Supply Chain Manager
Our client, a leading international Chemical Manufacturing company based in Durban, is looking to fill the position of Supply Chain Manager.
Purpose of the Role
The Supply Chain Manager will coordinate all supply chain activities for the site in close collaboration with Group Procurement and Group S&OP functions.
Covering site purchasing, scheduling, warehousing, and distribution, the Supply Chain Manager is responsible for setting out the site (local) supply chain strategy; supporting the negotiation of specific raw material contracts with vendors; and ensuring smooth supply of all raw materials to the site in conjunction with group purchasing.
This role ensures that the plants are utilized effectively through sound scheduling practices in conjunction with the group demand planners; manages inventory to ensure effective use of working capital while ensuring customer supply; manages warehousing and distribution; and ensures finished goods are shipped safely and on time.
The Supply Chain Manager will be responsible for leading the company's supply chain B-BBEE strategy and will manage all site supply chain KPIs.
Key Responsibilities
- Liaise with Group Procurement and Group S&OP to set site supply chain strategy.
- Translate the site supply chain strategy into priorities for action by the supply chain team.
- Define and adapt action plans according to priorities, distribute work, and allocate resources within teams.
- Identify improvement areas and integrate business system processes with group ERP systems.
- Establish inventory management/replenishment strategies to improve customer service levels while minimizing inventory investment.
- Liaise with group S&OP to understand future plant demand and incorporate this into the site strategic plan for capacity planning.
- Work closely with group purchasing to set site purchasing strategy for common materials.
- Participate in the evaluation and selection of suppliers, subcontractors, and service providers; assess performance through analysis, audits, and benchmarks.
- Ensure site scheduling optimizes plant assets and meets customer supply demands.
- Coordinate weekly 'order book' meetings to align production schedules with open orders and facilitate short-term fulfillment.
- Resolve any raw material or finished goods supply issues to ensure continuous supply.
- Manage domestic and export shipments to customers and sister-sites.
- Oversee inventory, warehousing, and distribution activities at four major stock points.
- Be accountable for all site supply chain and SHE KPIs, driving improvement plans as needed.
- Provide local input into the Group S&OP process and lead monthly site S&OP meetings.
- Coordinate with tollers to ensure efficient supply of tolled manufactured products.
- Operate within all relevant HSE legislations and ISO procedures.
- Collaborate with sales to link forecasts to purchasing and inventory management.
- Act as a project leader, managing multidisciplinary teams to achieve results.
- Ensure the supply chain strategy aligns with the company's B-BBEE strategy.
Qualifications and Experience
- Grade 12 Senior Certificate
- A degree or equivalent in Supply Chain Management and/or Logistics.
- Chartered Membership of the Institute of Logistics & Transport or Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (advantageous).
- MCIPS Level 5 or equivalent (advantageous).
- 8-15 years senior experience in supply chain management.
- Experience with best practices and implementation.
- At least one year's experience in the chemical industry (advantageous).
- Experience with Warehouse Management Systems (advantageous).