General Manager | Epping, Cape Town | Permanent

Are you a commercially driven operational leader who knows how to turn strategy into measurable results? Take overall ownership of a growing Cape Town food distribution operation where profitability, customer service, people performance and operational excellence all sit within your remit.

Urban Foods is looking for an experienced General Manager to lead its Cape Town operation and drive the next stage of its growth. This is a hands-on leadership position suited to an experienced General Manager, Operations Director or Senior Operations Manager who understands the pace and complexity of fresh produce, food distribution, wholesale, FMCG or a related environment.

You will take responsibility for the full performance of the operation, leading across sales, procurement, logistics, finance, warehouse and administration while maintaining a close connection to the day-to-day business. The role requires a leader who can move comfortably between commercial strategy and operational execution, identifying problems early, making decisive decisions and holding teams accountable for results.

Urban Foods is a growing national fresh produce and food distribution business supplying premium produce, proteins and specialty ingredients to leading restaurants, hotels and caterers across South Africa. Its Cape Town operation is based in Epping and operates in a high-volume, time-sensitive environment where product quality, food safety, availability, service and operational efficiency are critical.

What You'll Do

• Develop and execute the Cape Town business strategy in line with broader company objectives

• Take overall responsibility for the day-to-day performance of the operation

• Drive revenue growth, profitability and sustainable business performance

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities

• Develop and maintain relationships with key restaurant, hotel, catering and wholesale customers

• Monitor sales, margins, costs and profitability and take corrective action where required

• Identify opportunities to improve gross margin, operating efficiency and cost control

• Lead and coordinate sales, procurement, logistics, finance, warehouse and administration

• Ensure products are sourced, processed, stored and delivered efficiently and to specification

• Establish, monitor and improve operational KPIs and service standards

• Identify operational risks and implement practical solutions

• Ensure the business is appropriately resourced to meet customer demand and growth objectives

• Maintain high standards of food safety, quality control and hygiene

• Ensure compliance with applicable food-safety and certification requirements, including HACCP, SANS and relevant standards

• Drive quality assurance across procurement, processing, storage and delivery

• Ensure customer product specifications and quality expectations are consistently achieved

• Lead, motivate and develop a high-performing management and operational team

• Set clear objectives, KPIs and performance expectations

• Coach managers and develop future leadership capability

• Build a culture of accountability, ownership, customer service and continuous improvement

• Manage recruitment, onboarding, performance management and succession planning

• Take ownership of the Cape Town operation's budget and financial performance

• Monitor revenue, gross margin, operating costs and profitability

• Identify financial leakage and implement corrective action

• Work closely with Finance on reporting, forecasting and commercial decision-making

• Prepare management reports, forecasts and regular performance updates

• Develop strategic relationships with key customers, suppliers and growers

• Ensure strong customer service and delivery performance

• Resolve escalated customer issues quickly and professionally

• Support procurement strategies that balance quality, availability and cost

• Analyse market trends, competitor activity and customer requirements

• Introduce processes, systems and technologies that improve performance

• Drive continuous improvement and operational efficiencies

• Develop business-continuity and risk-management plans

• Support the broader leadership team in achieving national growth objectives

What You Bring

• At least 8–10 years' management experience, with substantial responsibility across operational teams

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a senior leadership, General Management, Operations Management or comparable role

• Proven experience within fresh produce, food distribution, wholesale, FMCG, retail, hospitality supply, food manufacturing or a related environment

• Strong commercial and financial understanding

• Proven experience managing multi-disciplinary teams

• Demonstrated ability to improve revenue, profitability and operational performance

• Experience managing budgets, KPIs and operational performance

• Strong understanding of food safety, quality and compliance

• Experience managing customer and supplier relationships at a senior level

• Strong negotiation, decision-making and problem-solving ability

• Experience working in a high-volume, time-sensitive operational environment

• Strong leadership and people-management capability

• Valid driver's licence and own vehicle

• Ability to operate effectively in a hands-on distribution environment

• Willingness to work flexibly around operational requirements, including early starts and regular engagement with night-shift operations

A tertiary qualification in Business Management, Operations, Supply Chain, Food Science, Commerce or a related discipline would be advantageous.

Experience with HACCP, GlobalG.A.P., SANS or other relevant food-safety standards, as well as ERP, inventory, warehouse or supply-chain systems, will strengthen an application. Afrikaans language capability would also be advantageous where relevant to customer, supplier or team communication.

What Success Looks Like

• Cape Town revenue and profitability show sustainable improvement

• Operational efficiency improves across the end-to-end distribution operation

• Customer retention and service levels strengthen

• Stock control, wastage and operating costs are effectively managed

• New customer and revenue opportunities are identified and converted

• Supplier relationships, availability and pricing are strengthened

• The management team operates with clear accountability and measurable KPIs

• Food safety, quality and compliance standards remain consistently high

• Operational risks are identified and addressed proactively

• Cross-functional communication and execution improve

• The Cape Town operation develops a scalable platform for continued growth