Area Logistics Manager

Lactalis South Africa; Durban; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the FMCG sector is looking for an Area Logistics Manager to oversee and enhance operational efficiency across the region. This role requires a leader with a strong background in logistics management, a customer-oriented approach, and the ability to foster a high-performance culture. The manager will be instrumental in linking logistics with business strategies while driving continuous improvement initiatives to elevate service delivery standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years' experience in logistics (5 years in management)
• Experience in FMCG environment required.
• Willingness to drive positive change.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage responsibilities of the Area Logistics Leadership Team.
• Optimize transportation and resource usage for efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with company policies for transit and delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem Solving

Decision Making

Service Orientation

Education

B Degree in Logistics and/or Supply Chain Management

Tools

MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint)

ERP System

Job description

Role Purpose

The Area Logistics Manager is responsible for maintaining sound operational output throughout the region to support the company’s expectations of the logistical function. Performance must be achieved through operational excellence, people leadership, and a continuous improvement mindset, balancing efficiency results and customer service delivery. Additionally, the role requires professional and morally sound work ethics, embedded across all departments in the region.

Requirements

• B Degree in Logistics and/or Supply Chain Management.
• Computer literacy with knowledge of integrated warehouse and transportation management systems, and MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint).
• Working knowledge of an ERP system.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in logistics (distribution), with at least 5 years in a management role.
• Experience within the FMCG environment.
• Service-oriented mindset, both internally and externally.
• Willingness to embrace and drive positive change.
• Ability to work long hours under pressure to produce exceptional results.
• Strong decision-making and leadership skills.
• Customer-oriented with assertiveness and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication skills, capable of interacting across various stakeholder levels.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Plan, organize, and manage the responsibilities of the Area Logistics Leadership Team within a complex region.
2. Demonstrate excellent people leadership by fostering a positive performance culture.
3. Create and monitor regional budgets to ensure expenses align with approved budgets.
4. Optimize transportation, routing, and equipment usage for efficiency.
5. Focus on secondary distribution, utilizing systems to improve time and resource efficiency while ensuring compliance.
6. Manage logistics operations to meet cost, productivity, accuracy, and efficiency targets.
7. Analyze financial impacts of transportation decisions such as routing and supplier changes.
8. Use financial data and KPIs to promote continuous improvement and savings.
9. Implement and manage warehouse and transportation systems to set and achieve efficiency targets.
10. Coordinate activities within primary and secondary logistics to optimize resource use.
11. Train and support regional managers and staff on logistics strategies and efficiencies.
12. Maintain operational metrics, reports, and efficiencies supporting the national logistics function.
13. Ensure compliance with company policies for product transit and delivery.
14. Collaborate with other departments to integrate logistics with business processes.
15. Promote a professional, respectful, and ethically sound work environment.