Outbound Operations Manager

Job category: FMCG, Retail, Wholesale and Supply Chain

Location: Pinetown

Contract: Permanent

EE position: No

Clicks Group

To manage and optimize outbound distribution centre operations through effective leadership, financial management, strategic planning, and robust process improvement initiatives. This role ensures accurate, cost-effective, and on time deliveries to stores while maintaining exceptional service levels and operational compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage all outbound logistics and dispatch operations within the Distribution Centre
• Ensure accurate, efficient, and timely order fulfilment and store deliveries.
• Drive operational excellence through continuous improvement and process optimisation initiatives.
• Ensure adherence to operational SOPs, service level agreements, and dispatch cut off times
• Monitor operational KPIs and implement corrective actions where required
• Oversee transport scheduling and outbound planning to maximise fleet and route efficiency
• Minimise stock damages, losses, and delivery discrepancies.
• Manage departmental budgets and achieve agreed financial targets.
• Control operational costs, including labour, overtime, transport, and productivity related expenses.
• Analyse operational and financial performance metrics to identify trends and improvement opportunities
• Drive productivity improvements through effective workforce planning and operational controls
• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop operational teams to achieve performance targets.
• Manage workforce planning, labour allocation, and productivity
• Oversee labour broker performance in line with contractual agreements and cost controls
• Conduct regular performance reviews and engagement sessions
• Foster a high performance, accountable, and engaged team culture
• Manage transporter relationships and performance against agreed SLAs.
• Ensure accurate and on time deliveries to stores with effective issue resolution and communication.
• Monitor transport turnaround times and delivery performance.
• Drive improvements in transport efficiency and customer service.
• Support and optimise warehouse and logistics systems to improve operational efficiency
• Identify and implement process and system enhancements aligned to business requirements
• Lead operational change initiatives and process improvement projects.
• Ensure operational reporting accuracy and data integrity.
• Ensure compliance with all health and safety regulations, company policies, and legal requirements.
• Maintain accountability for company assets and operational equipment
• Ensure a safe, compliant, and productive working environment.
• Conduct operational audits and risk assessments.

Skills:

• Strong financial acumen and operational analytical capability
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• Ability to decide, initiate action, and lead teams under high pressure conditions.
• Natural orientation toward continuous improvement and building accountability
• Leading and Supervising
• Delivering Results and Meeting Customer Expectations
• Planning and Organising
• Analysing and Interpreting Data
• Deciding and Initiating Action
• Building High Performance Teams
• Three year tertiary qualification in Logistics, Supply Chain, Business Management, or a related field (Essential)
• Relevant Supply Chain, Distribution Centre, or Project Management certification (Advantageous).

Experience & Knowledge:

• 5-8 years of experience within a large scale Distribution Centre or warehouse operations environment
• 3-5 years of management experience specifically within FMCG, retail, or logistics operations
• Proven track record in managing outbound logistics, transport networks, and fleet coordination
• Experience managing labour brokers and third party transport providers (3PL).