Warehouse Manager East Region

Bayer; Germiston; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

A global leader in agriculture is seeking a Warehouse Manager in Germiston, South Africa to oversee efficient storage, distribution, and inventory management. The role requires strong leadership skills, experience in HSE compliance, and proficiency in SAP. You will manage multi-site teams and drive operational excellence while ensuring a safe work environment. Ideal candidates should have a degree in Supply Chain Management and at least 5 years of relevant experience. This position is crucial for maintaining high inventory accuracy and effective logistical operations.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Health and wellness benefits

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years in Distribution and Warehousing.
• Experience in managing HSE programs.
• Fluency in English; Afrikaans is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily warehouse operations ensuring compliance.
• Manage inventory accuracy and logistics.
• Develop cost-saving initiatives across operations.

Skills

Leadership

Safety Management

Inventory Control

SAP Knowledge

Problem Solving

Communication

Education

Degree in Supply Chain Management

Tools

SAP

MS Office

Job description

Purpose:

• Being part of the Supply Chain Operations Team delivering to the mission of Supply Products that Wins Customers.
• The main purpose of a warehouse manager is to oversee the efficient storage, distribution, and inventory management of goods to ensure timely fulfillment of orders and compliance with safety regulations.
• This pivotal role is accountable for driving operational excellence, ensuring robust distribution and warehouse integrity, achieving superior inventory accuracy, maximizing cost efficiencies, and ensuring compliant adherence to all
• Environmental, Safety, and Health (HSE) policies and regulatory standards across the entire regional network
• The incumbent will manage multi-site teams, foster continuous improvement, and ensure a safe and economical warehousing and distribution environment.
  
  

Scope (global, regional or local):

• Local
  
  

Key Tasks:

Strategic Leadership & People Management:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of strategic initiatives for Distribution and Warehousing, Inventory, Transport, and comprehensive complaint HSE programs across the regional network.
• Provide strategic leadership to the warehouse team by fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement; effectively manage and develop staff through training, performance evaluations, and mentorship to enhance operational efficiency and achieve organizational goals
• Manage the cost center budget process, including setting departmental budgets, and monitoring monthly cost center spending (Budgets/CAPEX/OPEX) across all sites.
• Proactively identify and initiate cost savings across all distribution and warehouse activities.
• Strategically managing resources with Distribution Lead, including seasonal staff, equipment, and space, to maximize effectiveness and efficiency.
  
  

Multi-Site Operations Management:

• Oversee and actively manage the day-to-day warehouse operational activities (inbound, storing, handling, outbound, quality checks, fumigation, maintenance programs) across all assigned sites, ensuring strict adherence to functional SOPs and HSE policies.
• Receiving products from Product Supply Local Sites (CP & Seed) and Imported containers with specific requirements and checks to adhere to procedures
• Manage all material handling equipment across sites to ensure operational KPIs are achieved and maintained, including coordinating routine maintenance and certifications.
• Raising maintenance-related matters and liaising with site maintenance teams for timely resolution.
• Ensure efficient management of warehouse and distribution import and export operations across the regional network.
• Actively manage TMS (Transportation Management System) activities, including vendor data management, freight bill processing, route optimization, vehicle utilization, and GPS monitoring across the region.
• Actively manage SMARTCENTRE activities, including all KPI’s
  
  

Inventory & Quality Control:

• Drive and ensure high inventory accuracy across all managed warehouses in line with the SAP system by executing daily perpetual counts, monthly cycle counts, quality sampling, and carry-over sampling.
• Conduct thorough investigations into any inventory variances, implementing timely root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Monitor and manage the warehouse Inventory Deterioration and Obsolescence (D&O) process, ensuring all D&O products are handled and disposed of per HSE & SOP requirements, with proper approvals and records maintained.
• Maintain stringent stock control, minimizing write-offs by ensuring proper stock rotation (First Expiry First Out - FEFO), correct stock handling practices, and eliminating storage practices that lead to deterioration of stock quality.
• Control measures to balance supply and demand, with available space
  
  

Comprehensive Environmental, Safety & Health (HSE) Coordination:

