Inventory Manager

Takealot; Durban; On-site; ZAR 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a talented Inventory Manager to join their dynamic team in Durban. This role offers an exciting opportunity to manage inventory processes, implement improvements, and lead a dedicated operations team. You'll be at the forefront of ensuring stock accuracy and optimizing customer experience, all within a vibrant, entrepreneurial environment. If you're a data-driven problem solver with a passion for e-commerce and a commitment to excellence, this position is perfect for you. Join a company that values innovation and teamwork while making a significant impact in the e-commerce landscape.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of experience in inventory management, preferably in logistics and distribution.
• At least 5 years in a management role with proven inventory management experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage and ensure that inventory is well organized and controlled to support production.
• Implement improvement processes and maintain policies to minimize costs.
• Drive process improvements through data-driven decisions.

Skills

Data Extraction

Analytical Skills

Decision-Making

Customer Service Orientation

Problem-Solving

Inventory Management

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Education

Relevant Inventory Qualification (Degree or Diploma)

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics Navision

Warehouse Management System

ERP Systems

Job description

takealot, a leading South African online retailer, is looking for a highly talented Inventory Manager to join our team in the Durban Distribution Centre.

We are a young, dynamic, hyper-growth company seeking smart, creative, hardworking people with integrity. We offer a market-related total remuneration package that provides full flexibility, a great work environment, and an engaging challenge for those eager to build something great.

This position reports to the National Inventory Manager.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Manage and ensure that inventory is well organized and controlled to support production and business goals.
• Implement improvement processes, maintain policies, procedures, and systems to minimize costs and maximize working capital.
• Ensure all work areas are clean, tidy, and safe for staff (housekeeping).
• Manage and enforce company policies and procedures within the inventory department.
• Manage stock takes, cycle counts, and replenishments.
• Ensure stock accuracy and accessible locations.
• Control pick failures and conduct stock investigations.
• Manage daily deal stock.
• Drive process improvements through data-driven decisions.
• Develop and implement inventory management strategies.
• Optimize customer experience by ensuring the right product quantities are available at the right time and place.
• Audit inventory management tools and systems, ensuring settings are correct and optimized; automate processes where possible.
• Own inventory reporting, develop planning models, and manage product transitions and exposure.
• Produce daily reports to monitor critical inventory processes.
• Provide effective leadership and direction to the operations team, fostering communication and involvement to meet key business drivers.
• Manage staff performance through appraisals, coaching, and disciplinary procedures.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and environmental standards and legislation.
• Implement continuous improvement measures within the department.
• Align inventory reports with financial reports.
• Monitor LPN reports for inbound, outbound, returns, recovery, and RFC operations.
• Oversee put-away functions and stock filing.
• Manage all projects and stock movements.
• Identify slow-moving, dead, and expired stock and manage associated risks.
• Monitor stock density by location and develop strategies to reduce impact on production.
• Develop inventory solutions for various product types.
• Coordinate with finance on month-end processes.
• Clear daily pick and pack not founds.
• Conduct daily audits of put-away processes for accuracy.
• Identify and mitigate high-risk areas and theft hotspots in collaboration with risk management.

Qualifications:

• Relevant inventory qualification (degree or diploma).
• 5-10 years of experience in inventory management.
• Preferably in logistics, supply chain, warehousing, and distribution environments.
• At least 5 years in a management role.

Attributes:

• Excellent data extraction, analytical skills, and decision-making based on data.
• Organized, detail-oriented, with proven inventory management experience.
• Self-starter, tenacious in problem-solving.
• Customer service-oriented within the supply chain environment.
• Proficient in MS Office and inventory management systems.
• Experience in creating operational plans and presenting to senior management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Well-organized with good business administration skills.
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure, with initiative and attention to detail.
• Willingness to learn, adapt, and improve.
• Team player, flexible, positive attitude, and able to work in a multicultural environment.
• Willing to work overtime when required (unpaid).

The Environment:

• Entrepreneurial, dynamic, customer-centric, fun, and ambitious to be Africa's leading e-commerce company.
• We value hard work, ownership, teamwork, solutions, and openness to feedback and innovation.
• We are focused on output, love what we do, and aim to create impactful solutions.

We seek an Extra Ordinary Mind who:

• Is forthright but respectful.
• Is an expert in doing, designing, and executing.
• Is analytical and data-driven in decision-making.
• Is competitive, self-directed, and strives for excellence.
• Is passionate about e-commerce and delivering a world-class customer experience.
• Thrives under change, is entrepreneurial, and constantly seeks improvements.
• Can think from a business perspective, using technical and product insights.
• Is curious, challenges the status quo, and enjoys iteration.
• Is collaborative and innovative.
• Wants to develop new concepts for takealot.
• Thinks like an owner, with integrity, intelligence, and a hardworking attitude.

If you meet these qualities, you are an Extraordinary Mind. Join us!

Takealot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants from previously disadvantaged groups and people with disabilities will be given preference.

Required Experience: Manager

Key Skills: Kanban, Forecasting, Inventory Control, Math, Warehouse Experience, Microsoft Dynamics Navision, Warehouse Distribution Experience, Computer Literacy, Warehouse Management System, ERP Systems, Supervising Experience, MRP