Head of Distribution - CPT

Head of
Distribution – Cape Town

Role Purpose

The Head of Distribution – Cape Town is accountable for the
safe, efficient and cost-effective operation of the Cape Town Distribution
Centre, ensuring exceptional service delivery while maintaining high standards
of warehousing, inventory management, transport operations and operational
compliance.

The role is responsible for leading all warehousing and
distribution activities within the region, ensuring inventory integrity, fleet
efficiency, productivity and service excellence. Working closely with Central
Procurement, Sales, Finance and Customer Service, the incumbent is expected to
drive operational excellence, optimise costs and continuously improve
distribution performance.

Key Responsibilities

1. Distribution Centre Leadership

Lead the overall performance of the Cape Town Distribution
Centre.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead
  and develop the warehouse and distribution teams.
  
• Build
  a high-performance, accountable culture.
  
• Translate
  operational strategy into effective execution plans.
  
• Drive
  continuous improvement across all distribution activities.
  
• Ensure
  alignment with company values, governance and compliance requirements.
  
• Promote
  collaboration with central support functions.
  

2. Warehouse Operations

Take full ownership of warehouse operations.

Responsibilities include:

• Receiving
  and put-away operations.
  
• Picking
  and dispatch performance.
  
• Warehouse
  productivity.
  
• Stock
  handling and storage practices.
  
• Warehouse
  layout and space utilisation.
  
• Equipment
  utilisation and maintenance.
  
• Housekeeping
  and operational standards.
  
• Warehouse
  safety and compliance.
  

3. Transport & Distribution

Lead all transport and delivery operations.

Responsibilities include:

• Delivery
  scheduling and execution.
  
• Fleet
  utilisation and optimisation.
  
• Route
  planning and optimisation.
  
• Driver
  supervision and performance.
  
• Vehicle
  maintenance and roadworthiness.
  
• Third-party
  transport management where applicable.
  
• Delivery
  performance and customer service.
  
• Compliance
  with transport legislation and company policies.
  

4. Inventory Management

Ensure effective inventory control and stock integrity.

Responsibilities include:

• Inventory
  accuracy.
  
• Cycle
  counting and stock verification.
  
• Investigation
  and resolution of stock variances.
  
• Management
  of damaged, obsolete and slow-moving inventory.
  
• Returns
  processing.
  
• Stock
  rotation and storage compliance.
  
• Implementation
  of inventory control procedures.
  
• Support
  efficient replenishment and stock availability.
  

5. Operational Excellence

Drive continuous improvement across warehouse and
distribution operations.

Responsibilities include:

• Improve
  warehouse and transport productivity.
  
• Identify
  and implement process improvements.
  
• Optimise
  labour and equipment utilisation.
  
• Improve
  operational efficiency.
  
• Reduce
  waste and operational losses.
  
• Standardise
  operational procedures.
  
• Support
  automation and technology initiatives where appropriate.
  

6. Customer Service

Support exceptional customer service through operational
excellence.

Responsibilities include:

• Ensure
  accurate and timely order fulfilment.
  
• Deliver
  high standards of service to internal and external customers.
  
• Resolve
  operational service issues promptly.
  
• Work
  closely with Sales and Customer Service teams to improve service delivery.
  
• Support
  the successful execution of customer and supplier initiatives.
  

7. Health, Safety & Compliance

Maintain a safe, secure and compliant operating environment.

Responsibilities include:

• Ensure
  compliance with health and safety legislation.
  
• Promote
  a strong safety culture.
  
• Conduct
  regular safety inspections and risk assessments.
  
• Investigate
  incidents and implement corrective actions.
  
• Maintain
  warehouse security standards.
  
• Ensure
  compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
  

8. People Leadership

Develop and lead a high-performing operations team.

Responsibilities include:

• Recruit,
  develop and retain talented employees.
  
• Coach
  and mentor supervisors and team leaders.
  
• Conduct
  regular performance reviews.
  
• Identify
  training and development needs.
  
• Build
  succession plans for key operational roles.
  
• Foster
  teamwork, accountability and employee engagement.
  
• Partner
  with Human Resources on employee relations matters.
  

9. Operational Cost Management

Manage the operational cost base of the Cape Town
Distribution Centre.

Responsibilities include:

• Manage
  warehouse labour costs and overtime.
  
• Optimise
  fleet utilisation and transport costs.
  
• Control
  operational expenditure within approved budgets.
  
• Monitor
  maintenance and equipment costs.
  
• Identify
  and implement cost-saving initiatives.
  
• Improve
  operational efficiency through effective resource utilisation.
  

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's
  Degree or Diploma in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations
  Management or a related field.
  
• Relevant
  professional qualifications in warehousing, logistics or transport
  management would be advantageous.
  

Experience

• Minimum
  of 5 years' management experience within FMCG, beverage distribution,
  wholesale, logistics or warehousing.
  
• Proven
  experience managing a distribution centre.
  
• Strong
  warehouse and transport management experience.
  
• Experience
  leading large operational teams.
  
• Experience
  managing inventory within a high-volume distribution environment.
  
• Strong
  understanding of warehouse management systems (WMS) and ERP systems.
  
• Experience
  within liquor distribution or FMCG distribution would be highly
  advantageous.