Regional Operations Manager at Adcorp Holdings Limited

Job Description:

• The Regional Operations Manager is responsible for the end-to-end SC functionality of Distribution Centres in the Region.

Minimum Requirements:

Experience:

• Extensive FMCG industry experience, minimum of 5 years in large-scale, multi-site distribution or logistics operations within the Supply chain, preferably in a service-related industry
• At least 3 to 5 years in a senior leadership role managing substantial teams and budgets.
• Third Party Management – TES industry experience would be advantageous.
• Exposure to unionised environments would be advantageous.
• CCMA Conciliation and Arbitration experience is advantageous.
• Excellent understanding of trends and developments within the labour market, TES industry, and applicable Labour legislation.

Qualification: 

• Gr 12 – Essential
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain / Logistics / Operations Management / Business Management – Essential
• Certification in Lean Six Sigma or similar process excellence frameworks – Advantageous

Additional Requirements:

• N/A

Roles and Responsibilities:

Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with client leadership, aligning strategic plans with business objectives and proactively addressing complex challenges.
• Serve as the primary liaison for strategic client discussions, including performance reviews, planning, and issue resolution.
• Ensure integrated, cross-functional collaboration across client and internal teams to support regional operations.
• Lead monthly and quarterly business reviews, performance reporting, and risk mitigation initiatives.
• Oversee partnerships with Temporary Employment Service (TES) providers, ensuring cost-effective, high-quality service delivery.
• Represent the inland region in national and regional forums, including supply chain and leadership engagements.

Strategic planning & execution 

• Develop and execute regional operational strategies aligned with national goals and client growth plans.
• Drive innovation and process improvements across DCs to improve efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and service quality.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.
• Ensure sustainability and operational integrity of the Adfusion MSP model.

Data analytics & performance management  

• Develop and analyse operational KPIs, leveraging predictive analytics for capacity planning, labour optimisation, and demand forecasting.
• Use data-driven insights to identify trends, root causes, and cost-saving opportunities.
• Implement performance monitoring systems providing real-time visibility into DC operations.
• Review performance regularly and formalise corrective action plans to meet KPIs.
• Conduct performance appraisals aligned with company timelines.
• Support proactive decision-making through accurate operational reporting.

Talent & leadership development

• Cultivate a high-performance and values-driven leadership culture within the regional management team, promoting empowerment, accountability, service excellence, operational integrity, and ongoing professional development.
• Identify, mentor, and develop high-potential employees to strengthen the talent pipeline for future leadership roles within the organisation.
• Lead effective change management initiatives to support the seamless adoption of new processes, technologies, and organisational structures.
• Champion Employment Equity, skills development, and succession planning with clear, measurable outcomes.
• Promote transformation and inclusion in alignment with national BBBEE legislation and industry compliance standards.

People/supplier management 

• Ensure fill rates and headcounts consistently meet SLA and client requirements.
• Monitor Temporary Employment Services (TES) providers for compliance with labour onboarding and exit procedures, disciplinary processes, and performance tracking.
• Ensure TES providers pay their employees accurately and on time, minimising payroll queries.
• Oversee staff development and training initiatives across all levels, from General Assistants to Operations Managers.
• Ensure succession plans and training requirements are submitted annually in line with Personal Development Plans (PDPs).
• Enforce compliance with PPE standards according to company policy and site-specific safety requirements.
• Ensure all employees safeguard client assets, including MHE, cages, totes, and product integrity.
• Track and manage agency performance through KPIs such as shift fill rates, payroll accuracy, and staff turnover.
• Provide regular, structured feedback to agencies on shift performance metrics, highlighting areas for improvement.
• Facilitate quarterly communication on Employment Equity initiatives with all staff.
• Coordinate and ensure the Employee of the Month awards are implemented consistently at each distribution centre.

Process management

• Ensure strict process compliance with WMS standards, aligned with SOPs and client agreements.
• Oversee the training of operational staff by TES trainers, ensuring alignment with SOPs and that training assessments are properly conducted.
• In partnership with the Finance & Admin Manager, ensure compliance and accuracy in all TES and IC administrative and financial processes, and report discrepancies to Adfusion and the client.
• Ensure adherence to correct packing, wrapping, strapping, and equipment handling procedures to minimise product damage.
• Reduce supplier and store claims by enforcing strict compliance with inbound and outbound operational processes.