• Advise and support the function leadership in all HSE matters, providing comprehensive reports using appropriate performance indicators and management review processes.
• Ensuring compliance of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSH Act) for relevant sites, managing the site HSE program in line with Bayer corporate policies and local regulatory standards.
• Maintain and monitor the site ISO 45001 and ISO 9001 programs to enable compliance to local regulatory and Bayer corporate standards
• Ensure full compliance with the use of all operational equipment and tools.
• Drive comprehensive HSE compliance across all managed sites and warehouse operations.
• Safeguard the health and safety of all employees within the sites by continuously monitoring conditions and actively assisting in hazard identification and reporting.
• Ensure continuous improvement of the Environmental, Safety, and Health performance at all managed sites, actively reducing/eliminating recordable incidents, preventing fines and reputational issues due to non-compliance with legal requirements, and enhancing the overall Safety Culture.
• Co-create with Distribution Lead policies, directives, procedures, guidelines, trainings, and other supporting materials that ensure compliance.
• Organize and coordinate HSE activities, meetings, trainings, and drills at all managed sites to ensure full support for and understanding of HSE programs & procedures.
• Roll-out and ensure the execution of actions defined for the business/function master plan to all site personnel and contractors.
• Drive the warehouse and distribution dangerous goods vehicle and driver safety compliance program across the region.
• Take or coordinate necessary corrective actions to address unsafe work conditions or acts.
• Investigate and report all incidents comprehensively using approved methodologies (e.g., 5 Y’s).
• Provide or make available necessary safety or personal protective equipment (PPE) required for the work environment or task.
• Provide job-specific safety orientation to all new employees and upon assignment of new tasks or operations with hazard exposure.
• Be aware of emergency procedures, ensure individuals are designated for assistance during evacuations, and know emergency contacts/certified first aid/CPR volunteers.
• Execute and maintain the warehouse and distribution pest control program in line with HSE and SOP requirements.
  
  

Performance & Continuous Improvement:

• Develop and track comprehensive warehouse and distribution performance metrics (KPIs) across the regional network, conducting root cause corrective actions for any deviations.
• Analyzing data related to inventory accuracy, order fulfillment rates, and operational costs to identify trends and areas needing enhancement
• Collaborate, identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities related to warehouse and distribution processes, systems, and procedures across the regional network, challenging existing methodologies for optimization.
  
  

Stakeholder Collaboration & Communication:

• Building strong relationships with various internal and external stakeholders, including suppliers, vendors, transportation providers, and other departments within the organization.
• Effective communication is essential for aligning goals, sharing critical information, and addressing any issues that may arise in the supply chain.
• The warehouse manager must ensure that all parties are informed about inventory levels, order statuses, and any changes in logistics plans.
• By facilitating open lines of communication and fostering a collaborative environment, the warehouse manager helps to enhance coordination, reduce misunderstandings, and improve overall operational efficiency. This collaborative approach not only strengthens partnerships but also contributes to a more agile and responsive supply chain.
  
  

Key Working Relation:

• Customer Facing Squads
• Distribution Lead for South Africa
• Warehouse Specialist (s) (across multiple sites)
• Warehouse Coordinator (s) (across multiple sites)
• Warehouse Administrators (s) (across multiple sites)
• Logistics Administrator(s) (across multiple sites)
• External: freight carriers; courier companies; government agencies
• Labour Brokers
• Product Supply
• Supply Planners
• Quality Assurance
• HSE
• Security
• Finance
• HR
  
  

Skills & Qualifications:

• Degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or Distribution and Warehousing.
• Minimum of 5 years of proven experience in Distribution and Warehousing, Inventory Control, and management, with significant exposure to multi-site operations.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience managing comprehensive compliant HSE programs.
• Solid people leadership / management experience
• Mandatory Computer Literacy with advanced SAP knowledge. Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Certified management systems knowledge and experience (OSHAS / ISO 9001 / ISO 45001).
• Expertise in Hazard Recognition and in-depth knowledge of HSE procedures and practical implementation.
• Experience in conducting and preferably leading HSE audits.
• Knowledge of the Agricultural chemical and seed markets is advantageous. Strong understanding and execution of logistics principles and practices.
• Fluent in English, (local vernacular & Afrikaans advantageous).
• Ability to work effectively in a global, team matrix-based environment (cross functional; cross cultural).
• Agile, High level of engagement & communication
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
  
  

Key Competencies:

• Lead with Purpose
• Safety Mindset
• Grow Yourself and Others
• Be Accountable
• Be Lean and Fast
• Create Value with the Customer in Mind
• Problem Solving & Analytical Skills
• Organizational & Planning Skills
  
  

Application Period: 14 August 2025 - 28 August 2025 Reference Code: 851690

Division: Crop Science Location: South Africa : Gauteng : Germiston

Functional Area: Supply Chain Management Position Grade: VS 1.1

Employment Type: Regular Work Time: Standard

Contact Us

Address Telephone E-Mail

9 Country Estate Drive, Waterfall City, Johannesburg, 2090.

P O Box 143

Isando, 1600, South Africa

[e-mail]

Bayer welcomes applications from all individuals, regardless of race, national origin, gender, age, physical characteristics, social origin, disability, union membership, religion, family status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or any unlawful criterion under applicable law. We are committed to treating all applicants fairly and avoiding discrimination.