Operating Officer - Distribution

EnableSA; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

EnableSA in Port Elizabeth is seeking an Operating Officer – Distribution to oversee the group’s distribution, supply chain, and operational backbone for optometric and audiology networks. The role ensures seamless integration across supply chain, IT, product management, warehousing, logistics and finance to support franchisees and retail operations.

You will lead multidisciplinary teams, drive warehousing efficiency, manage supplier negotiations, and implement data-driven improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in the specified field.
• 8–10 years of senior operational, logistics, or distribution management experience.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams across supply chain, IT, and finance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the Distribution Division’s strategic plan aligned to the Group’s objectives.
• Lead IT, Operations, Brand & Product, and Finance to achieve integrated performance.
• Drive innovation in distribution models, supplier partnerships, and technology platforms.
• Represent the Distribution Division at Executive level and governance.
• Oversee the full product supply chain—from supplier negotiations and imports to in-country distribution and cross-border logistics.
• Ensure reliable and cost-effective product availability to franchises and retail outlets.
• Optimize warehousing, stock management, and order fulfilment keeping ISO standards.
• Drive continuous improvement in operations, logistics, and call center performance.
• Oversee new product and brand introductions aligning with Group strategy.
• Support supplier relationships and clinical quality standards in optometry and audiology.
• Drive pricing strategies balancing competitiveness, margins, and sustainability.
• Collaborate with IT to ensure secure systems for inventory control and reporting.
• Champion data-driven decision-making, digital transformation, and system automation.

Skills

Strategic planning

Leadership

Cross-functional teams

Logistics optimization

Import/export

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain

Job description

Port Elizabeth, South Africa | Posted on 01/12/2026

The Operating Officer – Distribution isresponsible for overseeing and optimising the full distribution, supply chain,and operational backbone of the Group’s optometric and audiology network. Thisrole ensures seamless integration across supply chain, IT systems, productmanagement, warehousing, logistics, and financial control, supporting thecommercial success of all franchisees and retail operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop andimplement the Distribution Division’s strategic plan aligned to the Group’soperational and growth objectives.
• Lead andcoordinate the activities of IT, Operations, Brand & Product, and Financedepartments to achieve integrated and efficient business performance.
• Driveinnovation in distribution models, supplier partnerships, and technologyplatforms to support future expansion into new markets.
• Representthe Distribution Division at Executive level, contributing to group-widestrategy, performance reviews, and governance.
• Oversee thefull product supply chain — from supplier negotiations and imports toin-country distribution and cross-border logistics.
• Ensurereliable and cost-effective product availability to all franchisees and retailoutlets, including neighbouring and emerging African markets.
• Optimisewarehousing, stock management, and order fulfilment processes, ensuringalignment with ISO and quality management standards.
• Drivecontinuous improvement and efficiency in operations, logistics, and customercall centre performance.
• Oversee newproduct and brand introductions, ensuring relevance, quality, and alignmentwith Group strategy.
• Support theHead of Brand & Product in managing and building supplier relationships,and clinical quality standards in both optometry and audiology.
• Driveproduct pricing strategies that balance competitiveness, margin integrity, andfranchisee sustainability.
• Partnerwith the Head of IT to ensure robust, secure, and efficient systems forinventory control, order processing, distribution tracking, and reporting.
• Championdata-driven decision-making, digital transformation, and system automation to enhance operational agility and transparency.

Requirements

• Bachelor’sdegree in supply chain management, Operations, Business Administration, orrelated field.
• Minimum 8 –10 years’ experience in senior operational, logistics, or distributionmanagement roles, preferably within retail, FMCG, or healthcare sectors.
• Provenexperience in leading multidisciplinary teams across supply chain, IT, andfinance functions.
• Strongunderstanding of import/export regulations, supplier negotiations, andcross-border trade.
• Demonstratedability to drive transformation, cost optimisation, and system integration atscale.