Warehouse Operations Manager - Roodepoort

HotelJobs; Roodepoort; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

HotelJobs in Roodepoort, South Africa, is seeking an experienced Warehouse Operations Manager to lead end-to-end warehouse performance. You will oversee receiving, storage, picking, packing and dispatch while driving safety, accuracy and service levels.

This hands-on, strategic role requires building a high-performance team, optimizing capacity, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives using SAP and WMS.

Qualifications

• 7+ years' experience in warehouse operations.
• Experience managing large multi-function warehouses.
• ERP/WMS experience with SAP.
• Strong Excel and data analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Take overall accountability for daily warehouse performance.
• Oversee receiving, put-away, storage, picking, packing and dispatch.
• Lead and develop warehouse teams for improved performance.
• Drive continuous improvement and cost efficiency.
• Plan labour, equipment and resources.

Skills

Inventory control

Leadership

Operations management

Data analysis

Budgeting

Health & safety

Education

Logistics / Supply Chain degree

Tools

SAP

WMS

Excel

Job description

Leading supplier of kitchen utensils, industrial cookware, commercial kitchens & appliances to the hospitality & food service industries based in Roodepoort is seeking an experienced and results-driven Warehouse Operations Manager . The Warehouse Operations Manager is accountable for the end-to-end performance ; efficiency; safety and continuous improvement of the warehouse operation ; ensuring that all goods are received; stored, controlled, picked, packed and dispatched accurately ; efficiently and within required service levels . This is a hands-on and strategic leadership role. The successful candidate will be highly visible within the operation, understand the detail of the warehouse; actively identify and resolve operational challenges ; and lead the team to deliver daily results. At the same time, they will develop and implement longer-term strategies to improve capacity; productivity, systems, technology, cost efficiency and scalability. The role is responsible for creating a high-performance; disciplined and customer-focused warehouse operation, supported by robust processes; accurate data, effective systems and a culture of continuous improvement . The Warehouse Operations Manager will play a key role in planning for future growth, optimising warehouse capacity and resources ; and ensuring the operation evolves with the needs of the business

Duties:

Warehouse Operations & Service Delivery:

• Take overall accountability for the daily performance and operational effectiveness of the warehouse.
• Oversee all warehouse activities including receiving, put-away, storage, replenishment, picking, packing, staging and dispatch.
• Take overall accountability for all distribution activities including own and 3PL functions.
• Ensure customer orders are processed accurately, efficiently and within agreed service levels.
• Maintain effective stock flow, warehouse organisation and housekeeping standards.
• Be highly visible and hands-on within the operation, identifying bottlenecks, resolving issues and driving immediate corrective action.
• Ensure labour, space, equipment and other resources are effectively planned and utilised.
• Establish and maintain standard operating procedures and operating standards across all warehouse functions.
• Ensure the warehouse is structured and prepared to manage changing volumes, seasonal peaks and future business growth.
• Identify operational risks and implement appropriate contingency plans.

Leadership & People Management:

• Lead; motivate and develop the warehouse team, creating a culture of accountability, performance and continuous improvement.
• Set clear expectations, targets and performance standards across all warehouse functions.
• Monitor individual and team performance and take appropriate action where standards are not achieved.
• Develop supervisors and team leaders to ensure strong operational leadership at all levels.
• Identify training and development requirements and implement appropriate development plans.
• Ensure effective workforce planning, succession planning and resource allocation.
• Promote teamwork, discipline, ownership, accountability and a strong work ethic.
• Build a culture where employees actively identify problems and contribute to solutions.

Inventory & Stock Control:

• Maintain high levels of inventory accuracy, stock integrity and system accuracy.
• Oversee cycle counts, stock takes, stock investigations and stock adjustments.
• Identify and reduce stock losses, damages, discrepancies and operational wastage.
• Ensure appropriate controls are in place for high-value, sensitive and fast-moving inventory.
• Investigate recurring stock discrepancies and implement corrective and preventative actions.
• Ensure physical stock and system stock remain accurately aligned.

Productivity; Performance & Cost Management:

• Establish; monitor and continuously improve warehouse KPIs covering productivity, accuracy, service levels, stock integrity, labour utilisation and cost.
• Drive improvements in lines per hour/day, orders processed, receiving and dispatch turnaround times and overall warehouse productivity.
• Analyse operational data to identify trends, inefficiencies, bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement.
• Hold teams and management accountable for agreed performance targets.
• Develop and implement productivity improvement initiatives.
• Monitor warehouse operating costs and identify opportunities to reduce cost without compromising service or quality.
• Prepare and manage the warehouse operating budget in line with business objectives.
• Benchmark warehouse performance and continuously raise operational standards.

