Job Description

Logistics Manager (SKD) | Johannesburg | Permanent
Take ownership of inbound logistics for a busy automotive plant and play a key role in keeping production running smoothly. This role is ideal for a hands-on logistics professional who is comfortable balancing suppliers, systems, quality metrics, and tight timelines.
As Logistics Manager (SKD), you will oversee the full inbound logistics process for semi knock-down materials into the plant - from scheduling and coordinating deliveries through to quality checks, inventory visibility, and final line performance. You will work closely with suppliers, transporters, internal logistics, production planning, quality, and finance to ensure materials arrive on time, in full, and to specification.
You will be responsible for managing ESO and inventory risk, the rebate store, and compliance with audit and plant regulatory guidelines. A key part of the role is driving supplier performance through data: tracking R/1000 for inbound parts, leading root cause analysis, implementing preventative actions, and ensuring that non-conformances are properly closed out.
Our client is a well-established player in the automotive manufacturing sector, operating a high-volume, quality-driven plant environment. They are investing heavily in process excellence and require a Logistics Manager who can blend strong operational control with continuous improvement, supplier development, and effective stakeholder management across the plant.
What You'll Do

• Plan and manage the scheduling of inbound material deliveries in coordination with suppliers and transporters.
• Align delivery schedules with production planning, demand forecasts, and plant capacity.
• Manage ESO and inbound logistics risks to prevent disruptions to production.
• Coordinate timely unloading, inspection, quality checks, and system entry of inbound goods.
• Oversee the rebate store, ensuring accurate documentation, usage control, and regulatory compliance.
• Enforce compliance with audit, rebate policy, and plant guidelines in collaboration with finance, procurement, and audit teams.
• Track R/1000 performance for inbound parts and lead root cause analysis with IO and quality teams.
• Implement countermeasures and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce supplier-related quality issues.
• Lead quality assurance for inbound materials and manage final line inspections to prevent defective parts entering assembly.
• Oversee special conversion suppliers and fitment centres, ensuring modified/customised components meet quality and delivery requirements.
• Forecast plant material requirements based on sales forecasts and production plans, working closely with P&A and procurement.
• Maintain strong inventory visibility and control, avoiding shortages and overstocking.
• Supervise logistics and quality personnel across inbound and miscellaneous components.
• Develop and share dashboards and reports on delivery adherence, lot mismatches, R/1000, quality checks, and supplier performance.
• Manage internal logistics systems (e.g. Autocart) and multiple supplier platforms.
• Sign off on supplier invoices and support financial control processes.
• Support the Customer Service and Technical teams with escalated logistics and quality matters.

What You Bring

• Tertiary qualification in Supply Chain, Logistics, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
• Solid experience in inbound logistics, materials planning, or supply chain management, ideally in an automotive or high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of supplier management, quality assurance, and plant logistics processes.
• Proven experience working with logistics/warehouse systems and supplier platforms; comfortable using data and dashboards to drive decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage ESO, stock accuracy, and inventory risk in a fast-paced plant environment.
• Experience in root cause analysis, problem solving, and implementation of corrective and preventative actions.
• Confident stakeholder manager who can partner with production, quality, finance, procurement, and external suppliers.
• People leadership experience, with the ability to supervise and develop logistics and quality teams.
• High attention to detail, strong numeracy, and the ability to interpret and act on performance metrics such as R/1000 and delivery adherence.
• Resilience and composure under pressure, with a continuous improvement mindset.

What Success Looks Like

• Inbound materials consistently arrive on time, in full, aligned to production plans, with minimal ESO-related disruptions.
• Rebate stock and inventories are well-controlled, accurately documented, and fully compliant with audit and plant requirements.
• R/1000 and quality non-conformances trend down due to effective root cause analysis and preventative measures.
• Fitment centres and special suppliers consistently meet quality, delivery, and cost expectations.
• Production, quality, finance, procurement, and customer service teams see you as a reliable partner and problem-solver.
• Dashboards and reports are accurate, timely, and actively used to drive supplier and internal performance improvements.
• Supplier invoices are processed accurately and on time, with strong financial control and traceability.
• The plant experiences fewer escalations related to inbound logistics and improved stability in overall production performance.

Skills Required