Assistant Manager – Supply Chain

MAIN REPONSIBILITIES:

1. Team Supervision and Operational Coordination

• Translate weekly supply chain priorities into clear assignments, deadlines and expected outputs for assigned planners and coordinators.
• Supervise, coach and support team members; monitor workload, accuracy, productivity and adherence to agreed processes and service levels.
• Conduct regular operational huddles and exception reviews, maintain action trackers and ensure timely closure or escalation of issues.
• Ensure adequate task coverage, cross-training, documented procedures and continuity arrangements for critical activities.
• Prepare concise performance summaries, risks and recommendations for review by the Senior Manager - Supply Chain.

2. Demand Planning, Replenishment and Promotion Readiness

• Maintain demand forecasts for assigned categories and outlets using sales history, seasonality, promotions, new products, store events, business intelligence and known supply constraints.
• Review system-generated replenishment proposals and exceptions, validate orders within delegated authority and ensure timely release and follow-up.
• Review and maintain replenishment parameters, including lead times, safety stocks, minimum order quantities, order cycles, service levels and supplier calendars.
• Coordinate promotional, festive and peak-period forecasts, order quantities and delivery plans with Commercial and Store Operations, highlighting gaps and risks early.
• Monitor forecast accuracy and bias, automated-order adoption, planner overrides and exception resolution, and implement corrective action where performance is below target.
• Support supply planning for new-product launches, range changes, store openings, refurbishments and other business events.

3. Inventory and Product Availability

• Monitor on-shelf availability, stockouts, stock cover, inventory turnover, excess stock, ageing and obsolete inventory within the assigned scope.
• Investigate root causes of availability and inventory gaps and coordinate corrective actions with Commercial, Store Operations, suppliers and logistics partners.
• Support inventory and working-capital targets by identifying abnormal stock positions and recommending transfers, order changes, returns, markdowns or exit actions.
• Ensure that promotional residual stock, delistings, substitutions and supply interruptions are supported by clear inventory and recovery plans.
• Maintain accurate item-supplier data, lead times, pack sizes, minimum order quantities, calendars, service levels and other supply chain master data required for effective replenishment.
• Prepare inventory projections, shortage lists and excess-stock reports and ensure agreed actions are followed through.

4. Supplier, Import and Logistics Coordination

• Follow up purchase orders, order confirmations, delivery appointments, late orders, shortages and substitutions with suppliers and relevant internal teams.
• Maintain supplier and logistics-provider scorecards covering fill rate, OTIF, lead-time adherence, responsiveness, claims and service performance.
• Coordinate routine import, freight, cross-dock, distribution-centre and store-delivery activities, including shipment documentation, estimated arrival dates and delivery priorities.
• Monitor urgent freight, demurrage, detention, damages, claims and avoidable exceptional costs, and escalate material exposure promptly.
• Support supplier and service-provider performance reviews by preparing data, following corrective-action plans and tracking agreed commitments.
• Support delegated requests for quotation and procurement follow-up in accordance with approval limits, policies and ethical standards.

5. Performance Analytics, Systems and Continuous Improvement

• Prepare accurate and timely dashboards and reports covering availability, planning, inventory, suppliers, imports, logistics, productivity and cost.
• Validate source data, investigate variances and use root-cause analysis to convert performance gaps into practical corrective actions.
• Support effective use of planning tools, ERP systems and business-intelligence platforms, including user support, parameter governance and issue follow-up.
• Lead smaller improvement initiatives or assigned project workstreams from problem definition through implementation, user adoption and benefits tracking.
• Document and standardise procedures, controls and work instructions and identify opportunities for automation, simplification and productivity improvement.
• Maintain reliable action logs, project records and audit trails and provide clear updates on progress, risks and decisions required.

6. Cross-Functional Service, Compliance and Safety

• Coordinate daily supply chain activities with Commercial, Store Operations, Finance, Marketing, IT, Human Capital and other relevant functions.
• Respond to internal service issues promptly, communicate constraints clearly and maintain a customer-focused approach to problem resolution.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, approval limits, internal controls, audit requirements and documented supply chain procedures.
• Support business-continuity and peak-period plans by maintaining current risk, contact and contingency information for assigned activities.
• Work with the Safety and Health function to ensure that transport, warehousing and material-handling activities under the role's oversight meet established safety requirements.
• Ensure incidents, risks and non-compliance matters are reported, investigated and addressed in accordance with company requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations, Business Management or a related field; an equivalent combination of qualifications and relevant experience may be considered.
• A recognised supply chain, procurement, logistics, data or project-management certification would be an advantage.
• Valid driving license, with the ability to travel between outlets, warehouses, suppliers and service-provider sites as required.

• At least five years of progressive experience in supply chain planning, replenishment, inventory, procurement, imports, logistics or distribution.
• At least one to two years of experience supervising, coordinating or coaching a team or operational workstream.
• Experience in retail, FMCG, distribution or another high-volume, multi-site environment is strongly preferred.
• Practical experience in demand planning, replenishment, inventory analysis and supplier or logistics follow-up.
• Evidence of measurable improvements in availability, inventory, service, cost, accuracy or productivity.

OTHER REQUISITES:

• Strong Excel and data-analysis capability, with experience using ERP, replenishment, planning or inventory-management systems.
• Experience with business-intelligence tools such as Power BI; experience with planning tools would be an advantage.
• Sound understanding of forecasts, service levels, stock cover, working capital, supplier performance and logistics cost drivers.
• Ability to convert operational data into clear priorities, actions, recommendations and concise management updates.

Leadership Competencies

• Execution and follow-through
• Analytical thinking and sound judgement
• Team supervision and coaching
• Cross-functional communication and influence
• Customer focus and service orientation
• Attention to detail and process discipline
• Integrity, resilience and accountability
• Prioritisation in a fast-paced environment