Fuel Depot Manager

Abantu Staffing Solutions; Oos-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Abantu Staffing Solutions is seeking a Fuel Depot Manager to oversee the safe, legal and profitable daily operation of a petroleum depot. You will ensure receipt, storage, stock control and timely dispatch of diesel while maintaining compliance with OHS and environmental standards.

This senior role requires extensive depot or bulk liquid storage experience, strong leadership, and a track record of safety, quality control and regulatory audits.

Qualifications

• Matric/ Grade 12 is a minimum educational requirement.
• National Diploma or degree in engineering, operations management, logistics or related field is required.
• 7+ years’ experience in petroleum depot, terminal or bulk liquid storage operations with at least 3 years in a depot or team on a hazardous site.
• Recognised health and safety qualification such as SAMTRAC or NEBOSH IGC.
• Working knowledge of OHS Act, NEMA, Petroleum Products Act and related licensing and standards.
• Experience with stock reconciliation, tank gauging and product quality control.
• Experience on Major Hazard Installation or ISO-certified site is highly advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead SHEQ system, enforce depot safety rules and manage permits to work.
• Ensure safe, on-time receipt, offloading and loading of deliveries with proper documentation.
• Own depot stock, perform daily tank dips and stock reconciliation.
• Maintain compliance with site licence, environmental authorisation and licensing requirements.
• Oversee planned maintenance, manage contractors and safety files.
• Recruit, train and supervise the depot team; manage rosters and performance.
• Coordinate with Sales/Operations to ensure accurate and timely customer loading; handle queries.
• Prepare and control the depot budget; monitor costs, overtime and contractor spend.
• Secure site access, oversee security systems, and investigate incidents.

Skills

Stock reconciliation

Tank gauging

Product quality control

Leadership

Safety management

Education

National Diploma or degree in engineering (chemical, mechanical or industrial) or operations/logistics

Matric/Grade 12

Job description

Job overview:

• The Fuel Depot Manager is responsible for the safe, legal and profitable daily operation of the Markman depot, ensuring the accurate receipt, secure storage, stock control, and timely dispatch of diesel to customers

Minimum Requirements:

• Matric/ Grade 12

• National Diploma or degree in engineering (chemical, mechanical or industrial), operations management, logistics or a related field

• 7+ years' experience in petroleum depot, terminal or bulk liquid storage operations, including at least 3 years managing a depot or a team on a hazardous site

• Recognised health and safety qualification, such as SAMTRAC or NEBOSH IGC

• Working knowledge of the OHS Act and its regulations (including MHI and Hazardous Chemical Agents), NEMA, the Petroleum Products Act and site licensing, and SANS 10089-1, 10131, 10108, 342 and 10231

• Proven experience with stock reconciliation, tank gauging and product quality control

• Experience on a Major Hazard Installation or a site certified to ISO 45001, ISO 14001 or ISO 9001 (Highly Advantageous)

Main Responsibilities:

Safety, health and environment:

• Acts as the s16(2) appointee and leads the depot's SHEQ system with the SHEQ Officer

• Enforces the depot golden rules

• Approves and audits permits to work (hot work, confined space, work at height)

• Makes sure bonding and earthing, overfill protection, fire detection and firefighting equipment work and are tested

• Leads emergency response and runs drills at least twice a year

• Reports every incident within 24 hours and drives investigations to closure

Product receipt and loading:

• Plans and controls tanker offloading and customer loading schedules

• Makes sure every receipt is sampled and tested against SANS 342 before release, with retained samples kept

• Keeps loading bays running safely and on time, with correct documentation (delivery notes, loading certificates, dangerous goods paperwork)

Stock control and quality:

• Owns depot stock. Runs daily tank dips and stock reconciliation, investigates gains and losses above set limits and reports them

• Manages tank water draining, product segregation and housekeeping to prevent contamination

• Makes sure meters are calibrated and verified under the Legal Metrology Act.

Compliance and licensing:

• Keeps the depot compliant with its site licence, environmental authorisation, municipal fire certificate and OHS Act requirements, including any Major Hazard Installation obligations

• Maintains the legal register with the SHEQ Officer, prepares for inspections and audits, and closes out findings on time

Assets and maintenance:

• Runs a planned maintenance programme for tanks, pumps, pipework, meters, bunds, the oil-water separator, electrical and fire systems

• Manages contractors under s37(2) mandatary agreements and safety files

• Plans tank inspections and cleaning

• Raises capital needs and supports any expansion projects

People leadership:

• Recruits, inducts, trains and manages the depot team

• Sets shift rosters, manages performance, leave, overtime and discipline in line with company policy and labour law

• Makes sure all statutory appointments (safety reps, first aiders, fire marshals) are in place and trained

• Builds a culture where anyone can stop unsafe work

Customers and stakeholders:

• Works with Sales and Operations so customer orders are loaded accurately and on time

• Handles depot-related customer queries and complaints

• Manages relationships with carriers, contractors, neighbours, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, NERSA and other authorities

Cost control and reporting:

• Prepares and manages the depot operating budget

• Controls operating costs, overtime and contractor spend

• Produces daily stock and throughput reports, and monthly operational, SHEQ and cost reports for the Operations & Supply Manager

Security:

• Controls access to site, product and documents

• Manages the security contractor, CCTV and seal controls to prevent theft and fraud

• Investigates any security breach

Key Skills and Competencies:

• Safety leadership

• Operational discipline

• Problem solving

• People management

• Customer focus

• Integrity

• Communication