Distribution Hub Manager

Buffalo Sa; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Buffalo International is seeking a Hub Manager to lead a high-volume e-commerce courier hub in Cape Town. You will oversee inbound, sortation, dispatch, returns and exceptions while ensuring service levels, cut-off times and safety standards.

You will manage a multi‑shift operation, collaborating with transport, last‑mile delivery, customer service and security teams to drive continuous improvement, efficiency and a disciplined, safety-focused culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Operations Management, Logistics, Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years in logistics, courier, parcel, fulfilment, distribution or warehouse ops.
• 3+ years leading a large, complex, multi‑shift operation.
• Experience managing high parcel volumes, frontline workforces and operational budgets.
• Knowledge of warehouse, transport or parcel-management systems and scanning tech.
• Strong reporting and data analysis capabilities.
• Willingness to work flexible hours including nights, weekends and public holidays.

Responsibilities

• Take end-to-end responsibility for the hub’s daily operations across inbound, sortation, staging, dispatch, returns and parcel exceptions.
• Ensure parcels move through the hub within agreed processing and delivery timelines.
• Develop daily/weekly operating plans based on forecast volumes, capacity, staffing and transport schedules.
• Manage peak periods and seasonal surges with capacity and contingency planning.
• Monitor operations in real time and coordinate rapid corrective action.
• Lead and develop Shift Managers, Supervisors, Team Leaders and frontline staff.
• Deliver service levels for receiving, sorting, dispatch and on-time departure.
• Provide accurate operational reports, forecasts and performance updates to senior management.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Data analysis

Strategic planning

Operational excellence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management / Logistics / Supply Chain / Industrial Engineering

Tools

WMS

Scanning tech

Job description

The Hub Manager is responsible for the safe, efficient and cost-effective operation of a large, high-volume e-commerce courier hub. The role oversees inbound receiving, parcel sorting, dispatch, returns and exception handling while ensuring that service-level agreements, delivery cut-off times, quality standards and customer commitments are consistently achieved.The Hub Manager leads a multi-shift operation and works closely with transport, last-mile delivery, customer service, security, facilities, technology and commercial teams. This position requires a hands‑on leader who can manage operational complexity, respond quickly to changing parcel volumes and build a disciplined, accountable and safety-focused culture.

Operational management

• Take end-to-end responsibility for the hub's daily operations across inbound, sortation, staging, dispatch, returns and parcel exceptions.
• Ensure parcels move through the hub accurately and within agreed processing and delivery timelines.
• Develop daily and weekly operating plans based on forecast volumes, available capacity, staffing levels and transport schedules.
• Manage peak periods, promotional events and seasonal volume surges through effective capacity and contingency planning.
• Monitor operations in real time, identify bottlenecks and coordinate rapid corrective action.
• Maintain effective shift handovers and consistent operating standards across all shifts.
• Ensure contingency plans are in place for system outages, equipment failures, severe weather, transport disruptions and other operational risks.

People leadership

• Lead, coach and develop Shift Managers, Supervisors, Team Leaders and frontline employees.
• Set clear performance expectations and establish accountability for safety, productivity, quality and service.
• Ensure staffing and shift structures are aligned with forecast workload and operating requirements.
• Manage attendance, overtime, employee relations and performance issues in line with company policies and applicable labour legislation.
• Build a high-performance culture based on teamwork, discipline, continuous improvement and customer focus.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training, succession planning and talent development.
• Promote effective communication and employee engagement across a large, diverse workforce.

Service and performance management

• Deliver agreed service levels for receiving, sorting, dispatch and on-time departure.
• Track and improve operational performance against key measures, including:
  • Parcels processed per hour
  • Cost per parcel
  • On-time dispatch and departure
  • Sortation accuracy
  • Misroutes and failed scans
  • Parcel loss and damage
  • Backlog and dwell time
  • Returns turnaround time
  • Labour productivity and overtime
  • Fleet or line-haul utilisation
  • Safety incidents and employee attendance
• Conduct regular performance reviews and implement recovery plans where targets are not achieved.
• Provide accurate operational reports, forecasts and performance updates to senior management.

Cost and resource management

• Manage the hub's operating budget and control labour, transport, consumables, maintenance and other operating expenses.
• Optimise workforce deployment, shift patterns and equipment utilisation without compromising safety or service.
• Review cost and productivity trends and implement sustainable efficiency improvements.
• Approve expenditure within delegated authority and maintain appropriate financial controls.
• Support annual budgeting, resource planning and capital‑expenditure proposals.

Quality, security and compliance

• Ensure compliance with health and safety requirements, courier regulations, company policies and standard operating procedures.
• Maintain parcel security, chain of custody and accurate scanning throughout the operation.
• Reduce losses, theft, fraud, damage, misroutes and unauthorised parcel handling.
• Coordinate incident investigations and ensure corrective and preventative actions are completed.
• Maintain operational readiness for internal, customer and regulatory audits.
• Ensure controlled items, high-value shipments and customer data are handled appropriately.
• Work closely with security teams to maintain effective access control, surveillance and loss‑prevention measures.

Continuous improvement and technology

• Analyse operational data to identify root causes, recurring failures and improvement opportunities.
• Lead continuous-improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma or comparable methodologies where appropriate.
• Standardise workflows and embed improvements through documented procedures, training and performance controls.
• Support the implementation and optimisation of warehouse, transport, scanning and sortation systems.
• Ensure employees use operational systems and equipment correctly and that master data and reporting remain accurate.
• Partner with technology and engineering teams to resolve system and automation issues with minimal operational disruption.
• Coordinate closely with line‑haul, middle‑mile and last‑mile delivery teams to maintain reliable parcel flow.
• Work with commercial and customer‑service teams to resolve escalations and protect key client relationships.
• Manage relationships with labour providers, transport partners, maintenance contractors and other suppliers.
• Communicate capacity constraints, operational risks and service impacts clearly and promptly.
• Represent the hub in regional and national operational meetings.

Minimum requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in Operations Management, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering or a related field.
• At least 7 years' experience in logistics, courier, parcel, fulfilment, distribution or warehouse operations.
• At least 3 years' experience leading a large, complex and preferably multi-shift operation.
• Demonstrated experience managing high parcel volumes, frontline workforces and operational budgets.
• Working knowledge of warehouse, transport or parcel-management systems and scanning technology.
• Strong competence in operational reporting and data analysis.
• Willingness and ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends and public holidays, when operationally required.

Preferred experience

• Experience in e-commerce fulfilment, express parcel delivery or last-mile logistics.
• Experience managing automated or semi-automated sortation equipment.
• Lean, Six Sigma, continuous-improvement or project-management certification.
• Experience managing seasonal peaks and rapid volume growth.
• Knowledge of applicable labour, occupational health and safety, transport and data-protection requirements.