SENIOR SUPPLY CHAIN/LOGISTICS CONTROLLER (EXOTIC FRUIT)

SUMMARY:
SENIOR SUPPLY CHAIN/LOGISTICS CONTROLLER (EXOTIC FRUIT)
Location: Paarl, Western Cape
 
FRESH PRODUCE. IMPORT LOGISTICS. FREIGHT OPERATIONS
 
NON-NEGOTIABLE REQUIREMENTS: 

• Logistics or Supply Chain qualification.
• Fresh Fruit industry experience ONLY.
• 5+ years’ fresh-produce logistics experience.
• 2+ years in a senior operations role.
• Hands-on experience in reefer shipping, perishable airfreight and refrigerated road freight.
• Proven experience in cold-chain stock control, pallet reconciliations and export logistics coordination.

POSITION INFO:
Minimum requirements: Relevant degree or diploma in Logistics, Supply Chain Management or a related field. Minimum 5 years' fresh-produce export logistics experience, including at least 2 years in a senior operations role. Hands-on experience in reefer shipping, perishable airfreight and refrigerated road freight. Working knowledge of PPECB, export compliance and phytosanitary requirements. Proven experience in cold-chain stock control, pallet traceability, stock reconciliations and logistics claims. Experience in transport costing, freight invoice verification and coordinating company-owned transport. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience with stock management or trading systems. Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central or a similar ERP system advantageous. Valid driver's licence. Fluent in English and Afrikaans. Willingness to work additional hours during peak export periods. Personality Traits: Proactive self-starter who takes ownership and demonstrates accountability. Independent, organised and highly detail-oriented. Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making abilities. Calm, adaptable and solutions-focused under pressure. Commercially aware with a strong focus on accuracy, efficiency and cost control. Effective communicator who collaborates well with internal teams and external service providers. Duties and responsibilities: Take full responsibility for the Exotics division's stock and logistics operations, from cold-room receipt through to customer delivery. Coordinate sea freight, perishable airfreight and refrigerated road transport, including bookings, shipment tracking and service-provider management. Maintain accurate cold-room stock records, oversee pallet movements and ensure stock traceability and reconciliations. Coordinate cold-room activities, including receiving, loading, inspections, repacking, labelling, staging and dispatch. Prepare, verify and manage export, customs, clearing, shipping and phytosanitary documentation. Monitor freight and logistics costs, maintain approved operational cost structures and verify transport and logistics invoices. Coordinate company-owned transport, including vehicle scheduling, trip records, transport costing and reconciliations. Investigate and resolve stock discrepancies, damages, temperature deviations, shipment delays and logistics claims. Monitor logistics service-provider performance, address operational challenges and implement corrective actions. Develop and maintain accurate operational, stock and exception reporting. Ensure accurate and up-to-date information is maintained in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and related systems. Collaborate closely with Commercial, Technical, Procurement and Finance to ensure effective operational planning and execution. Identify operational risks, manage variances and implement measures to minimise financial losses. Drive continuous improvements in operational processes, stock controls, reporting accuracy and logistics efficiency.