NightShift Manager

We are looking for a hands-on Nightshift Manager to oversee and manage all night shift operations within the Distribution Centre. This includes warehouse operations, poultry picking, marinade blending, lug wash, vehicle pre-cooling, loading and dispatch.

The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring that all 03:00 routes are dispatched accurately and on schedule, while maintaining strict compliance with operational procedures, food safety, hygiene, cold chain requirements, people management and company SOPs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage and oversee all night shift operations across the warehouse, poultry, marinade blending, lug wash and dispatch functions.
• Conduct daily roll calls, manage attendance and ensure all employees report for duty on time and in full uniform.
• Conduct pre-shift and end-of-shift site inspections to ensure operational readiness, housekeeping and site security.
• Ensure all SOPs are consistently adhered to across all night shift departments.
• Oversee warehouse and poultry picking activities, ensuring stock is picked accurately and in accordance with FIFO/FEFO principles.
• Monitor stock verification, palletising, shrink-wrapping, staging and cycle counts, and address any damages, shortages or picking irregularities.
• Conduct random route checks to verify picking accuracy and operational compliance.
• Ensure temperature-sensitive poultry stock is handled correctly and the cold chain is maintained throughout the picking and loading process.
• Coordinate vehicle pre-cooling and ensure vehicles meet the required temperature before stock is loaded.
• Work closely with the Dispatch Supervisor and Shunter Driver to ensure trucks are correctly staged, loaded, secured and dispatched according to schedule.
• Ensure all 03:00 routes are staged and dispatched on time.
• Monitor loading activities to ensure stock is correctly loaded, weight is evenly distributed and load bars and trolleys are properly secured.
• Ensure trucks are locked, sealed, plugged in and cooling units are operational before departure.
• Oversee marinade blending operations and ensure recipes, cold-chain requirements, hygiene and cleaning procedures are followed.
• Manage the lug wash operation and ensure the correct PPE, chemicals and equipment are available and that all cleaning checklists are completed.
• Manage employee performance, discipline, attendance, training and development.
• Ensure adequate staffing and departmental coverage throughout the shift.
• Identify operational improvement opportunities and escalate non-conformances, maintenance and health and safety concerns to the relevant management team.
• Ensure all required reports, handovers and SOP documentation are accurately completed and communicated to relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure the site is secure, clean and all operational areas are appropriately locked at the end of each shift.

Requirements:

• Proven experience in a Warehouse, Distribution Centre, Logistics or Nightshift Management role.
• Experience managing multiple operational functions within a fast-paced distribution or FMCG environment.
• Strong knowledge of warehouse operations, stock control, picking, loading and dispatch processes.
• Experience managing temperature-controlled products and maintaining cold-chain compliance.
• Sound understanding of FIFO/FEFO principles and stock rotation practices.
• Experience coordinating vehicle loading, dispatch schedules and transport operations.
• Strong people management experience, including performance management, discipline, attendance and employee development.
• Experience managing large and diverse operational teams in a shift-based environment.
• Strong understanding of health and safety, hygiene and SOP compliance.
• Excellent planning, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Strong administrative and reporting skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, remain calm under pressure and manage competing operational priorities.
• Willingness and ability to work night shifts.