Warehouse Supervisor/Materials Engineer (Automotive)

Staff Solutions; Akasia; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Staff Solutions in Akasia, Gauteng, is seeking a Warehouse & Logistics Supervisor to lead a team, ensure inventory accuracy, and coordinate inbound and outbound JIT deliveries to OEM customers.

The role emphasizes safety compliance, 5S, and extensive ERP/WMS use (SAP, WMS). You will oversee MHE fleet, conduct pre-shift audits, and drive improvements through cross-training and KPI achievement.

Qualifications

• Minimum matric or related diploma in operations/logistics.
• Experience in automotive manufacturing warehouse environment preferred.
• High proficiency in ERP/WMS systems (SAP, WMS) and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Supervise warehouse staff, forklift operators and material handlers.
• Ensure inventory accuracy with physical audits and SAP/WMS tracking.
• Coordinate inbound receipts and outbound JIT deliveries to OEMs.
• Enforce safety, 5S and risk controls across the site.
• Oversee MHE fleet management and pre-shift audits.
• Drive continuous improvement and cross-training across zones.

Skills

Leadership

Inventory management

ERP/WMS experience

Safety compliance

Education

Matric or related diploma in operations/logistics

Tools

SAP

WMS

MS PowerPoint

MS Excel

Job description

Key Responsibilities

Warehouse & Logistics Management

• Supervise Team: Lead, train, and schedule warehouse staff, forklifts operators, and material handlers.
• Inventory Accuracy: Support Inventory controller with physical audits, and SAP/WMS inventory tracking.
• Shipping/Receiving: Coordinate timely inbound receipts and outbound Just-In-Time (JIT) deliveries to OEM customers.
• Safety Compliance: Enforce OSHA regulations, 5S workplace organization standards, and safe material handling.
• Team Leadership: Supervise, schedule, and lead in coordinating training for material handlers, sewing line feeders, and forklift operators.
• WMS Data Integrity and Transactions: Oversee all warehouse transactions in WMS (goods receipts, stock transfers, and production staging).
• Inventory Control: Support via Physical Logistics in Leading cycle counts and physical audits through resource planning and coordination
• Line Feeding: Ensure Just-In-Time (JIT) and Just-In-Sequence (JIS) material delivery to seat assembly and sewing lines.

Expanded Key Responsibilities

Material Handling Equipment (MHE) Fleet Management

• Fleet Oversight: Manage utilization, maintenance logs, and charging schedules for forklifts, Flexi equipment’s, and AGV’s.
• Vendor Coordination: Partner with external maintenance vendors to ensure rapid repair of MHE and minimize warehouse downtime.
• Pre-shift Audits: Enforce daily operator checklists for MHE to catch mechanical or hydraulic issues early.
• Fleet Oversight: Manage utilization, maintenance logs, and charging schedules for forklifts, reach trucks, and electric tugs.
• Vendor Coordination: Partner with external maintenance vendors to ensure rapid repair of MHE and minimize warehouse downtime.
• Pre-shift Audits: Enforce daily operator checklists for MHE to catch mechanical or hydraulic issues early.

Materials Engineering & Quality Control

• Material Validation: Inspect incoming raw materials, metals, plastics, or electronic components against specified standards.
• Defect Containment: Identify, quarantine, and document non-conforming or defective materials to prevent production line stops.
• Root Cause Analysis: Partner with Quality/Material Engineers to analyze material failures or transit-related degradation
• Storage Optimization: Support in developing specialized storage or packaging solutions based on material type where needed.
• Specialized Storage: Implement strict storage solutions to protect sensitive textiles from moisture, dust, and stretching.

Team Leader Development & Multi-Skilling

• Skills Matrix: Update, maintain, and ensure the skills matrix tracking competency levels across all material shopfloor team and team leaders.
• Cross-Training Programs: Train and mentor Team Leaders to handle multiple warehouse zones, ensuring seamless coverage during absences.
• Leadership Coaching: Empower Team Leaders to manage conflict, track hourly line throughput, and conduct shift handovers.

Health, Safety, & Environment (HSE) Activities

• Risk Assessments: Lead safety hazard assessments specifically for heavy steel frame storage, textile roll handling, and ergonomic lifting.
• Incident Investigation: Conduct root-cause analysis for any near-misses or accidents, implementing corrective actions immediately.
• 5S & Housekeeping: Drive a culture of cleanliness to prevent slip-and-trip hazards on the sewing floor and in high-traffic MHE zones.

Minimum requirements:

• Minimum Matric (Grade 12, Graduate OR Diploma with at least Operations Management/Logistics/Supply Chain, Industrial engineer or any other related educational qualification)
• Graduate Requirements (Minimum 6 months to 1 Year in an automotive manufacturing (If Graduate) tier-1 supplier warehouse environment).
• Experienced/Min Diploma qualification individuals (Advantageous will be at least 3 years in supervisory role in Seating assembly experience in Tier 1 supplier
• System Skills: High proficiency in ERP/WMS systems (SAP, WMS), Basic MS Office Power-point and Basic MS Excel.
• Standards: Strong working knowledge of automotive standards (IMS/ IATF 16949, ISO 9001/14000).

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Safety: Zero Lost Time Injuries (LTIs) and 100% completion of scheduled safety and LPA audits.
• Multi-Skilling: Achieving >80% cross-training target across all team leaders and critical material handling roles.
• MHE Operations: Maintaining >95% equipment uptime and 100% compliance on daily pre-shift inspection logs. Inventory Accuracy: Maintaining >99% inventory accuracy within SAP/WMS for seat components