Operations Manager and Internal Sales (Manufacturing, Sales, Logistics, Stores, Admin)

SUMMARY:
Operations and Internal Sales Manager – Manufacturing, Production, Internal Sales, Logistics & Stores
Location: Port Elizabeth

POSITION INFO:
The Operations and Internal Sales Manager will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the internal sales office, while providing senior-level management and coordination of sales administration, logistics, stores, production coordination and dispatch.
The role requires an experienced and hands-on individual who can manage the sales administration function, oversee logistics and stores activities, coordinate between departments, and ensure that customer orders are processed and delivered efficiently and accurately.
The successful candidate will act as a key link between customers, sales, production, stores, logistics and dispatch, ensuring smooth operational flow, strong customer service and effective team performance.

Key Responsibilities

Sales & Internal Sales Management

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the internal sales office.
• Manage and support the internal sales/admin team.
• Answer incoming sales calls and respond to customer enquiries professionally.
• Assist walk-in customers with product information and sales support.
• Prepare and issue customer quotations.
• Capture and process sales orders accurately on the system.
• Process customer invoicing.
• Process RFCs and credit notes.
• Maintain accurate customer records and sales documentation.
• Monitor sales administration processes to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
• Ensure customer requirements and deadlines are communicated effectively to the relevant departments.

Logistics Management & Coordination

• Oversee the company's logistics and delivery function.
• Coordinate nationwide customer deliveries and transport requirements.
• Arrange delivery bookings and schedules.
• Liaise with transporters, customers, production and stores to ensure timely deliveries.
• Monitor deliveries and proactively resolve delays or operational issues.
• Ensure delivery notes are signed by transporters and customers and correctly filed.
• Follow up on outstanding or missing delivery documentation.
• Monitor logistics processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and service levels.

Stores & Stock Oversight

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the stores function.
• Ensure stock is accurately received, stored, controlled and dispatched.
• Monitor stock levels and communicate stock requirements to relevant departments.
• Ensure accurate stock documentation and system records are maintained.
• Liaise with production and logistics regarding stock availability and movement.
• Assist with stock counts, reconciliations and investigation of discrepancies.
• Ensure stores and dispatch areas are organised and operating efficiently.
• Provide guidance and oversight to stores personnel where required.

Production & Planning Coordination

• Liaise with the production team regarding customer orders, stock availability and production requirements.
• Assist with production planning and scheduling.
• Monitor order progress to ensure customer deadlines are met.
• Coordinate communication between sales, production, stores and logistics.
• Identify potential operational delays and take appropriate action to resolve them.

Team Management & Leadership

• Provide leadership, direction and support to the internal sales, administration, stores and logistics functions.
• Allocate and monitor workloads to ensure operational requirements are met.
• Monitor staff performance, productivity and adherence to procedures.
• Identify training and development requirements.
• Promote accountability, teamwork and a high level of customer service.
• Lead by example and maintain a professional and solutions-focused working environment.

Customer Service

• Conduct after-sales follow-ups with customers.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships.
• Resolve customer queries, complaints and delivery issues efficiently and professionally.
• Ensure customers receive regular and accurate feedback regarding orders and deliveries.
• Maintain a high level of customer service throughout the order-to-delivery process.

Administration & Operational Control

• Maintain accurate filing systems and operational documentation.
• Ensure all sales, logistics, stores and operational records are updated and organised.
• Monitor processes to ensure compliance with company procedures.
• Identify inefficiencies and recommend improvements to operational processes.
• Provide management with relevant operational feedback and reports when required.

Minimum Requirements

• Grade 12 / Matric.
• Minimum 10 years' experience in internal sales, sales administration or a related commercial environment.
• Previous management or supervisory experience is essential.
• Proven experience overseeing logistics, stores, dispatch or related operational functions.
• Experience managing and coordinating teams.
• Strong understanding of the sales order-to-delivery process.
• Strong administrative and organisational skills.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Strong computer literacy.
• Experience on Pastel will be advantageous but is not essential.
• Experience in production, manufacturing, distribution or a related environment will be advantageous.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and people-management skills.
• Excellent sales administration and coordination abilities.
• Strong logistics and stores management experience.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple functions and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Strong customer-service orientation.
• High level of accountability and ownership.
• Ability to identify operational issues and implement practical solutions.
• Ability to work independently while also leading and supporting a team.

Working Hours