Operations Controller fresh produce wholesaling

Job Position: Operations Controller fresh produce wholesaling

Ref: 5171

Location: PE/Gqeberha

Salary: R18000 to R25000 per month commensurate with qualification and experience profit share incentive

Working hours: Monday to Friday 6.30 AM to 15:30 PM with some Saturdays if required

Successful candidate will effectively run the business as if it were their own ensuring customers are serviced to a high standard operations run efficiently and all teams perform consistently

Email your CV to

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Degree or Diploma in Logistics Operations Management Business Management or similar
• Minimum of 2 to 5 years experience in operations logistics or wholesale environments
• Experience in fresh produce food distribution FMCG or hospitality supply (highly advantageous)
• Strong understanding of:

• Logistics and distribution
• Warehouse/packhouse operations
• People management

• Key attributes:

• Strong leadership and decision-making ability
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
• Calm and effective under pressure
• Hands-on practical and solutions driven
• Strong communication and customer-service mindset
• High level of accountability and ownership
• Able to work early hours and adapt to the demands of fresh produce operations

Key Performance Areas:

Overall business operations

• Manage the day-to-day running of the business with minimal owner involvement
• Ensure all operational functions run smoothly efficiently and profitably
• Act as the primary point of accountability for operational performance

Customer service and order fulfilment

• Ensure customer orders are:

• Accurately processed
• Correctly packed
• Delivered on time and in full

• Proactively manage customer relationships and resolve issues or complaints
• Maintain service levels expected within the hospitality and retail sectors
• Monitor order accuracy shortages credits and returns

Packhouse and prep operations

• Oversee packhouse and preparation teams to ensure:

• Efficient workflow
• Correct handling of fresh produce
• Minimal waste and shrinkage

• Ensure daily production targets are met
• Identify and resolve bottlenecks in packing and dispatch
• Implement process improvements where required

Logistics and dispatch

• Coordinate daily deliveries and routing
• Ensure vehicles are loaded correctly and depart on schedule
• Monitor delivery performance and Driver conduct
• Liaise with logistics providers or internal Drivers where applicable

People management

• Lead manage and motivate operational staff
• Ensure teams understand expectations standards and daily priorities
• Handle staff scheduling performance management and discipline when required
• Foster a culture of accountability teamwork and continuous improvement

Health safety and compliance

• Ensure the packhouse and working environment are:

• Clean
• Organised
• Compliant with health safety and food-handling standards

• Maintain accurate records for:

• Health and safety
• Cleaning schedules
• Operational procedures

• Ensure compliance with company policies and relevant regulations

Administration and reporting

• Maintain clean accurate operational records
• Monitor key operational KPIs (service levels waste productivity)
• Assist with stock control and operational cost management
• May be involved in invoicing billing checks and ensuring orders are correctly invoiced
• Work closely with finance/admin to ensure: accurate documentation and minimal billing errors or disputes
• Monitor business performance against company goals and targets (service levels efficiency waste delivery performance)
• Take ownership of operational KPIs and drive corrective action where targets are not being met
• Report operational issues risks and improvements to the owners and progress toward goals

Working hours: Monday to Friday 6.30 AM to 15:30 PM with some Saturdays if required

Email your CV to

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Degree or Diploma in Logistics Operations Management Business Management or similar
• Minimum of 2 to 5 years experience in operations logistics or wholesale environments
• Experience in fresh produce food distribution FMCG or hospitality supply (highly advantageous)
• Strong understanding of:

• Logistics and distribution
• Warehouse/packhouse operations
• People management

• Key attributes:

• Strong leadership and decision-making ability
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
• Calm and effective under pressure
• Hands-on practical and solutions driven
• Strong communication and customer-service mindset
• High level of accountability and ownership
• Able to work early hours and adapt to the demands of fresh produce operations

Key Performance Areas:

Overall business operations

• Manage the day-to-day running of the business with minimal owner involvement
• Ensure all operational functions run smoothly efficiently and profitably
• Act as the primary point of accountability for operational performance

Customer service and order fulfilment

• Ensure customer orders are:

• Accurately processed
• Correctly packed
• Delivered on time and in full

• Proactively manage customer relationships and resolve issues or complaints
• Maintain service levels expected within the hospitality and retail sectors
• Monitor order accuracy shortages credits and returns

Packhouse and prep operations

• Oversee packhouse and preparation teams to ensure:

• Efficient workflow
• Correct handling of fresh produce
• Minimal waste and shrinkage

• Ensure daily production targets are met
• Identify and resolve bottlenecks in packing and dispatch
• Implement process improvements where required

Logistics and dispatch

• Coordinate daily deliveries and routing
• Ensure vehicles are loaded correctly and depart on schedule
• Monitor delivery performance and Driver conduct
• Liaise with logistics providers or internal Drivers where applicable

People management

• Lead manage and motivate operational staff
• Ensure teams understand expectations standards and daily priorities
• Handle staff scheduling performance management and discipline when required
• Foster a culture of accountability teamwork and continuous improvement

Health safety and compliance

• Ensure the packhouse and working environment are:

• Clean
• Organised
• Compliant with health safety and food-handling standards

• Maintain accurate records for:

• Health and safety
• Cleaning schedules
• Operational procedures

• Ensure compliance with company policies and relevant regulations

Administration and reporting

• Maintain clean accurate operational records
• Monitor key operational KPIs (service levels waste productivity)
• Assist with stock control and operational cost management
• May be involved in invoicing billing checks and ensuring orders are correctly invoiced
• Work closely with finance/admin to ensure: accurate documentation and minimal billing errors or disputes
• Monitor business performance against company goals and targets (service levels efficiency waste delivery performance)
• Take ownership of operational KPIs and drive corrective action where targets are not being met
• Report operational issues risks and improvements to the owners and progress toward goals

R18000 to R25000 per month commensurate with qualification and experience profit share incentive