Supply Chain Director - Perishables

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 2,400,000 - 3,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive salary package

Medical aid

Life insurance

Pension fund

Company car or car allowance

Relocation assistance

Career progression opportunities

Challenging strategic role

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Supply Chain Director for its Durban, KwaZulu-Natal hub. This senior role requires a strategic leader to optimize end-to-end supply chains for perishable FMCG products, balancing cost, speed, and quality.

You will drive procurement, inventory, warehousing, logistics, and cold chain operations, build high-performing teams, and implement best-in-class technology and risk management.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in SCM, Logistics, Operations Management, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive FMCG and perishable goods experience.
• Proven end-to-end supply chain leadership and cost reduction achievements.
• Strong leadership, team management, and vendor relationship skills.
• Expertise in international and domestic logistics, warehousing, and cold chain.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic supply chain plans to optimize efficiency and service levels for perishable goods.
• Oversee procurement, inventory management, warehousing, logistics, and transportation.
• Lead and mentor a large supply chain team toward high performance.
• Negotiate favorable terms with suppliers and logistics partners.
• Implement advanced supply chain technologies to improve visibility and control.
• Ensure compliance with regulations and safety standards for perishable products.
• Manage the supply chain budget and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Collaborate with Sales, Operations, and Finance to align strategy.
• Identify and mitigate risks with contingency plans.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Vendor management

Problem solving

Education

Master's degree in SCM / Logistics / Operations Management

Tools

WMS

TMS

ERP systems

Supply chain planning software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly growing leader in the **FMCG** sector specializing in perishable goods, is seeking an experienced and visionary Supply Chain Director to oversee operations from their **Durban, KwaZulu-Natal** hub. This senior leadership role requires a strategic thinker with a deep expertise in managing complex supply chains, ensuring efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and timely delivery of temperature-sensitive products. The ideal candidate will be adept at optimizing logistics, inventory management, and procurement processes within a fast-paced environment. You will be responsible for setting the strategic direction of the supply chain, implementing best practices, and driving continuous improvement initiatives to support the company's growth objectives. This is a critical role impacting the entire value chain, from sourcing to final delivery, and requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and risk mitigation. The **Durban** location, with its significant port infrastructure, is ideal for managing international and domestic logistics.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic supply chain plans to optimize efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance service levels for perishable goods.
• Oversee all aspects of the supply chain, including procurement, inventory management, warehousing, logistics, and transportation.
• Lead and mentor a team of supply chain professionals, fostering a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.
• Negotiate with suppliers and logistics partners to secure favorable terms and service agreements.
• Implement and manage advanced supply chain technologies and systems to improve visibility and control.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations, quality standards, and safety protocols, particularly for perishable products.
• Develop and manage the supply chain budget, identifying cost‑saving opportunities without compromising quality or speed.
• Collaborate with other departments (e.g., Sales, Operations, Finance) to align supply chain strategies with business objectives.
• Proactively identify and mitigate supply chain risks, developing contingency plans.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in supply chain management, with a significant focus on **FMCG** and perishable goods.
• Proven track record of successfully managing end‑to‑end supply chains and driving significant cost reductions and efficiency improvements.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with experience in leading large teams.
• Expertise in supply chain planning software, WMS, TMS, and ERP systems.
• Deep understanding of international and domestic logistics, warehousing, and cold chain management.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making abilities.
• Exceptional negotiation and vendor management skills.
• Must be based in or willing to relocate to **Durban, KwaZulu‑Natal**.
• Eligibility to work in **South Africa**.

Benefits

• Highly competitive executive salary with substantial performance‑based bonuses.
• Comprehensive executive benefits package including medical aid, life insurance, and pension fund.
• Company car or car allowance.
• Significant opportunities for strategic impact and career progression within a growing organization.
• Relocation assistance may be provided.
• A challenging and rewarding role in a key strategic location in **Durban**.