Inventory Shift Manager

takealot.com, South Africa's leading online retailer, is looking for a highly talented Inventory Manager to join our team in Johannesburg.

We are a young, dynamic, hyper growth company looking for smart, creative, hard-working people with integrity to join us. We offer a market related, Total Remuneration Package which allows full flexibility according to your needs, a great work environment and a promise that you won’t be bored as long as you are prepared for a challenge and want to build something great.

 

Purpose of the role: To effectively manage and oversee all operational activities during the shift to ensure inventory accuracy, timely stock investigations, and smooth supply chain processes within the Distribution Centre (DC). The role ensures service level agreements (SLAs) are met through accurate stock location and quantities, improved operational efficiency, and compliance with health and safety standards while developing the operational team’s performance. This position requires a candidate with the proven ability to drive process improvements and the ability to keep pace with TAKEALOT explosive growth while motivating others to meet the challenges of an extremely deadline-driven and fast-moving environment of E-commerce.

This position reports to the Inventory Manager

Your responsibilities will include:

• Overall management and coordination of all warehousing functions.
• Ensure daily, weekly and monthly planning is done for all warehousing operations and manage adherence to plan
• Management of resources to be effective and efficient at lowest cost and according to changing needs
• Effective leadership and direction for the operation team through involvement and communication to deliver on the relevant key business drivers
• Manage customer liaison process and ensure that warehouse queries are resolved timeously and exceptional trends are addressed
• Ensure that warehouse space, equipment and warehouse flow is optimized and that future warehouse requirements are planned
• Ensure stock accuracy through disciplined stock control and implement stock accuracy improvement initiatives
• Manage pick fails by ensuring investigations of all declared non-stock items thoroughly to meet SLA requirements and ensure customer orders are fulfilled accurately
• Control stock investigations by ensuring all (LPNs) are thoroughly accounted for and closed off within agreed timelines
• Simplify and improve DC processes by managing location density, SKU consolidation, and replenishment to optimize picking efficiency and ensure sufficient filling space
• Ensure efficient and timely processing of Ad hoc Inventory Activities such as re-dimensioning, extras & damages processing, and continuous location density tracking to maintain operational efficiency and service levels
• Management reporting in terms of operational performance, productivity, stock control and Budgets
• Manage projects according to stipulated time frames
• Ensure that all business processes, procedures and job profiles are documented and updated
• Oversee mandatory training completion, conduct formal performance appraisals, and action coaching interventions within specified timeframes to support operational efficiency, compliance, and employee development
• Ensure compliance with all Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) standards and legislation (OHS Act)
• Maintain clean, tidy, and safe work environments through housekeeping, 5S audits, and conformance to TAL standards
• Maintain and sustain inventory bin accuracy to ensure SLA adherence and reduce stock loss
• Close all stock investigations (LPNs) promptly and accurately, minimizing outstanding discrepancies
• Achieve targeted pick fail rates on a daily and weekly basis to support flawless order fulfillment
• Streamline DC layout and inventory storage to improve picking speed and accuracy
• Resolve customer and operational queries promptly to enhance customer satisfaction
• Ensure all ad hoc inventory tasks are processed on time, maintaining smooth operations
• Complete all employee performance and training requirements to uphold team efficiency and compliance
• Maintain a safe and compliant working environment in line with all health and safety regulations
• Operate an efficient Distribution Centre by identifying, implementing and managing optimal processes and procedures, to minimize costs and maximize working capital

Qualification & Experience:

• Grade 12
• Relevant tertiary education: Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Engineering, Operations management etc.
• 3–5 years’ experience in warehouse or distribution center inventory control
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a supervisory role
• Strong experience in high-volume picking, outbound, and stock flow coordination
• Proven track record of managing and maintaining inventory accuracy targets and resolving stock discrepancies
• Experience with shrinkage control, stock take / cycle count processes, and root cause analysis
• E-commerce experience
• ERP systems knowledge
• Experience in working with budgets and cost analysis
• LEAN or continuous improvement
• Performance management skills –knowledge of Industrial Relations and practices

Attributes Required:

• Strong communications skills
• A structured and disciplined management style
• Ability to motivate and inspire others is a must
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Self-starter with high energy levels a must
• Well-developed business and operational acumen
• Analytically minded and able to find and use data to inform decision making
• Ability to work under pressure with strict deadlines
• Good attention to detail
• Strong Customer Service Orientation Goal orientated and motivated to succeed
• Dynamic individuals with proven experience in delivering change and innovative solutions
• Willingness to work shifts, weekends, public holidays and overtime as per operational requirements

The Environment: 

• takealot.com employees are entrepreneurial and dynamic, smart, customer- centric, fun and have the shared ambition of takealot.com being the leading e- commerce company in Africa. 
• We have fun, work hard, take ownership, work in teams to create solutions, and are always open to direct feedback/new ideas on where we can improve. 
• We are short on ego and high on output. 
• We are doers and not only thinkers, its all in the execution after all. 
• We love what we do and what we are creating.
• We seek to employ an Extra Ordinary Mind who is Smart, has Integrity, and is Hardworking. 

If you meet the above you are an Extraordinary Mind so come and join us! 

Takealot Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applicants from the previously disadvantaged groups and people with disabilities, to apply.