Warehouse Controller

SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:

Location: Midrand, Gauteng
Remuneration: R29,000 - R35,000 CTC per month
Industry: Cold Chain Logistics & Warehousing

Position Overview

The Warehouse Controller will be responsible for overseeing the safe, efficient and effective movement, handling and storage of products within a temperature-controlled warehouse environment.

This role involves coordinating daily warehouse operations, managing staff and equipment, maintaining inventory accuracy and ensuring compliance with cold chain, food safety and occupational health and safety requirements.

The successful candidate will play an important role in ensuring operational targets are achieved, customer requirements are met and warehouse processes operate efficiently.

Key Responsibilities

• Warehouse Operations & Inventory Control

  • Plan, coordinate and oversee daily warehouse operations to ensure efficient execution of operational activities.

  • Ensure customer instructions and orders are executed accurately, on time and in full (OTIF).

  • Monitor daily stock levels, inventory accuracy and available storage capacity.

  • Oversee product handling and storage to maintain cold chain integrity and compliance with product requirements.

  • Ensure cold rooms are operational and maintained at the required temperature settings.

  • Monitor and manage warehouse equipment and infrastructure, including material handling equipment (MHE), racking, doors, inverters, scales and thermometers.

  • Manage blast freezer capacity to support operational requirements.

  • Conduct daily operational inspections, process checks and housekeeping assessments.

  • Coordinate product recalls and mock recall procedures.

  • Ensure daily inventory packs are accurately completed and submitted.

  • Maintain the maintenance and capital expenditure (CAPEX) register.

  • Identify and implement opportunities to improve operational efficiency, minimise errors and enhance warehouse processes.

• Staff Supervision & People Management

  • Coordinate staffing requirements to ensure adequate manpower is available to meet daily operational demands.

  • Manage employee time and attendance, including monitoring overtime.

  • Supervise and manage employee performance, productivity and discipline.

  • Identify and support staff training and development requirements.

  • Assist with succession planning for key operational positions.

  • Maintain effective communication with warehouse employees and encourage a positive, productive working environment.

  • Address employee relations and industrial relations (IR/ER) matters in accordance with applicable procedures.

• Health, Safety & Compliance

  • Ensure compliance with applicable occupational health and safety legislation, regulations and procedures.

  • Enforce safe working practices and ensure adherence to Safe Working Procedures (SWPs).

  • Ensure employees wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

  • Maintain high housekeeping standards throughout operational areas.

  • Ensure all required daily health, safety and operational checklists are completed.

  • Report workplace accidents and incidents to the Logistics Manager.

  • Monitor and ensure the timely closure of non-conformances.

  • Conduct weekly toolbox talks to promote safety awareness and compliance.

• Operational Administration & Reporting

  • Ensure employee timesheets are accurately completed and submitted on time.

  • Maintain and review Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) records and updates.

  • Complete and reconcile pallet management reports.

  • Prepare discrepancy reports and monitor operational variances.

  • Compile productivity, KPI and planning tracker reports.

  • Complete revenue reports and other operational reporting as required.

  • Provide relevant operational information for monthly management reports.

  • Ensure warehouse and operational documentation is completed, accurate and properly maintained.

  • Contribute to operational budget preparation and planning.

• Customer Service & Communication

  • Ensure warehouse operations support accurate, efficient order fulfilment and high levels of customer satisfaction.

  • Acknowledge customer queries within 2--3 hours and work towards resolution within 48--72 hours, depending on the nature of the query.

  • Maintain accurate and updated customer query trackers.

  • Communicate operational delays and escalate issues to the relevant stakeholders.

  • Provide updates regarding delivery and collection time slots, turnaround times (TAT) and estimated times of arrival (ETA), including delays or early arrivals.

  • Immediately communicate product temperature deviations to affected customers.

  • Ensure customer complaints are accurately recorded through the SHEQX system.

• General Operational Responsibilities

  • Support stocktakes and year-end inventory processes.

  • Attend required training sessions and complete attendance documentation.

  • Ensure daily operational KPIs and performance standards are achieved.

  • Perform other reasonable duties aligned with the operational requirements of the business.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• Grade 12 (Matric / NQF Level 4).

• Diploma in Logistics, Supply Chain Management or a relevant qualification.

• 3-5 years' experience in a similar warehouse or operational control role, preferably within a cold storage environment.

• Computer literacy, including proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams.

• Previous customer service experience of at least 2 years will be advantageous.

Required Knowledge & Skills

• Understanding of cold storage operations and food safety handling procedures.

• Knowledge of HACCP principles will be advantageous.

• Basic knowledge of occupational health and safety requirements applicable to cold storage environments.

• Sound understanding of inventory control principles and procedures.

• Strong planning, organisational and time management skills.

• Good numerical accuracy and attention to detail.

• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

• Strong problem-solving abilities and the ability to take initiative.

• Ability to coordinate people, equipment and operational activities effectively.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands-on, organised and results-driven warehouse professional who is comfortable taking responsibility for daily operations in a fast-paced, temperature-controlled environment.

They should have a sound understanding of warehouse processes, inventory management, staff supervision and operational reporting, with the ability to balance productivity, safety and customer service requirements.

We are looking for someone who demonstrates accountability, reliability and attention to detail, communicates effectively with colleagues and customers, and takes a proactive approach to resolving operational challenges.

The successful candidate must also be:

• Physically fit and comfortable working in low-temperature environments.

• Honest, dependable and committed to achieving operational objectives.

• A positive team player with strong interpersonal skills.

• Disciplined, accountable and capable of taking ownership of responsibilities.

• Willing to learn, adapt and contribute to continuous improvement.

• Willing and able to work shifts and overtime as required by operational demands.

Remuneration

R29,000 - R35,000 Cost to Company per month, depending on qualifications and experience.