Our client is seeking an Operations manager who plays a pivotal part in maintaining cost-effective and efficient operational and logistical processes by identifying, addressing, and resolving operational challenges. The ideal candidate will oversee business operations, budgeting, forecasting, cost management, customer service, stakeholder relations, and supply chain improvements. The role also involves managing the full logistics cycle — from procurement and production through to distribution — to enhance business performance and ensure sustainability and customer satisfaction. Key Responsibilities Strategic & Operational Management Oversee budgeting and forecasting in alignment with multi-year sales plans, identifying risks and capital expenditure requirements. Develop and implement strategies to achieve operational and sales targets. Establish regular communication plans for operational updates and progress tracking. Integrate supply chain plans into procurement, production, and packaging schedules, ensuring capacity and material availability align with forecasts. Manage production, procurement, quality control, and stakeholder reporting requirements. Procurement & Supplier Management Ensure effective procurement of materials — on time, within budget, and in correct quantities. Maintain proactive supplier management, conduct performance evaluations, and identify improvement opportunities. Lead annual supplier negotiations to control costs and improve efficiency. Integrate innovation projects and new product developments into operations and distribution frameworks. Financial & Performance Oversight Track production records and reporting related to excise or compliance payments. Manage production costs year-on-year and identify areas for operational savings. Conduct financial analysis of operational and RTM (Route to Market) processes and ensure regional compliance. Route to Market (RTM) & Distribution Management Develop and execute national RTM strategies aligned with company goals. Evaluate RTM performance and distributor infrastructure. Develop best practices and optimized RTM strategies for both urban and rural markets using data insights. Collaborate with commercial and regional teams to build and implement RTM models, dashboards, and toolkits. Monitor distributor performance and drive improvements in distribution efficiency and coverage. Sales & Logistics Coordination Align sales and distribution models with broader company strategies. Coordinate cross-functional dependencies between marketing, production, and logistics. Oversee inventory management, beat planning, and route optimization. Supervise and train warehouse and logistics teams. Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and certification requirements (e.g., ISO standards). Operational Excellence Direct and coordinate the full order cycle — from warehousing to transportation and customer service. Liaise and negotiate with suppliers, manufacturers, retailers, and customers. Maintain and analyze operational metrics to assess performance and implement continuous improvement. Meet cost, productivity, accuracy, and timeliness targets. Key Requirements & Skills Proven experience as an Operations Manager, Supply Chain Manager, Production Manager, or similar role — preferably within FMCG (non-alcoholic beverages advantageous). Minimum of 8 years’ experience in FMCG, RTM, and logistics management. Relevant bachelor’s degree; postgraduate qualification advantageous. Strong background in costing, budgeting, and forecasting. Excellent communication, organizational, and analytical skills. High attention to detail with the ability to work accurately under pressure. Demonstrated leadership in managing major national distribution partners. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. Proficient in logistics and ERP systems. Availability to travel nationally as required.

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Tamlyn