Job Description

GENERAL MANAGER:

WAREHOUSE & DISTRIBUTION

Sales & Distribution

Job Purpose



To provide strategic and operational leadership of national warehouse and distribution operations, ensuring best-in-class service, regulatory compliance, safety, and cost efficiency across all facilities and transport networks. The role drives customer satisfaction, market share growth, and operational excellence while safeguarding assets, reducing risks, and enabling sustainable supply chain practices



Key Accountabilities and Outputs

Strategic Leadership

Develop and execute the national warehouse & distribution strategy aligned with BevCos sales, supply chain, and financial objectives.

Translate strategic intent into operational plans, capacity models, and investment cases.

Lead network optimisation projects (DCs, depots, overflow capacity).

Drive continuous improvement, benchmarking against FMCG/BevCo best practice.



Warehouse Operations Management

Lead operations across all DCs and depots, ensuring efficient workflows, stock accuracy, and OTIF delivery.

Implement and enforce SOPs for receiving, storing, picking, dispatch, and returns.

Ensure facilities meet food safety, health & safety (OHS Act), and quality compliance standards.

Drive automation, digital warehouse management (WMS), and layout optimisation.



Distribution & Transport Management

Oversee the national fleet (owned & contracted) to ensure cost-effective, safe, and compliant transport.

Optimise vehicle uptime, routing, and utilisation via TMS and analytics.

Ensure compliance with AARTO, RTMS, NHVR, and cross-border export regulations.

Collaborate with Export teams on customs, excise, and international trade compliance.



Inventory & Asset Management

Maintain inventory integrity through cycle counts, audits, and system controls (SAP/WMS).

Minimise losses, obsolescence, and write-offs, ensuring financial accountability.

Manage asset utilisation (forklifts, trucks, MHE, racking) and approve warehouse/fleet capex.



3PL & Contractor Management

Lead relationships and SLAs with 3PLs, transporters, and contract warehouses.

Negotiate contracts to secure value, compliance, and capacity flexibility.

Monitor service performance, enforce penalties/incentives, and build long-term strategic partnerships.



Financial Management

Own the W&D budget (ZAR 500m+), delivering productivity and cost savings while maintaining service standards.

Develop accurate forecasts, track variances, and implement corrective actions.

Ensure compliance with procurement governance and B-BBEE supplier development targets.



Risk, Compliance & Security

Ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements (OHS, NHVR, AARTO, Customs).

Embed food safety, SHEQ, and risk management protocols in warehouse and fleet operations.

Work with internal audit, forensics, and 3PL security to mitigate theft, shrinkage, and fraud risks.



Sustainability & ESG

Lead initiatives to reduce carbon footprint (fuel efficiency, renewable energy for DCs, reverse logistics).

Champion recycling and PET/glass recovery partnerships.

Ensure fleet and facility practices align with corporate ESG commitments.



Digital Transformation & Innovation

Champion technology adoption (IoT fleet tracking, predictive analytics, automation, robotics).

Implement control tower dashboards for real-time visibility of W&D performance.

Drive system enhancements across SAP, WMS, and TMS platforms.



Stakeholder & Customer Engagement

Collaborate across Planning, Manufacturing, Sales, Exports, and Finance to balance supply, cost, and service trade-offs.

Act as the voice of logistics in the S&OP cycle.

Build trusted relationships with key customers (GT, MT, Exports) to ensure service excellence.



People Leadership

Build, coach, and retain a high-performing W&D leadership team.

Develop capability pipelines, succession plans, and transformation targets.

Drive a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and innovation.



Qualifications and Experience

Bachelors degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Engineering, or related field (NQF 7 essential).

10+ years leadership experience in multi-site warehouse & distribution management (preferably FMCG/beverages).

Proven track record in 3PL/fleet management, regulatory compliance, and large-scale budget ownership.

Strong digital literacy:

SAP, WMS, TMS, advanced Excel; exposure to automation & analytics tools.



Key Competencies

Strategic thinking & execution under pressure.

Financial & commercial acumen.

Advanced problem-solving, decision-making, and project management.

Strong influencing, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

Change leadership & continuous improvement orientation.



Behavioural Competencies

Planning and Organising

Manages time effectively, ensuring effective completion of tasks under stressful deadlines.

Able to prioritise activities and resources, ensuring that results are achieved effectively.

Able to evaluate progress and make appropriate adjustments to initial plans, ensuring a successful outcome.



Strategic Thinking

Identifies and fills gaps in information required to understand strategic issues.

Formulates a "pig picture" understanding.

Ability to organises information and data to identify or explain trends, problems, and causes; compares and combines information to identify underlying issues.

Generates and considers options for actions to achieve a long-range goal or vision develops decision criteria considering factors such as cost, benefits, risks, timing, and buy-in; selects the strategy most likely to succeed.

Identifies the key tasks and resources needed to achieve objectives.

Makes sure strategies are executed; monitors results and makes adjustments as needed.



Project Management

Conducts team building exercises or events

Provides team-based rewards and performance measures

Develops a team charter and guidelines boundaries with other teams or business units

Provides role clarity and defines boundaries with other teams or business units

Clarifies assignments and accountabilities within the team



Continuous Improvement

Increases performance expectations when success has been achieved

Seeks out sources of information, including trade associations, best practice companies, customers, peers, subordinates, etc.

Finds ways to fast-adapt improvement ideas to work processes

Proactively seeks out resources, alliances, etc., needed to quickly introduce improvements