Strategic Planning, Capacity & Continuous Improvement:

• Develop and implement the warehouse operations strategy in alignment with overall business objectives.
• Develop short-, medium- and long-term capacity plans based on current and anticipated business requirements.
• Optimise warehouse space, racking, layouts, workflows, material flow and storage strategies.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, productivity, capacity, technology and automation.
• Lead continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives across the warehouse.
• Evaluate and implement warehouse best practices, methodologies and technologies.
• Identify opportunities to simplify processes, eliminate waste and reduce unnecessary handling.
• Develop business cases and make recommendations for operational improvements and capital expenditure.
• Lead or participate in major warehouse projects including layouts, racking, equipment, automation, systems implementations and operational relocations.
• Ensure changes are effectively planned, implemented and embedded into the operation.

Systems; Data & Technology:

• Ensure effective utilisation of SAP, WMS, scanners and other warehouse technology.
• Ensure warehouse processes are aligned with system functionality and controls.
• Identify opportunities to automate, digitise or simplify manual processes.
• Work closely with IT and relevant stakeholders to improve system functionality, data accuracy and operational visibility.
• Use data and reporting to drive informed operational decisions.
• Ensure accurate and timely warehouse reporting and performance information.
• Drive adoption of technology that improves accuracy, productivity, traceability and customer service.

Health; Safety, Security & Compliance:

• Take accountability for Health, Safety, Security and compliance.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, health and safety requirements and applicable legislation.
• Ensure appropriate forklift, material-handling and equipment standards are maintained.
• Ensure operators are appropriately trained and authorised.
• Conduct regular operational, safety and housekeeping inspections.
• Investigate incidents and implement corrective and preventative actions.
• Identify and mitigate operational, safety and security risks.
• Implement appropriate controls to minimise theft, loss, damage and unauthorised access to stock and facilities.
• Promote a strong safety and security culture throughout the warehouse.

Equipment; Facilities & Resources:

• Ensure vehicles, warehouse equipment, racking, forklifts, pallet jacks and other operational assets are maintained, fit for purpose and appropriately utilised.
• Ensure preventative maintenance requirements are identified and completed.
• Monitor equipment utilisation, downtime and replacement requirements.
• Ensure the warehouse environment supports safe and efficient operations.
• Plan labour, equipment and other operational resources in line with current and future requirements.
• Identify future infrastructure, equipment and capacity requirements and make recommendations to management.

Stakeholder & Supply Chain Management:

• Ensure warehouse priorities support the broader supply chain and customer requirements.
• Resolve cross-functional operational issues and drive collaborative solutions.
• Manage relationships with relevant external service providers and contractors.
• Communicate warehouse performance, risks, capacity constraints and improvement initiatives to senior management.

Operational Governance & Reporting:

• Ensure warehouse policies, procedures and standard operating procedures are current, understood and consistently applied.
• Establish clear operational controls and accountability across all warehouse functions.
• Provide regular management reporting on warehouse performance, productivity, costs, risks and improvement initiatives.
• Identify emerging operational risks and proactively communicate these to management.
• Ensure corrective actions and improvement initiatives are tracked through to completion.
• Maintain a structured approach to continuous improvement and operational problem solving.

Requirements:

• Relevant qualification in Logistics, Supply Chain, Warehouse Management, Operations Management or a related field.
• Minimum 7+ years' experience in warehouse operations, preferably within a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Proven experience managing a large, multi-function warehouse operation.
• Proven experience leading and developing warehouse teams through supervisors and team leaders.
• Strong understanding of inventory control, receiving, put-away, storage, replenishment, picking, packing and dispatch processes.
• Experience working with ERP/WMS systems, SAP, warehouse scanning and related technology.
• Strong understanding of warehouse KPIs, productivity measurement and performance management.
• Proven track record of implementing process improvements and delivering measurable operational efficiencies.
• Experience in warehouse layout, capacity planning, space optimisation and resource planning.
• Experience managing operational budgets and controlling warehouse costs.
• Strong Excel and data-analysis capability.
• Experience managing health, safety, security and compliance within a warehouse environment.
• Experience with warehouse projects, systems implementations, automation and relocations.
• Strong understanding of supply chain and distribution principles.