Warehouse Manager / Industrial Engineer

Must be located in Cape Town

Full Time Employment

Purpose of the position:

To lead and continuously improve the warehouse, stores, kitting and material flow functions within the manufacturing environment, ensuring that materials are received, recorded, stored, planned, picked, kitted and issued safely, accurately and on time. The role is responsible for aligning inventory, processes, systems and people to support efficient production execution, inventory accuracy and operational excellence.

As an emerging Industrial Engineer, the incumbent will apply analytical, planning and process improvement principles to optimize material flow, warehouse operations and manufacturing support activities. The position serves as a developmental pathway into broader manufacturing, supply chain and production management responsibilities, with a focus on supporting the company's planned growth and evolving into a leadership role across the end-to-end manufacturing value chain over the next 2-5 years.

Inbound materials management and inventory control:

• Plan and coordinate inbound receipts to ensure material availability aligns with production and inventory requirements.
• Oversee receiving, inspection, identification, barcode management, GRN processing and inventory transactions in SYSPRO.
• Ensure discrepancies, shortages and non-conformances are investigated, resolved and communicated to relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate inventory records, traceability and bin integrity while driving continuous improvement in inventory accuracy and control processes.

Production planning, kitting and material flow:

• Coordinate and optimize picking, kitting and material issuance in accordance with production schedules and manufacturing priorities.
• Ensure material availability risks, shortages and supply constraints are identified early and communicated proactively.
• Develop and improve material flow processes between Stores, Fabrication, Assembly and external service providers to minimise delays and non-value-added activities.
• Monitor and improve kit completeness, issue accuracy, lead times and material availability performance.

Process improvement and operational excellence:

• Analyse warehouse and manufacturing support processes to identify opportunities for improved efficiency, quality and cost reduction.
• Develop, document and improve standard operating procedures, work instructions, process controls and key performance indicators.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on inventory optimisation, warehouse utilisation, productivity, waste reduction and material flow.

Warehouse systems, layout and capacity management:

• Design and maintain effective warehouse layouts, storage strategies and material handling processes that support planned business growth.
• Evaluate warehouse capacity, resource requirements and process constraints, recommending improvements where required.
• Ensure staging areas, storage locations and material movements support safe, efficient and scalable operations.
• Drive housekeeping and visual management standards throughout the warehouse and stores environment.

Safety, quality and compliance

• Ensure compliance with company policies, legal requirements, quality standards and safe working practices.
• Promote a culture of safety through risk identification, corrective actions, toolbox talks and continuous awareness initiatives.
• Support investigations into incidents, stock variances, quality failures and process nonconformances, implementing corrective and preventative actions.
• Ensure material handling, storage and inventory management processes support product quality and traceability requirements.

Leadership, development and future manufacturing integration:

• Lead and develop warehouse personnel through coaching, training, performance management and clear work allocation.
• Build capability within the team through process discipline, systems utilisation and continuous improvement thinking.
• Collaborate closely with Procurement, Planning, Production and Engineering functions to improve end-to-end manufacturing performance.
• Progressively assume broader responsibilities within manufacturing planning, process engineering, capacity optimisation and operational excellence as part of the role's long-term development pathway.

• BEng / BTech / Advanced Diploma in Industrial Engineering or equivalent engineering qualification.
• Relevant qualifications or training in Lean Manufacturing, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management or Continuous Improvement methodologies will be advantageous.
• Valid driver's licence.
• Forklift licence is advantageous but not essential.
• 3-5 years' experience in a manufacturing, production, supply chain, logistics or warehouse environment.
• Demonstrated exposure to process improvement, material flow optimisation, production planning, inventory management or operational excellence initiatives.
• Experience working with ERP systems; SYSPRO experience will be advantageous.
• Exposure to warehouse, stores, kitting, production support or manufacturing operations.
• Experience analysing operational data, developing KPIs and implementing process improvements will be advantageous.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and continuous improvement mindset.
• Ability to understand, analyse and optimise operational processes and material flows.
• Sound planning, organising and prioritisation skills with the ability to manage multiple operational demands.
• Ability to interpret engineering, manufacturing and assembly drawings.
• Strong numerical ability, attention to detail and systems thinking.
• Proficiency in ERP systems, data analysis and Microsoft Excel.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills across warehouse, procurement, planning and production functions.
• Leadership potential with the ability to influence, coach and develop others.
• High levels of accountability, initiative, integrity and ownership.
• Ability to work comfortably on both the factory floor and with operational data and systems.
• Adaptability and willingness to take on broader manufacturing, process engineering and operational responsibilities as the business grows.

30 000 – R40 000 p/m depending on experience