SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGER - FMCG - Cape Town, 80K Neg

Introduction

Key Skills & Competencies

  • Strong supply chain and operations management expertise
  • Strategic sourcing and supplier negotiation skills
  • Strong financial and analytical capabilities with the ability to assess Gross Profit per SKU and raw material
  • Advanced forecasting and demand planning capabilities
  • Inventory management and logistics coordination
  • Strong leadership and team management
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally within a small, high-performance team
  • Ability to clearly communicate with suppliers, manufacturers, logistics partners, and internal teams
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-growth environment

Duties & Responsibilities

Operational Management

  • Oversee and manage all operational supply chain functions of the business.
  • Coordinate activities across procurement, inventory management, manufacturing, warehousing, shipping, and receiving.
  • Ensure operational efficiency across all supply chain processes to support production and distribution requirements.
  • Manage and supervise the Supply Chain Coordinator, ensuring effective execution of operational supply chain activities.
  • Implement systems and processes to improve supply chain visibility, reporting, and operational efficiency.

 

Procurement & Supplier Management

  • Manage the procurement of raw materials, packaging, and other inputs in line with operational and manufacturing requirements.
  • Develop, negotiate, and maintain strategic supplier agreements to achieve cost efficiencies and supply reliability.
  • Negotiate improved pricing, payment terms, and service levels with suppliers.
  • Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure quality, delivery performance, and competitive pricing.
  • Evaluate supplier performance and implement corrective actions where necessary.
  • Ensure the timely sourcing and procurement of raw materials and packaging to support manufacturing schedules.

 

Manufacturing Planning & Coordination

  • Develop and maintain accurate manufacturing forecasts based on demand planning and sales projections.
  • Ensure sufficient raw materials and packaging are available to support manufacturing orders (MOs).
  • Issue manufacturing orders to production partners in a timely manner to prevent stockouts while adhering to manufacturing lead times.
  • Prioritize manufacturing orders based on business needs and product availability requirements.
  • Communicate upcoming manufacturing forecasts to manufacturing partners to ensure production readiness.
  • Coordinate closely with manufacturing partners and warehouse teams to ensure smooth production flow and accurate timelines for finished goods delivery.
  • Provide visibility to warehouse teams on expected finished goods arrival to support inventory planning and distribution.

 

Cost Management, Profitability & Analysis

  • Calculate and manage landed costs for all imported and locally sourced materials, including freight, duties, handling, and associated logistics costs.
  • Monitor and control material costs to ensure alignment with company profitability targets.
  • Regularly assess and analyse Gross Profit (GP) performance per SKU and raw material input.
  • Identify cost drivers within the supply chain and implement strategies to improve margins and reduce costs.
  • Support financial planning and pricing decisions with supply chain cost insights.

 

Forecasting & Planning

  • Develop, maintain, and continuously improve procurement and manufacturing forecasts.
  • Work closely with sales, marketing, and finance teams to align supply chain planning with business demand.
  • Ensure forecasting accuracy to maintain optimal stock levels and avoid stockouts or overstock situations.
  • Continuously monitor supply chain performance metrics and adjust forecasts where necessary.

 

Inventory & Material Control

  • Oversee inventory planning and stock control to ensure optimal stock levels across the supply chain.
  • Implement systems and processes to reduce waste, stock losses, and operational inefficiencies.
  • Ensure the timely flow of materials into manufacturing processes.
  • Monitor stock levels of raw materials, packaging, and finished goods to support operational continuity.

 

Logistics & Distribution

  • Ensure the timely flow of materials into production and the return of finished goods to distribution facilities within established timeframes.
  • Oversee shipping and receiving operations to ensure accuracy, compliance, and efficiency, particularly for imported goods.
  • Coordinate logistics processes to support smooth product movement throughout the supply chain.
  • Work closely with logistics providers and warehouse teams to optimize distribution performance.

 

Compliance & Food Safety

  • Ensure full traceability of raw materials and finished goods throughout the supply chain.
  • Support quality and compliance initiatives in alignment with Food Safety Management Systems.
  • Work with internal teams and suppliers to maintain regulatory compliance within the food and supplement industry.

Desired Experience & Qualification

Technical Requirements

  • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (non-negotiable)
  • Proficient in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem
  • Experience working with cloud-based project management systems such as ClickUp, Monday.com, Asana, or similar tools
  • Comfortable working with supply chain data, cost models, and financial reporting

Preferred Qualifications & Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field.
  • 5–10 years’ experience leading or managing supply chain functions within a food product or supplement company.
  • Direct experience within the food, FMCG, or nutritional supplement industry (non-negotiable).
  • Experience managing manufacturing planning, procurement, and supplier negotiations.
  • Experience working with international suppliers and import logistics.
  • Knowledge of Food Safety Management Systems and regulatory compliance.
  • Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and with external partners.

Package & Remuneration

80K neg

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