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.
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- The Inventory Controller is responsible for ensuring the integrity, accuracy and governance of inventory across the distribution centre through effective inventory control processes, stock reconciliation, inventory reporting and compliance with company policies and procedures.
- The role is accountable for maintaining accurate inventory records through robust inventory management practices, cycle count programmes, variance investigations and system controls. Working closely with Warehouse Operations, Planning, Manufacturing, Finance and Customer Service, the Inventory Controller ensures inventory accuracy supports operational efficiency, customer service and financial integrity.
- The incumbent drives continuous improvement by strengthening inventory controls, analysing stock variances, improving inventory visibility and ensuring compliance with inventory governance standards across the warehouse operation.
Key Responsibilities
Inventory Governance
- Develop and maintain effective inventory control processes that ensure inventory accuracy and integrity.
- Ensure inventory transactions comply with company policies, procedures and governance standards.
- Maintain effective inventory controls that minimise stock losses and inventory risks.
- Ensure inventory records accurately reflect physical stock holdings.
- Monitor inventory compliance and implement corrective actions where required.
- Support internal and external audit requirements relating to inventory.
- Promote disciplined inventory management practices across warehouse operations.
Inventory Accuracy & Stock Control
- Monitor inventory accuracy through ongoing stock verification and reconciliation activities.
- Investigate inventory variances and implement corrective actions to improve stock integrity.
- Ensure accurate recording of stock movements across all warehouse transactions.
- Analyse inventory trends and identify opportunities to improve stock accuracy.
- Monitor damaged, obsolete and slow-moving inventory.
- Collaborate with Warehouse Operations to improve inventory handling practices.
- Maintain agreed inventory accuracy performance standards
Cycle Counts & Stock Verification
- Develop and manage the site's cycle count programme.
- Ensure cycle counts are completed accurately and within agreed schedules.
- Validate inventory count results and investigate material variances.
- Coordinate full stock counts in accordance with company requirements.
- Identify recurring inventory discrepancies and recommend process improvements.
- Monitor completion of inventory verification activities.
- Ensure inventory adjustments are authorised and processed correctly.
Inventory Reporting & Analytics
- Develop daily, weekly and monthly inventory performance reports.
- Monitor inventory KPIs and identify trends requiring management attention.
- Analyse inventory movements and provide recommendations to improve stock performance.
- Prepare inventory variance reports with root cause analysis.
- Support operational decision-making through accurate inventory reporting.
- Maintain inventory dashboards and reporting tools.
- Provide meaningful inventory insights to operational management.
Systems & Inventory Administration
- Ensure inventory transactions are processed accurately within ERP and Warehouse Management Systems.
- Maintain inventory master data to support accurate reporting.
- Validate inventory transactions and investigate system exceptions.
- Ensure inventory records remain current and complete.
- Support integration between warehouse operations and inventory systems.
- Promote accurate inventory documentation and record keeping.
- Maintain inventory control documentation and procedures.
Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure compliance with inventory control policies and company standards.
- Monitor inventory risks and implement appropriate preventative controls.
- Investigate inventory losses and recommend corrective actions.
- Ensure inventory documentation supports regulatory and audit requirements.
- Promote compliance with safety, quality and operational standards.
- Support inventory-related audit activities.
- Maintain high standards of inventory governance.
Continuous Improvement
- Identify opportunities to improve inventory processes and stock control practices.
- Support warehouse optimisation initiatives through improved inventory management.
- Analyse inventory trends to identify opportunities for operational improvement.
- Promote standardisation of inventory control practices.
- Support automation of inventory reporting and reconciliation processes.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across inventory management.
- Foster a culture of inventory excellence.
People Leadership & Stakeholder Management
- Lead, coach and develop the Inventory Clerk to achieve high levels of performance.
- Allocate work priorities and monitor performance against agreed objectives.
- Build collaborative relationships with Warehouse, Planning, Manufacturing and Finance teams.
- Provide inventory guidance and support to operational stakeholders.
- Promote accountability and continuous improvement within the Inventory function.
- Support employee development and capability building.
- Foster a collaborative and customer-focused working environment.
Qualifications and Experience
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree or Diploma in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations Management or a related discipline.
- Working knowledge of inventory management principles.
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel.
- Knowledge of ERP and Warehouse Management Systems.
Ideal Qualifications
- Degree in Supply Chain Management or Logistics.
- SAP Warehouse Management certification.
- APICS CPIM or equivalent qualification.
- Lean Six Sigma certification.
- Inventory Management certification.
Minimum Experience
- Minimum 5 years' experience in inventory control, warehousing or logistics.
- Minimum 2 years' experience in an inventory supervisory role.
- Experience managing inventory accuracy programmes.
- Experience conducting cycle counts and stock reconciliations.
- Experience using ERP and Warehouse Management Systems.
- Experience analysing inventory data and preparing management reports.
- Experience supporting operational audits.
Ideal Experience
- Beverage or FMCG industry experience.
- Multi-site distribution experience.
- SAP Warehouse Management experience.
- Exposure to automated inventory management systems.
- Experience implementing inventory improvement initiatives.
- Experience working within a unionised environment.
Core Competencies
- Inventory Management
- Inventory Governance
- Stock Control
- Cycle Counting
- Inventory Reconciliation
- Inventory Reporting
- ERP Systems
- Warehouse Management Systems
- Inventory Analytics
- Root Cause Analysis
- Continuous Improvement
- Compliance
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