Warehouse Manager | Cape Town | Permanent

Take ownership of a fast-paced warehouse operation where strong leadership, stock accuracy and operational discipline directly impact customer service. This is a hands-on opportunity for an experienced warehouse leader who thrives on the floor and knows how to get a team moving.

Our client is seeking an experienced Warehouse Manager to take responsibility for the day-to-day operation of its Epping warehouse. You will oversee receiving, storage, picking, packing, stock control and dispatch while leading a diverse operational team and ensuring customer orders are accurately and efficiently prepared.

This is not an office-based administration role. The successful candidate will be visible on the warehouse floor, actively managing people, solving operational problems, monitoring workflow and maintaining high standards across the operation. You will play a key role in reducing stock losses and wastage, improving productivity, maintaining food-safety standards and ensuring orders leave the warehouse accurately and on time.

Our client operates within the fresh produce and food distribution environment, supplying a fast-moving customer base where product quality, availability, timing and operational efficiency are critical. The environment will suit a disciplined and practical warehouse leader who is comfortable working under pressure and managing early starts and high-volume operations.

What You'll Do

• Take full responsibility for the day-to-day running of the warehouse.

• Coordinate receiving, storage, picking, packing and dispatch activities.

• Allocate daily work and resources according to operational requirements.

• Monitor workflow and resolve bottlenecks and operational issues.

• Ensure customer orders are accurately prepared and dispatched on time.

• Maintain efficient warehouse layouts and product flow.

• Conduct regular warehouse floor checks.

• Oversee stock counts, reconciliations and inventory movements.

• Investigate stock discrepancies and implement corrective action.

• Control wastage, damage, shrinkage and stock losses.

• Ensure appropriate FIFO and FEFO stock rotation.

• Monitor short-dated and perishable products.

• Manage incoming deliveries and verify quantities, quality and condition.

• Coordinate dispatch schedules, loading and delivery preparation.

• Lead, supervise, motivate and develop the warehouse team.

• Allocate workloads and set clear productivity expectations.

• Manage attendance, punctuality, performance and discipline.

• Train employees on warehouse procedures and relevant systems.

• Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene and cleanliness.

• Monitor temperature controls and cold-chain requirements where applicable.

• Ensure damaged, spoiled or contaminated products are appropriately isolated.

• Enforce health and safety procedures, PPE requirements and good housekeeping.

• Maintain accurate warehouse records, checklists and operational reports.

• Monitor order volumes, stock variances, dispatch performance and wastage.

• Ensure accurate use of warehouse, inventory and ERP systems.

• Identify process and system improvements that can increase operational efficiency.

• Provide regular operational updates to senior management.

What You Bring

• 8–10+ years of management or operational experience.

• At least 5 years' experience managing a warehouse or distribution operation.

• Proven experience managing and supervising warehouse teams.

• Experience in fresh produce, food distribution, wholesale, FMCG, retail, hospitality supply or a related environment.

• Strong receiving, picking, packing and dispatch experience.

• Strong stock-control and inventory-management capability.

• Experience managing perishable products would be advantageous.

• Good understanding of warehouse hygiene and food-safety requirements.

• Strong leadership and people-management skills.

• Excellent organisational and problem-solving ability.

• Strong attention to detail.

• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

• Own reliable vehicle and valid driver's licence.

• Ability to work early mornings and Saturdays.

• Comfortable being hands-on and visible on the warehouse floor.

Knowledge of HACCP, SANS, GlobalG.A.P., Halal or Kosher requirements would be advantageous, as would experience with ERP, warehouse-management or inventory systems, cold-chain operations and restaurant, hotel or catering supply chains.

What Success Looks Like

• Efficient and well-organised daily warehouse operations.

• Consistent order accuracy and on-time dispatch.

• Improved productivity and workflow across the warehouse.

• Accurate stock levels, counts and reconciliations.

• Reduced wastage, shrinkage, damage and stock losses.

• Effective FIFO and FEFO stock rotation.

• Strong team productivity, attendance and accountability.

• Consistent food-safety, hygiene and product-handling standards.

• Safe warehouse operations and strong housekeeping.

• Reliable operational reporting and documentation.

• Fast resolution of stock, dispatch and operational issues.

• Consistent customer service and service levels.