareness

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Job Purpose

• To manage the Network within the given parameters. Ensure we improve efficiencies between Operations and Supply Chain Planning teams.
• Prepare short term and long term capacity and stock holding views. Identify bottle necks and draw up contingency plans to overcome these.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning

• Plan, Control and Execute the forward plan (3-6 months, 2 years etc.) as defined by management.

Capacity Planning

• Develop the Capacity overview for all SKU’s across the Vector network.
• Identify exceptions where stock holding exceeds warehouse capacity and provide contingency plan in order to still service our Customers.
• Develop alternate scenarios to address exceptions by closing the gap between supply,  demand and capacity
• Work closely with the warehousing and transport planning teams to ensure that there is sufficient capacity to meet the national demand requirements.

Short Term Capacity Planning

• Review demand (demand forecasts and actual orders) and stock cover (days) requirements as often as possible across all depots and stock holding positions.

Stock Management

• Calculate the stock targets by SKU by obtaining and using the relevant information to input in the inventory optimization model. (e.g. forecast accuracy, factory reliability, production cycle times, order lead time, customer service levels).
• Propose stock level targets for agreement by the Outbound Supply Chain Planning management team (for both operational planning and budgeting processes) for both national and regional levels (for all stock holding points).
• Review stock targets on a periodic basis (usually quarterly).
• Make appropriate recommendation on stock where days cover either exceed maximum or are below minimum covers.
• Proactively drive the management of stock age, slow moving and obsolete stock across all stock holding points and make recommendations to clear stock.
• Compile the warehouse capacity plans.

Sales and Operations Planning

• Develop the overall supply plan that will be used as input into the company-wide S&OP process.
• Identify gaps and opportunities and make appropriate recommendations to close these with the Supply Planning Manager.

Innovation / Discontinuation Coordination

• Assist in the coordination for delivery of innovation into the supply chain.
• Work closely with the replenishment teams to ensure sufficient stock covers at the time of new innovation launches as well as assist in the bleed-out of stock.
• Report on a weekly basis on obsolete stock as well as plans to clear stock.
• Ensure stock of new items is received timeously for go-live.

Outbound Supply Chain Reporting

• Update the scorecards with the relevant KPI’s on a weekly/monthly basis and issue them.
• Issue the agreed national Outbound Supply Chain reports on a week/monthly basis as appropriate.
• Understand the variances against targets for key KPI’s and provide explanations and corrective actions required.
• Generate the agreed weekly supply planning packs and associated minutes.
• Drive this process with the Operation teams and the Ops leadership meetings.

Team Supervision

• Take ownership and accountability for tasks and activities as completed by the Assistant Capacity Planner.
• Ensure continuation of work if the Assistant Capacity Planner is not available.
• Monitor Assistant Capacity Planner performance and provide feedback in this regard to the Supply Planning Manager.
• Performance reviews to be done as required.

Team Coordination

• Take ownership and accountability for tasks and activities and demonstrate effective self-management in terms of planning, prioritising and self-development.
• Follow through to ensure that quality and productivity standards of work are consistently and accurately maintained.
• Inform relevant parties in the event of tasks or deadlines not met, the potential risks thereof and provide appropriate resolution.
• Support and drive the business core values.
• Manage colleagues and clients’ expectations and communicate appropriately.
• Demonstrate willingness to help others and “go the extra mile” to meet team targets and objectives.
• Champion training and development of self through utilising available training opportunities or contributing to the development of new training solutions relating to product costing in collaboration with national training specialists.
• Participate in regular performance appraisals and ensure that own targets and goals are clear and achievable.
• Maintain a basic appreciation and awareness of employee relations climate and ensure corrective action is taken where required in line with relevant legislation and company policy.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience Required for the Job

Qualifications and Experience

• Relevant Degree or Supply Chain Degree (e.g. SAPIC’s CPIM)
• 3-4 year's relevant industry experience

Skills and Competencies

• Computer literacy (advanced Excel and Powerpoint)
• Presentation skills
• Logical and Analytical skills of a high level

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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 analysis 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.

Knowledge:

• SAP and other ERP systems.
• Warehousing principles and practices.
• Company sales strategy and customer and product priorities.
• Supply chain principles and methodologies.
• Company and Group economics (supply and demand).
• Applicable legislation for warehouse and transport management (risk, health, safety and environmental).
• Transportation economics.