National DC Logistics Manager - Midrand

Description

Dis-Chem Pharmacies’ in Midrand has an opportunity available for a National DC Logistics Manager to join the team. The National DC Logistics Manager is accountable for translating tactical plans into operational plans for all Distribution Centres (DCs) nationwide. The role ensures the operational profitability, efficiency, and effectiveness of each DC while maintaining high standards in employee engagement, operational excellence, and compliance. The position oversees operational processes and infrastructure but does not alter strategic objectives set by the executive team.

Minimum Requirements… Essential:

• Grade 12 / Matric
• Bachelor’s Degree (BCom, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or related field).
• Minimum of 10 years in logistics/operations management, with at least 5 years in a senior management role.
• Proven experience managing multiple operational sites and budgets.
• Demonstrated leadership in employee engagement and team development.

Job Specification…

Strategic Supply Chain Leadership

• Develop and implement the national DC strategy aligned with Dis-Chem’s retail and healthcare growth priorities.
• Lead cross-functional teams to improve service delivery, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
• Ensure DCs operate as a seamless enabler of store and pharmacy performance, supporting availability, service levels, and customer experience.
• Lead capacity planning, automation, and technology adoption to future-proof operations.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee day-to-day DC operations across multiple sites, ensuring stock accuracy, timely deliveries, and compliance with health, safety, and legal standards.
• Ensure all operational processes and systems are optimized to achieve DC objectives and targets.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and implement approved operational changes.
• Oversee and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) by ensuring proper documentation and consistent execution nationally.
• Drive efficiency improvements (cost per case, on-time deliveries, stock loss reduction).
• Ensure site level reporting is robust and comprehensive to drive insightful decision making
• Use of data, reports and analytics to make Operations changes to further improve, cost, service and to reduce losses

Integrated Retail and Pharmacy Support

• Collaborate closely with Pharmacy, Store, and Clinic managers to ensure DC performance directly supports service excellence at the customer-facing level.
• Translate customer and store needs into DC priorities (availability, responsiveness, quality).
• Enable feedback loop between stores, pharmacies, and DCs to continually refine service delivery.

Service Provider and Stakeholder Management

• Establish and manage relationships with third-party service providers to support business needs.
• Drive consistent achievement of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) across all distribution operations.
• Collaborate operationally with stores, customers, and vendors to ensure seamless service delivery.
• Provide operational feedback and recommendations to support continuous improvement.

Financial Management

• Manage budgets, operational costs, and ensure profitability across the national DC sites.
• Monitor and report on Income Statement performance and highlight variances to support informed decision-making.
• Understand the impact of operation decisions on finances
• Use productivity measures to positively improve finances
• Understand Key cost drivers within the Dc with the view to absorb or self-fund inflation
• Understand the impact of labour resourcing and effectively manage to reduce permanent and temporary labour normal and overtime costs

Health, Safety, Risk and Compliance

• Drive compliance with all health and safety regulatory standards across all national DCs.
• Establish, enforce, and continuously review safety policies and procedures to ensure a culture of operational excellence and risk mitigation.
• Deliver on agreed KPIs: order fill rate, delivery accuracy, cost efficiency, stock availability, and shrinkage.
• Manage risks related to supply chain disruptions, labour relations, and compliance with SAPHRA and other regulatory requirements.
• Ensure resilience through robust business continuity plans.

Supply Chain Optimization

• Collaborate with the Supply Chain Optimization Executive to implement national DC optimization initiatives.
• Monitor the impact of operational changes on efficiency and service delivery.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks across the supply chain and logistics functions.

Infrastructure and Asset Management

• Oversee DC facilities, equipment, and assets to ensure operational efficiency.
• Ensure infrastructure and assets are maintained and effectively utilized.

People and Culture Leadership

• Foster a harmonious and high-performing working environment across all DCs.
• Promote effective communication, teamwork, and positive employee engagement.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and coaching to DC Managers and staff.
• Build and sustain a culture of collaboration, recognition, and fairness in line with Dis-Chem values.
• Develop DC leadership teams and frontline managers to lead with calm, patient leadership under pressure.
• Ensure workforce engagement, talent development, and succession planning across all DCs.
• Actively look to improve working environment and culture in the warehouse, using internal measures to track progress.
• Oversee recruitment, training, and capacity development of DC staff.
• Implement performance management processes, succession planning, and career development initiatives.

Competencies Essential:

• Knowledge: Expertise in operational processes, supply chain management, and DC logistics.
• Financial Analysis: The ability to interpret and act upon financial information. Financial management experience at Income Statement level.
• Commercial Acumen: Strong Commercial Acumen and ability to drive profitability.
• Corporate Insight: The ability to understand the unique business environment, the interrelationships, culture and complexity of the diverse industry and the organisations niche within such a corporate environment.
• Critical Thinking: The ability to demonstrate a logical, critical and sequential thought process.
• Communication Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for stakeholder engagement.
• Interpersonal Skills: The ability to build and maintain relevant and applicable/appropriate networks internally and externally through personal contact and involvement.
• Networking: The ability to build and maintain relevant and applicable/appropriate networks internally and externally through personal contact and involvement.
• Client Service: The servicing of client’s needs, considering the best interests of both the organisation and the client and creating a positive client attitude towards the company.
• Leadership Skills: Strong Leadership and People Management skills.
• Presentation Skills: The ability to express oneself effectively in groups, either formally or informally.
• Negotiation Skills: The ability to be able to reach a compromise between two conflicting parties.
• Emotional Intelligence: High Emotional Intelligence (EQ) with the ability to manage complex employee relations.

Special conditions of employment

• Occasional travelling
• South African citizen
• MIE, no criminal record and clear credit rating
• Driver’s license and own reliable transport

Remuneration and benefits

• Market related salary
• Medical aid
• Provident fund
• Staff account

ONLY SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED. IF YOU HAVEN`T BEEN CONTACTED WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE CLOSING DATE CONSIDER YOUR APPLICATION AS UNSUCCESSFUL.

Dis-Chem Pharmacies is an equal opportunity employer. Dis-Chem’s approved Employment Equity Plan and targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process aligned to Dis-Chem’s Employment Equity and Transformation Strategy. Dis-Ch