Warehouse Manager / Industrial Engineer

Afrique Connection Consultancy; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Afrique Connection Consultancy is seeking an emerging Industrial Engineer to own the factory warehouse and stores, lead receiving, kitting and material flow, and drive inventory accuracy. The role offers progression into broader manufacturing leadership over 2–5 years.

You will report to Purchasing Manager and work with planning, production, quality and suppliers while developing SOPs, KPIs and process controls to optimise space, efficiency and waste reduction on the factory floor.

Qualifications

• BEng/BTech or Advanced Diploma in Industrial Engineering.
• 3–5 years in manufacturing, production, or warehouse environments.
• ERP experience; SYSPRO is advantageous.
• Lean Manufacturing or continuous improvement training is advantageous.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Own factory warehouse and stores operations including receiving, stores, kitting and material flow.
• Improve processes, inventory accuracy and KPI performance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives in inventory optimisation, space utilisation and waste reduction.
• Develop SOPs, work instructions and process controls.
• Lead and develop warehouse team; liaise with Purchasing, Planning, Production and suppliers.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Reading drawings

Excel skills

Planning & coordination

Stakeholder management

Leadership potential

Overtime readiness

Education

BEng/BTech/Advanced Diploma in Industrial Engineering

Valid driver’s licence

Tools

SYSPRO ERP

Job description

About the role

Our client, an established South African engineering and manufacturing company with a growing factory operation, is looking for an emerging Industrial Engineer to take ownership of its factory warehouse and stores. You'll lead receiving, stores, kitting and material flow, improve processes and inventory accuracy, and grow into a broader manufacturing leadership role over the next two to five years.

Reporting lines

• Reports to the Purchasing Manager.
• Direct reports: Team Leader Assembly, Team Leader Fabrication and Stores Administrator.
• Indirect reports: 12 storemen and assistants.
• Works closely with Purchasing, Factory Planning, Production, Assembly, Fabrication, Quality, Finance and suppliers.

Inbound materials and inventory control

• Plan and coordinate inbound receipts so material availability matches production and inventory needs.
• Oversee receiving, inspection, identification, barcoding, GRN processing and inventory transactions in SYSPRO.
• Investigate, resolve and communicate discrepancies, shortages and non-conformances.
• Maintain accurate inventory records, traceability and bin integrity.

Production support, kitting and material flow

• Coordinate picking, kitting and material issues in line with production schedules and priorities.
• Flag material shortages, availability risks and supply constraints early.
• Improve material flow between Stores, Fabrication, Assembly and external service providers.
• Track and improve kit completeness, issue accuracy, lead times and material availability.

Process improvement and warehouse layout

• Analyse warehouse and manufacturing support processes for efficiency, quality and cost improvements.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, work instructions, process controls and KPIs.
• Lead continuous improvement in inventory optimisation, space utilisation, productivity and waste reduction.
• Design warehouse layouts, storage strategies and material handling processes that support growth, and assess capacity and resource needs.

Safety, quality and leadership

• Ensure compliance with company policy, legislation, quality standards and safe working practices, and drive housekeeping and visual management.
• Support investigations into incidents, stock variances and non-conformances, and implement corrective actions.
• Lead and develop the warehouse team through coaching, training and performance management.
• Progressively take on manufacturing planning, process engineering and capacity optimisation responsibilities.

Key performance measures

• Dock-to-stock time of 2 working days or less.
• 98%+ picking, kitting and cycle-count accuracy.
• 95%+ of production kits released complete and on time.
• Zero lost-time injuries and full compliance in safety and quality audits.

Qualifications

• BEng, BTech or Advanced Diploma in Industrial Engineering, or an equivalent engineering qualification.
• Valid driver's licence.
• Training in Lean Manufacturing, Operations Management, Supply Chain or Continuous Improvement is advantageous.
• Forklift licence is advantageous but not essential.

Experience

• 3 to 5 years in a manufacturing, production, supply chain, logistics or warehouse environment.
• Exposure to warehouse, stores, kitting, production support or manufacturing operations.
• Exposure to process improvement, material flow, production planning or inventory management.
• ERP experience; SYSPRO is advantageous.
• Experience analysing operational data and developing KPIs is advantageous.

Competencies

• Strong analytical, problem-solving and continuous improvement mindset.
• Able to read engineering, manufacturing and assembly drawings.
• Strong numerical ability, attention to detail and Excel skills.
• Good planning, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Leadership potential, accountability and initiative.
• Comfortable on the factory floor (PPE required) and available for overtime when needed.

Remuneration

Market related, depending on experience.