OPERATIONS MANAGER

Based Durban. Join a high profile, very fast moving multi-billion Rand prestigious and entrepreneurial Manufacturing, Wholesale & Retail FMCG Group which has had impressive growth over the last several years. There are multiple Branches nationally and this vacancy is based at their Durban Branch which is the third largest, is very successful and fast moving which is typical of the food industry. The product categories are: ambient, chilled, frozen and packaging which have many Sub-Categories. The previous Operations Manager had been in the Group for many years and was nominated and awarded Operations Manager of the Year on a number of occasions. It is expected that the new incumbent will also be of this very high calibre to manage the multiple operational duties and responsibilities that this challenging role demands. There is a reasonably large fleet consisting of 7½ tonners and 4 tonners which are multi-temperatured (refrigerated) vehicles. It should be noted that there is a sophisticated Plant Room consisting of various gases, piping etc. to ensure optimum temperature in the warehouse and vehicles for the respective categories. The Operations Manager will control approximately 150 staff and direct subordinates are: Dispatch Manager, Transport Manager, 2 x Warehouse Managers (frozen & ambient) and 2 x Shift Managers (day and night). The night shift is a critical element for the success of this position as most of the products are loaded in this shift, whereas the day shift concentrates on delivery to their many Clients.

Key performance areas, inter alia, include:

• Manage, motivate and direct all 150 Staff and ensuring safe working practices in line with OHS Policy (16.2). This includes deciding on relative training requirements in line with a large Training Budget.
• Manage all Disciplinaries (together with the HR Manager) including attending CCMA Cases (noting that the current encumbent has been highly successful, especially due to his knowledge of the various Acts including Labour Relations Act).
• Ensure that the Food Safety Standards are adhered to and be directly involved in the Audits.
• Interact with a reasonably aggressive Trade Union noting that there are 3 Shop Stewards.
• Oversee the very large Warehouse and the Distribution Function ensuring: timekeeping control, stock control, stock loss control (pilferage), ensuring expenses are in line with the Budget, maintaining food safety standards, carefully monitering the Dispatch Manager & Warehouse Manager. Naturally, the ultimate aim is to ensure that the daily delivery requirements for each Customer is carried out exactly in accordance with their orders and that none of the food being delivered has expired.
• Oversee Stock Control and and the Inventory Function including cyclical counts.
• Enforce Safety and Housekeeping Programme is performed on a continuous basis.
• Manage large Expense Budget and be fully accountable for its spending.
• Manage all Security related to the Branch.
• Ensure strict control over vehicle expenses, repairs, fuel usage and that there is efficient route planning.
• Work closely with the Branch General Manager and with the rest of the Management Team. This includes Management Meetings, monthly reporting using Excel and ad hoc requirements that arise from time to time.

Requirements:

• Ideally an Operations Management Degree or Diploma. The candidate must come from the Food Industry (this is not negotiable) and have at least 10 years experience as an Operations Manager.
• An in-depth understanding of Supply Chain from buying, selling to distribution which includes experience and insight of the full supply chain cycle.
• Must have the technical knowledge of the day to day running of a Refrigeration Plant together with experience in overseeing Physical Assets including stock, racking, plantroom, motor vehicles, freezers & chillers and similar.
• Must be able to manage people dynamics including coaching employees, motivating them and similar.
• Attention to detail, strong communication skills, sense of urgency, can multi-process, is calm under pressure, have high energy levels, strong work ethic and sound computer literacy skills.

Apply on-line or alternatively phone Gerald Lilian on (011) 4841790.

Be advised that if you do not receive a response within two weeks from date of submission of your CV, then please deem your application as unsuccessful.