{"id":3284941,"url":"https://alion.io/job/job-mail-operations-manager-fruit-cold-storage-facility","title":"Operations Manager (Fruit Cold Storage Facility)","company":{"id":701519,"name":"Job Mail","domain":"jobmail.co.za","url":"https://alion.io/company/job-mail","size_band":null,"is_staffing_agency":true,"employer_type":"agency","is_intermediary":true,"listed_via":"jobmail.co.za","ats_vendor":"Schema","truth_index":{"grade":"C","score":65,"open_postings":6927,"ghost_share":0.489,"stale_share":0,"repost_share":0.711,"time_to_fill_p50_days":7,"computed_at":"2026-10-30T05:48:23Z"}},"role":"Management","role_family":"Management","seniority":null,"employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["South Africa"],"countries":["ZA"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":21000,"max_usd":53000,"period":"year","method":"role_country_seniority_unknown","sample_n":73},"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-26T17:23:37Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-26","last_verified_at":"2026-10-26T17:23:37Z","board_verified":false,"closed_at":null,"days_open":4,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":4},"description":"We are seeking a highly experienced and results-driven Operations Manager to oversee and manage the overall operations of a fruit cold storage facility. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the smooth and efficient functioning of cold storage, warehousing, stock management, fruit handling, dispatch, logistics, and staff operations.This is a senior operational role requiring an individual who can take ownership, make sound decisions, resolve operational challenges, and lead teams effectively with minimal supervision.\nExtensive experience specifically within a fruit cold storage facility is essential. The successful candidate must be able to hit the ground running, demonstrate a thorough understanding of the industry, and manage operations independently without requiring extensive training.\nPlease note that experience in milk, frozen products, general cold storage, packhouses, or similar industries will not be considered a suitable substitute for direct fruit cold storage experience.\nKey Responsibilities\n1. Overall Operations Management\nOversee and manage the daily operations of the fruit cold storage facility, ensuring efficiency, productivity, and compliance with operational standards.\nDevelop, implement, and monitor operational procedures to improve workflow and minimise delays.\nCoordinate intake, storage, stock movements, order preparation, and dispatch activities.\nEnsure customer orders are processed accurately and dispatched within required timeframes.\nIdentify operational bottlenecks and implement effective solutions.\nEnsure the facility operates efficiently while maintaining product quality and customer service standards.\nTake full accountability for operational performance and ensure issues are resolved promptly.\n2. Cold Storage and Fruit Management\nOversee cold room operations and ensure appropriate storage conditions are maintained for different fruit varieties.\nMonitor temperature control, fruit handling, stock rotation, and storage procedures.\nEnsure fruit is stored, handled, and moved in accordance with product specifications and quality requirements.\nMonitor cold room capacity and coordinate storage allocation to maximise available space.\nEnsure pallets are correctly positioned, identified, scanned, and tracked throughout the facility.\nInvestigate and address stock discrepancies, damaged pallets, temperature deviations, and other operational irregularities.\nEnsure cold rooms and surrounding operational areas are maintained in a clean, safe, and orderly condition.\n3. Warehouse, Dispatch and Logistics\nManage the movement of fruit from intake through storage to final dispatch.\nOversee container scheduling, loading operations, and coordination with transporters and forwarding agents.\nEnsure containers arrive on schedule and are loaded accurately and efficiently.\nVerify that the correct fruit, specifications, labels, and documentation accompany each consignment.\nMonitor dispatch performance and implement measures to improve turnaround times.\nEnsure scanning systems and stock records accurately reflect pallet locations and movements.\nInvestigate and resolve delays, loading errors, missing pallets, and transport-related challenges.\nEnsure all relevant dispatch documentation and reports are completed accurately and submitted timeously.\n4. Staff Leadership and Performance Management\nLead, manage, and motivate operational teams across cold storage, intake, dispatch, loading, forklift operations, and scanning.\nAllocate responsibilities and ensure clear communication of operational priorities.\nMonitor productivity, attendance, performance, and adherence to standard operating procedures.\nEnsure appropriate staffing levels and shift arrangements to meet operational requirements.\nAddress performance issues, implement corrective measures, and maintain workplace discipline.\nIdentify training requirements and ensure employees understand their duties and responsibilities.\nFoster a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.\n5. Quality Assurance and Compliance\nEnsure compliance with relevant fruit handling, cold storage, food safety, and quality control requirements.\nOversee preparations for PPECB inspections and re-inspections, ensuring all documentation and fruit are ready as required.\nEnsure inspection procedures are followed and inspected products are returned to their correct storage locations.\nMonitor adherence to customer specifications and export-related requirements.\nInvestigate quality concerns, product damage, and operational non-conformances, implementing corrective action where necessary.\nMaintain accurate operational records and ensure traceability of stock and consignments.\n6. Operational Planning and Reporting\nMonitor key operational performance indicators, including productivity, stock accuracy, dispatch efficiency, and staff performance.\nReview operational reports and identify opportunities to improve service delivery and cost efficiency.\nManage operational resources effectively, including labour, equipment, storage space, and transport coordination.\nEnsure equipment and infrastructure issues are reported and resolved promptly.\nLiaise with senior management regarding operational performance, challenges, and improvement initiatives.\nProvide regular updates and reports on operational activities and performance.\nMinimum Requirements\nProven experience in an Operations Management role within a fruit cold storage facility is essential.\nA strong, practical understanding of fruit cold storage operations, including intake, storage, stock movements, temperature control, and dispatch.\nDemonstrable experience managing large operational teams in a fast-paced environment.\nStrong knowledge of fruit handling procedures, pallet management, container loading, and dispatch coordination.\nExperience with stock control systems, scanning processes, and operational reporting.\nKnowledge of PPECB inspections and fruit export requirements will be advantageous.\nExcellent leadership, planning, organisational, and problem-solving skills.\nAbility to make decisions independently and manage operational challenges with minimal supervision.\nStrong communication and interpersonal skills.\nA hands-on management approach with the ability to take immediate ownership of the operation.\nKey Competencies\nStrategic and operational leadership\nStrong decision-making and problem-solving\nStaff management and accountability\nOperational planning and workflow optimisation\nAttention to detail and quality control\nTime management and deadline-driven execution\nCost awareness and resource management\nAbility to perform under pressure\nSalary\n Highly negotiable, based on relevant experience, operational expertise, and suitability for the role.If you have substantial operational management experience specifically within a fruit cold storage facility and can confidently take ownership of a demanding operation from day one, we invite you to submit your CV for consideration.","description_format":"text","description_chars":7004,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":null,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":null,"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":[],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Crypto Wallets","Frozen Food","Industrial Real Estate"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-26T17:59:47Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":46,"band":"ok","label":"Likely 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