Logistics Team Leader

Job Purpose

Coordinate and oversee inventory management functions for the Cape Town Business Unit to ensure the optimum availability, accuracy, and control of equipment and BAR stock, enabling the consistent delivery of client requirements and organisational service standards while maintaining compliance with inventory management procedures and cost control objectives.

Principal Accountabilities

• Check stock availability according to stock counts and against the production schedule to coordinate and ensure the distribution (variance needs to be ordered) and availability of equipment.
• Monitor equipment (major galley and rotable equipment) breakages and report to Client according to procedure to ensure repairs or replacement of equipment.
• Coordinate stock takes investigate variances, and report stock levels according to client requirements.
• Analyse information and compile various reports according to departmental requirements.
• Liaise with internal and external clients to investigate and resolve client queries and implement appropriate actions to resolve queries.
• Control and maintain accurate bar inventory.
• Monitor receiving, Issuing bar stock according to flight requirements.
• Reconcile outbound and returned stock.
• Capture all stock movements accurately.
• Conduct regular stock counts and investigate variances.
• Monitor stock rotation and expiry dates (FIFO/FEFO).
• Minimise stock losses, breakages, and wastage.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, food safety, aviation security, and liquor regulations.
• Prepare accurate inventory and variance reports.
• Plan and allocate staff to ensure the right number of people are working in the right areas to meet operational needs.
• Set clear performance expectations for team members, regularly review their work, and give feedback to ensure targets are met.
• Address performance issues promptly using fair and consistent employee relations (ER) procedures so that objectives are achieved.
• Support staff growth by creating development plans, holding regular check-ins, and providing training, guidance, and on-the-job coaching.
• Assist in talent development by identifying high-potential team members and supporting their growth opportunities within the business.
• Manage service providers by assigning work and monitoring adherence to service level agreements (SLAs).
• Serve as the operational point of contact for allocated key accounts, ensuring client requirements are met and service issues are resolved promptly.
• Investigate Customer complaints
• Attend Stakeholder engagements
• Provide input to the Unit Manager on budget needs for the area, ensuring financial planning supports operational goals.
• Review and check cost-related requests or proposals to confirm they are realistic, necessary, and align with financial guidelines before passing to the Unit Manager for approval.
• Monitor and control spending in Logistics area, promptly reporting any variances or cost concerns to the Unit Manager.
• Support projects and tasks that add value to the operation, ensuring they align with financial objectives.
• Review financial information and flag opportunities for cost savings or improvements in profitability to the Unit Manager.
• Ensure the effective implementation and monitoring of SHEQ and HACCP related programs.

Qualifications & Experience

• National Diploma in Logistics, Operations Management, or related field
• 3 years’ experience in Warehouse/Inventory Management
• 2 years’ experience in a supervisory or team leader role.
• Strong knowledge of stock control systems, preferably SAP.

Knowledge and Skills

• Team leadership and supervision
• Staff scheduling and resource planning
• Employee coaching and development
• Performance management
• Conflict resolution
• Decision-making and accountability
• Logistics and distribution coordination
• Inventory and stock management
• Demand planning and replenishment
• Continuous improvement and process optimisation
• SAP proficiency
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and reporting
• Report writing and documentation control
• Communication Skills
• Problem-Solving Skills

Attributes

• Leadership and Accountability
• Integrity and Reliability
• Customer-Centric Mindset
• Attention to Detail
• Results-Driven
• Problem-Solving Ability
• Planning and Organising
• Resilience and Adaptability
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Continuous Improvement Mindset
• Safety Consciousness
• Analytical Thinking
• People Development Focus

Additional Information

Air Chefs SOC Ltd is a premium food solutions company with over 40 years of experience. A wholly owned subsidiary of South African Airways, we are uniquely positioned to deliver exceptional food and hospitality services across air, corporate, and event sectors. With three strategically located operational units in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, we have the capacity to produce over 50000 meals daily, serving domestic and international airlines, airport lounges, events, and corporate canteens.