Client Relationship

• Maintain close collaboration with Client Divisional teams, DC Managers, Planning, Operations, and Inventory Management to ensure seamless support for Adfusion operations.
• Understand and align with client strategy and action plans for daily and weekly activities.
• Work closely with Client Replenishment and Adfusion Operational teams to ensure a smooth inbound function.
• Liaise daily with Client Transport and Adfusion Operational teams to ensure store deliveries are executed as planned.
• Ensure operational teams consistently meet OTIF (On Time In Full) targets and adhere to high plan compliance standards.
• Anticipate and manage operational complexities during promotional and peak periods.
• Understand supplier management processes through engagement with Client Divisional and Replenishment teams.
• Minimise operational downtime and reduce financial risks to the client.
• Protect client assets, minimise MHE abuse, and reduce equipment and racking damage.
• Maintain excellent housekeeping standards through regular floor walks and compliance enforcement.
• Promote a care culture in the DC, educating staff on principles of care for the customer, product, and people, making care a daily priority.
• Respond promptly to all client queries and provide timely feedback.

Employee/Industrial relations

• Implement & drive employee wellbeing and engagement initiatives in high-pressure, labour-intensive operations.
• Ensure that monthly Workplace committee meetings take place and that issues raised are addressed where possible.
• Attend monthly Union meetings, ensure that a good working relationship is maintained in the interest of maintaining Industrial relations, and address, where possible, any valid issues that the Union might have.
• Maintain dispute resolutions between parties, employees and their employers or management, workplace representatives or the Union, and ensure that employee relations are actively maintained to ensure good overall employee relations.

Finance & Cost managment

• Review the weekly budget report to track and ensure that costs & ratios are in line with the agreed-upon budgets & KPIs.
• Review weekly error rate reports and put actionable plans in place to reduce errors and financial losses incurred through errors.
• Review weekly waste reports, identify the top waste items and put actionable plans in place to reduce damage to product & waste.
• Review the weekly equipment abuse detail with the client maintenance manager to ensure the reduction of MHE abuse cost.
• Review incentive reports and ensure that performance is up to the required standards, incentive targets are being achieved.
• Hold SHEQ officers accountable to conduct monthly audits on Health and Safety files for each site, and ensure that the files comply with the SHEQ program as shared by National SHEQ manager and by Head office and in accordance with OHS ACT

Risk management

• Collaborate with client loss control and operations teams to minimise shrinkage, pilferage, and theft by ensuring security teams are effective and Adfusion operational staff maintain floor visibility through regular aisle walks.
• Implement and ensure adherence to SHEQ programmes as directed by the Adfusion National SHEQ Manager and Head Office.
• Ensure the appointment and training of Health & Safety Representatives, Fire Marshals, and First Aiders align with SHEQ programme requirements.
• Oversee the accurate and timely reporting of Lost Time Injuries (LTIs), Incidents on Duty (IODs), and other incidents in line with SHEQ procedures.
• Ensure timely submission of monthly SHEQ reports in accordance with required deadlines.
• Hold SHEQ officers accountable for conducting monthly Health & Safety file audits per site, ensuring compliance with the SHEQ programme, OHS Act, and Head Office standards.
• Manage and regularly update the region’s Business Continuity Plan (BCP) to ensure resilience during major disruptions such as strikes, system failures, or supply chain interruptions.
• Enforce a culture of safety by ensuring employees work in a healthy environment and address non-compliance through the Code of Conduct (COC) as required.

Compliance

• Ensure that all staff comply with the OHS Act at all times to ensure a safe & healthy working environment.
• Along with the HR team, drive BBBEE and Employment Equity compliance within the Business Unit.
• Support all internal and external audits.
• Ensure that HR policies and procedures are followed.
• Ensure that all Operational teams follow and comply with the code of conduct.
• Ensure that all staff comply with all applicable rules & regulations in the workplace and all the laws of the country of South Africa.

End Date: November 1, 2025