Operations Manager

Ultra Personnel; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 720,000 - 960,000; Full time

Job summary

Ultra Personnel is seeking an Operations Manager in Gauteng to oversee end-to-end operational activities including inbound and outbound logistics, inventory management, demand planning, and delivery performance.

The role emphasizes analytical, process-driven leadership to maintain optimal inventory levels, execute efficient warehouse operations, and drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years in Operations, Supply Chain, Logistics, or Warehouse Management.
• Experience in inventory, warehousing and distribution functions.
• Experience in demand planning and forecasting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee inventory accuracy across warehouse locations and control stock levels.
• Manage inbound receipt, put-away and supplier coordination to ensure timeliness.
• Lead outbound order processing, picking, packing and dispatch.
• Develop and maintain demand forecasts and align with Sales/Finance
• Deliver customer service excellence and OTIF delivery performance.
• Drive process improvements, KPI dashboards and cost optimization.
• Lead and develop warehouse staff and ensure safety compliance.
• Monitor KPIs: OTIF, stock accuracy, and warehouse productivity.
• Coordinate with third-party logistics and transport partners.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Process-driven

Multi-priority management

Education

Bachelor's Degree or Diploma in Supply Chain Management

Related professional qualifications

Tools

Sage X3

Job description

The Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing the end-to-end operational activities of the business, including inbound coordination, outbound distribution, inventory management, demand planning, warehouse operations, and customer delivery performance. The role ensures that customer orders are fulfilled accurately and on time while maintaining optimal inventory levels and operational efficiency. The successful candidate will be highly analytical, process-driven, and capable of managing multiple priorities within a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

Inventory Management

• Manage and maintain inventory accuracy across all warehouse locations.
• Ensure appropriate stock levels are maintained to meet customer demand while minimizing excess inventory.
• Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies.
• Develop and implement inventory control processes and best practices.
• Coordinate and lead periodic stock counts and annual stock takes.
• Ensure inventory records within Sage X3 are accurate and up to date.

Inbound Operations

• Manage the receipt, verification, and put-away of incoming inventory.
• Coordinate with suppliers and logistics partners to ensure timely receipt of goods.
• Monitor inbound shipment schedules and proactively address delays.
• Ensure compliance with company procedures and quality standards during receiving activities.

Outbound Operations

• Oversee order processing, picking, packing, and dispatch activities.
• Develop and manage daily dispatch plans to ensure customer delivery commitments are met.
• Work closely with transport providers and customers to ensure deliveries arrive on time and in full.
• Monitor operational performance and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Demand Planning & Supply Chain Coordination

• Develop and maintain demand forecasts using historical sales data and business intelligence.
• Work closely with Sales, Finance, and Procurement teams to align inventory availability with forecasted demand.
• Identify potential supply risks and develop mitigation plans.
• Support inventory replenishment planning and purchasing recommendations.

Customer Service & Delivery Performance

• Ensure customer ordering and delivery expectations are consistently achieved.
• Proactively manage order fulfilment risks and communicate any potential delays.
• Drive improvements in customer satisfaction through operational excellence.
• Support the resolution of customer complaints relating to deliveries, stock availability, and logistics.

Process Improvement & Reporting

• Develop and monitor operational KPIs and performance dashboards.
• Utilize advanced Excel reporting tools to provide operational insights.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, inventory turns, delivery performance, and overall operational efficiency.
• Lead initiatives focused on continuous improvement and cost optimization.

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop warehouse and operational staff.
• Establish performance objectives and conduct regular performance reviews.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and company policies.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Customer Service & Delivery

• On-Time In-Full (OTIF) delivery performance.
• Customer order fulfilment rate.
• Customer delivery satisfaction metrics.

Inventory Management

• Inventory accuracy percentage.
• Stock take accuracy and variance levels.
• Inventory days on hand.
• Reduction in stock obsolescence and write-offs.

Operational Excellence

• Dispatch plan execution.
• Warehouse productivity and efficiency.
• Order processing turnaround time.
• Inbound receiving accuracy.

Planning & Forecasting

• Forecast accuracy.
• Inventory availability.
• Reduction in stock-outs.
• Working capital optimization through inventory management.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with the company's Quality Management System (QMS) requirements and support the maintenance of ISO 13485 certification.
• Adhere to all documented procedures, work instructions, and quality standards relating to inventory, warehousing, and distribution activities.
• Support internal and external audits and implement corrective actions where required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or Diploma in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations Management, Business Management, or a related field.
• Relevant professional supply chain or logistics qualifications will be advantageous.

Experience

• Minimum 3 to 5 years' experience in Operations, Supply Chain, Logistics, or Warehouse Management.
• Proven experience managing inventory, warehousing, and distribution functions.
• Experience in demand planning and inventory forecasting.
• Experience managing third-party logistics providers and transport partners.
• Experience leading and developing operational teams.