Operations Manager (Bloemfontein – Loop Street)
- Company: Econofoods
- Department: Logistics – Loop Street Distribution Centre
- Location: Bloemfontein
- Employment Type: Permanent
- Industry: Logistics / FMCG Retail
- Reference Number: OPSMAN1706
- Positions Available: 1
- Salary: Market Related
- Closing Date: 24 June 2026
Job Description
The Operations Manager is responsible for managing and coordinating all warehouse and distribution centre operations to ensure efficient, safe, and accurate movement of stock throughout the facility. This is a hands-on leadership role that oversees receiving, replenishment, picking, dispatch preparation, inventory integrity, and shift operations across both day and night shifts.
The successful candidate will ensure the warehouse operates efficiently, meets productivity targets, maintains stock accuracy, and supports on-time customer deliveries while leading warehouse teams and enforcing operational standards.
Purpose of the Role
To oversee and optimize all operational activities within the Distribution Centre by:
- Managing warehouse operations across shifts.
- Ensuring inventory accuracy and stock integrity.
- Leading warehouse teams to achieve operational targets.
- Maintaining safety, quality, and compliance standards.
- Supporting customer service through accurate and timely order fulfillment.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Management
- Manage all warehouse activities including:
- Goods receiving
- Stock replenishment
- Picking operations
- Dispatch preparation
- Staging and loading activities
- Ensure smooth daily warehouse operations.
- Coordinate effective handovers between day and night shifts.
- Monitor operational performance and resolve issues promptly.
- Identify operational risks and implement corrective actions.
Warehouse and Inventory Control
- Oversee stock rotation using FIFO (First In, First Out) principles.
- Ensure stock integrity and inventory accuracy.
- Monitor warehouse storage conditions and temperature controls.
- Verify accurate recording of stock movements within the Warehouse Management System (WMS).
- Coordinate stock counts, cycle counts, and inventory adjustments.
- Ensure stock discrepancies are investigated and resolved.
Team Leadership and Staff Management
- Lead, supervise, and develop warehouse personnel.
- Allocate resources and workloads effectively.
- Monitor attendance, punctuality, and productivity.
- Conduct performance management and coaching.
- Address operational and staffing issues.
- Motivate employees to achieve operational excellence.
Safety, Compliance and Quality Assurance
- Enforce PPE requirements and safe working practices.
- Ensure compliance with:
- Food safety standards
- Hygiene regulations
- Warehouse operating procedures
- Equipment operating requirements
- Conduct safety inspections and audits.
- Investigate incidents, accidents, and non-conformances.
- Promote a strong safety culture throughout the operation.
Customer Service and Quality Control
- Ensure customer orders are picked accurately and prepared on time.
- Monitor order accuracy and dispatch readiness.
- Investigate picking errors, damages, and service issues.
- Ensure trucks are loaded and staged for timely dispatch.
- Support customer satisfaction through efficient warehouse operations.
Reporting and Communication
- Monitor and report key warehouse performance indicators (KPIs).
- Prepare operational reports for management.
- Maintain accurate shift handover documentation.
- Communicate operational issues and improvement opportunities.
- Liaise with logistics, inventory, procurement, and management teams.
Minimum Requirements
Qualifications
- Grade 12 (Matric) or equivalent qualification.
Experience
- 3–5 years’ experience in:
- Warehouse Operations
- Distribution Centre Operations
- Logistics Management
- FMCG Warehousing
- Supervisory or management experience is highly advantageous.
- Experience in FMCG retail, food distribution, or cold chain logistics is preferred.
Required Competencies
Leadership Skills
- Team leadership and staff development.
- Performance management.
- Workforce planning and coordination.
- Conflict resolution and problem-solving.
Operational Skills
- Warehouse and distribution management.
- Inventory control and stock management.
- Supply chain and logistics operations.
- Process improvement and workflow optimization.
Technical Skills
- Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
- Microsoft Office proficiency.
- Operational reporting and KPI monitoring.
Communication Skills
- Strong verbal and written communication.
- Ability to coordinate across multiple departments.
- Effective stakeholder engagement.
Personal Attributes
- Strong attention to detail.
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Results-oriented mindset.
- High level of accountability.
- Strong organisational and planning skills.
- Ability to make operational decisions quickly and effectively.