Logistics Manager

Our client is a well-established FMCG food manufacturing business supplying products and ingredients into the bakery and broader food industry across South Africa and selected cross-border markets.

Operating a national manufacturing, warehousing and distribution network , the business manages temperature-sensitive products through a complex supply chain spanning Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town . Its logistics operation incorporates cold-chain storage, internal fleet operations, third-party logistics providers and national depot replenishment.

This is a high-volume, operationally complex environment where product availability, food safety, OTIF delivery, cost management and continuous improvement are critical to business performance.

We are looking for an experienced FMCG logistics professional to take ownership of a complex national cold-chain and primary logistics operation.

Based in Durban , this role manages the supply and replenishment network across Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town , with responsibility for service delivery, stock availability, cost, fleet utilisation and continuous improvement. The operation includes both an internal fleet and 3PL transport providers , requiring someone who understands how to optimise performance across both.

• 5+ years' people management experience within an FMCG logistics environment
• Strong cold-chain / cold-room experience
• Experience managing internal transport fleets and 3PL providers
• Strong understanding of national distribution, replenishment and stock planning
• Proven Continuous Improvement and process improvement capability
• A track record of identifying inefficiencies, taking ownership and delivering measurable improvements
• Strong commercial understanding of logistics costs, budgets, route costs and fleet utilisation
• A forward-thinking approach – someone who anticipates issues rather than simply reacting to them
• Strong supplier and stakeholder management capability
• Comfortable operating in a fast-moving, deadline-driven environment
• Willing and able to travel nationally on a regular basis

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate specific examples of where they have taken ownership of a logistics challenge, improved a process and delivered a tangible business result .

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can balance customer service, cost, operational efficiency and continuous improvement while keeping a national cold-chain operation running effectively.