Manager: Supply Chain

• Leading the demand planning and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process for the Confectionery business.
• Ensuring accurate production planning for internally manufactured products to optimize manufacturing resource utilization while balancing operational capabilities with customer demand.
• Ensuring accurate inventory planning for finished goods, raw materials, and packaging materials.
• Developing and maintaining robust demand forecasting principles, frameworks, and processes in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
• Formulating, communicating, and executing the Supply Chain strategy, goals, plans, and performance measures in support of overall business objectives.
• Selecting and implementing fit-for-purpose supply chain management systems that integrate effectively with the organization's ERP platform.
• Ensuring an effective Supply Chain structure with clear roles, responsibilities, and interrelationships to support efficient execution.
• Developing, implementing, and monitoring standard operating procedures to ensure optimal service, quality, and cost performance.
• Developing and implementing material control activities to support supply plans.
• Supporting production planning, scheduling, and control through accurate forecasting, inventory optimization, and collaboration with Sales, Marketing, Technical, and Finance functions to achieve targeted customer service levels.
• Optimizing warehouse facilities, equipment, and distribution resources to achieve best-practice operational standards.
• Ensuring On-Time In-Full (OTIF) delivery of products to customers based on their service requirements.
• Managing inventory levels of finished goods, raw materials, and packaging materials in line with agreed stockholding targets.
• Monitoring inventory performance and implementing actions to reduce slow-moving, obsolete, and excess stock.
• Negotiating, implementing, and managing supply agreements, service level agreements, and commercial contracts for finished goods, raw materials, and packaging materials.
• Driving sourcing strategies that ensure security of supply, supplier diversification, cost competitiveness, and long-term sustainability.
• Managing supplier performance through regular service reviews, continuous improvement initiatives, and contractual compliance management to improve quality, service, and
• Guiding, advising, and mentoring warehouse leadership and teams on supply chain and warehouse best practices.
• Ensuring compliance with all health, safety, housekeeping, and regulatory requirements.
• Optimizing warehousing and distribution processes in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to improve efficiency, accuracy, and service delivery.
• Attracting, retaining, and developing critical supply chain capabilities.
• Setting performance expectations, measuring results, coaching for improvement, and holding employees accountable in line with company policies and procedures.
• Creating an engaging team culture and positive working environment.
• Providing access to ongoing learning and development opportunities.
• Acting as a custodian of company standards, processes, and procedures.
• Demonstrating the Premier values, leadership principles, and team commitments.
• Identifying and mitigating supply chain risks, including supplier dependency, raw material shortages, foreign exchange exposure, regulatory changes, and logistics disruptions.
• Applying sound understanding of product costing, working capital, inventory carrying costs, supplier cost drivers, and foreign exchange impacts.
• Evaluating commercial opportunities and making decisions that balance service delivery, profitability, and risk.
• Managing and controlling the Supply Chain budget and ensuring adherence to approved cost targets.
• Driving continuous cost-saving and efficiency improvement initiatives across the supply chain.

Skills and Attributes Required:

• Analytical skills, Demand planning, Buffer Management, Working Capital optimization
• Cost and budget control, Project Management skills

Experience and Knowledge:

• Supply Chain/Logistics Management experience at Senior Management level - 7 - 10 years)
• Manager of supply chain/planning/procurement or logistics team 3 – 5 years

• Matric or equivalent qualification
• B Engineering Essential OR B Comm (Logistics/ Supply Chain)
• Post grad qualification in Supply Chain Management