Vector Logistics is a leading multi-temperature logistics company in Southern Africa, providing integrated supply chain, sales, and merchandising services, with a primary focus on the food industry. The company is headquartered in Westville, South Africa, and operates an extensive network of over 20 distribution centers and 440 vehicles. Vector offers comprehensive services including warehousing (frozen, chilled, and ambient), transportation, import/export management, and credit management. Vector prioritizes environmental sustainability, with initiatives including investments in solar energy and the use of electric trucks to lower carbon emissions.

Job Purpose

• To oversee the safe receipt, storage, retrieval and timely dispatch of goods during the day, thereby meeting customer service levels and reducing costs.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy Execution:

• Work closely with the Logistics Manager and the transport management team to ensure the delivery of an integrated supply chain benefit and strategic target achievement.
• Drive the implementation of improvements in warehouse operations to achieve significant gains in efficiency.
• Ensure the implementation of warehouse operations and maintenance policies and procedures throughout the hub.
• Manage the system for keeping stock control systems up to date and plan future capacity requirements based on forward planning.

Operations Management:

• Control and monitor inventory levels and replenishment processes.
• Maintain the physical condition of the warehouse(s) by planning and implementing new design layouts in conjunction with the Night Manager; inspecting facilities and equipment; issuing work orders for repair and requisitions for replacement.
• Manage warehouse operational requirements by deploying warehouse operational and administrative employees and following up on work results.
• Continuously consider cost reducing strategies over all activities of the warehouse.
• Manage the housekeeping of the warehouse(s) and surrounding area.
• Plan the arrangement of goods within the warehouse and ensure special requirements for certain stock, such as chilled goods or fragile products are met.
• Manage the system of picking, checking and loading to ensure productivity and compliance targets are met.
• Ensures that all tasks, activities and operations that are carried out on the day shift are coordinated with night duties and activities.
• Effectively and in a timely manner communicate with the Logistics Manager and Night Warehouse Manager regarding any issues, exceptions or problems occurring on the nightshift that warrant their attention.
• Ensure customer orders are filled and placed on trucks in the proper order as described in the loading procedures.
• Ensure that all orders leaving the warehouse are correctly packed and damage free.
• Manage the execution of the transport plan.
• Oversee returns and the document process back into SAP.
• Perform regular system health checks regarding replenishments, transfers, returns not completed.

Warehouse Administration Management:

• Oversee the warehouse administration, ensuring that all goods receipting and issuing documents are accurately and promptly processed.
• Monitor the warehouse billing status.
• Ensure computerised administration and automated storage and retrieval systems are accurately maintained.
• Analyse and provide the inventory report, IN/OUT status report, dead stock report, goods age report, consumption report, manpower status report to the Logistics Manager.
• Audit daily labour and billing reports.

Warehouse Maintenance Management:

• Oversee the planned and unplanned maintenance of warehouse equipment.

Customers Service Level Management:

•  Resolve issues encountered around damaged or short stock.

Risk Management:

• Ensure ISO compliance throughout the warehouse(s), including health and safety and food safety.
• Conduct daily health inspections and risk compliance inspections incorporating the following: forklift inspections, lighting inspections, reachtruck inspections, facility inspections and damaged stock.
• Participate in the risk committee and in HIRA workstudies.
• Ensure warehouse compliance with all national and provincial legislation and regulations, international SHERQ standards and with company policy.
• Ensure the safeguarding of warehouse operations and contents by establishing and monitoring security procedures and protocols.

Team Management:

•  Monitor team performance and provide regular performance feedback.
• Coach and support the team where necessary to achieve objectives.
• Lead the team towards meeting the strategy and targets through regular communication and utilisation of the full organisational talent management tool set.
• Address poor performance in individuals and teams in accordance with company policy and the relevant legislation.
• Conduct regular meetings and ensure that records are kept and shared across the team and that action plans agreed to within team meetings are delivered upon.

Key Relationships

Internal:

• Transport team
• Broader planning team
• SHEQ and risk management
• Finance administration team

External:

• Customers
• Transport contractors

Qualifications, Skills and Experience Required for the Job

Qualifications and Experience

• Diploma or degree in Warehouse/Logistics Management.
• Valid Code EB drivers’ licence.
• 5 to 8 years’ experience in a warehouse environment.

Skills and Competencies
Skills:

• System skills (SAP MM and BW, MS Office skills prerequisite).
• Verbal and written communication.
• Computer literacy.
• Interpersonal.
• Logical thinking.
• Analytical thinking.
• Numeracy.
• Organisational awareness.

Knowledge:

• Stock control principles and tools.
• Inbound, outbound and stock handling practices.
• SHEQ legislation and ISO standards.
• Warehouse management.