Distribution Centre General Manager

The Distribution Centre General Manager is accountable for the overall strategic, operational, financial and people performance of the assigned Distribution Centre, ensuring reliable, efficient and cost-effective supply to the Group's corporate and franchise stores.

The role provides leadership across the full Distribution Centre value chain, including Receiving, Production, Warehouse, Inventory, Logistics, Dispatch, Food Safety, Quality and operational support functions, while ensuring stock integrity, cold-chain compliance, service excellence and adherence to company standards.

The DC General Manager translates the National Distribution Centre strategy into effective site-level execution, ensuring the Distribution Centre has the capability, capacity, leadership and operating discipline required to support current demand and continued Group growth.

Responsibilities :

Distribution Centre Leadership & End-to-End Operational Performance

• Provide overall leadership and accountability for the performance of the Distribution Centre.
• Ensure effective execution across Receiving, Production, Warehouse, Inventory, Logistics and Dispatch functions.
• Translate national DC strategy, standards and operating requirements into site-level plans and execution.
• Ensure operational processes, SOPs and controls are implemented consistently across all departments.
• Monitor productivity, capacity, service performance and operational risks.
• Resolve cross-functional bottlenecks affecting product flow and store service.
• Ensure Production and Dispatch activities are optimised for efficiency, accuracy and quality.

Inventory Management, Stock Integrity & Loss Control

• Maintain overall accountability for stock held within the Distribution Centre.
• Ensure effective stock-counting, cycle-counting and stock-take processes.
• Investigate significant stock variances and ensure corrective action is implemented.
• Maintain strong controls over poultry, finished product, consumables and other QSR-related inventory.
• Manage shrinkage, damages, expiry, spoilage and stock losses.
• Ensure appropriate inventory governance and stock movement controls across Receiving, Production and Warehouse functions.

Production, Food Safety, Quality & Cold-Chain Performance

• Ensure poultry processing, preparation, batching and packing activities meet required product specifications.
• Ensure Production achieves required output, quality and efficiency standards.
• Maintain cold-chain integrity for chilled and frozen products throughout DC operations.
• Ensure appropriate food safety, hygiene, HACCP and quality standards are implemented and maintained.
• Minimise spoilage, contamination and product loss.
• Ensure appropriate quality control systems are maintained for chicken, sauces, marinades and other relevant products.
• Ensure audit findings and non-conformances are corrected within required timelines.

Logistics, Transport & Store Service Performance

• Ensure reliable and timely delivery of stock to stores.
• Monitor delivery schedules, route performance and OTIF service levels.
• Ensure Distribution Centre and Logistics teams maintain effective dispatch readiness.
• Work with Logistics leadership to optimise fleet utilisation, routing and transport efficiency.
• Ensure store deliveries are completed accurately and in full to minimise service disruption.
• Resolve significant delivery, route and customer service issues.
• Maintain strong cold-chain controls through the dispatch and transport process.

People Leadership & Organisational Capability

• Build and lead a high-performance Distribution Centre management team.
• Ensure appropriately skilled leadership is in place across all critical operational functions.•
• Drive performance management, coaching, training and employee development.
• Ensure appropriate workforce planning, shift structures and staffing levels.
• Build succession and talent pipelines for critical management and operational roles.
• Promote accountability, teamwork, employee engagement and operational discipline.
• Ensure people matters are managed in partnership with Human Resources and in line with company policy.

Financial Management, Cost Control & Commercial Performance

• Manage Distribution Centre operating costs and performance against approved budgets.
• Monitor key financial and operational cost indicators.
• Identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary operating costs and inefficiencies.
• Monitor waste, stock loss, labour utilisation and transport-related costs.
• Support product costing and cost optimisation initiatives.
• Evaluate operational expenditure and capital requirements and submit recommendations to the National General Manager – DCs.
• Ensure financial controls support sustainable DC performance.

Stakeholder Management, Governance, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain effective working relationships with internal departments, suppliers, franchisees and store management.
• Ensure monthly operational, people, inventory, maintenance and financial reports are accurate and submitted on time.
• Ensure compliance with Group policies, regulatory requirements and national DC standards.
• Maintain effective security controls to protect employees, stock and company assets.•
• Drive continuous improvement and process optimisation across all DC departments.
• Identify opportunities for automation, technology and improved ways of working.
• Drive waste reduction and sustainable operational practices.

Requirements :

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Operations Management or related field.
• Minimum 5–7 years' experience in Distribution Centre, warehouse, logistics or related operations.
• Minimum 3–5 years in a senior management role.
• Proven experience managing large-scale warehouse or Distribution Centre operations.
• Experience managing multi-functional operational teams.
• Strong understanding of inventory and stock management.
• Strong commercial and financial understanding.
• Proficiency in Warehouse Management Systems and operational software.