South Africa: General Manager posted by Indian Ocean Export Company

Reporting to: Managing Executive, Seychelles
Department: Executive

Overview:

Apex is seeking a General Manager (GM) responsible for performance in a pivotal leadership role in overseeing the day-to-day operations Apex, Seychelles. The GM is responsible for ensuring that all departments work harmoniously to achieve business objectives while maintaining efficiency, profitability, and a positive work culture. This role requires a strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to managing human resources, finance, warehousing, operations, logistics, inventory management, and technology.

The GM is responsible for leading and overseeing the execution of the operational strategy, driving growth and profitability, and ensuring the successful delivery of the companys annual operational budget targets. He will perform a pivotal role in delivering on the companys market strategies, drive the deployment of mission-critical services to the business, leverage new product innovations, ensure a high standard of service delivery, build beneficial import clearing, customs and bio security relationships, and maintain an effective business environment. Ensuring a cohesive focus across the operational functions including Finance, Human Resources, Operations, Logistics, Warehousing, Inventory Management, and Technology.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Executive Leadership

• Lead and provide guidance to the managers and departments that report to the General Manager. Support and mentor senior leadership, department heads, managers and staff.
• Serve on the Executive Committee in a way that encourages senior leaders and executives to work together to share information, make decisions, and hold each other accountable.
• Create an organization that is agile, geared for growth, ambitious, unified in its vision. Ensure decisions are made that protect company assets and promote shareholder growth.

2. Operational Leadership:

• Oversee the daily operations of the warehouse and distribution network, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and timely delivery of products to internal and external customers.
• Identify opportunities for technology and process enhancements to drive operational efficiency.
• Lead change management initiatives to ensure seamless adoption of new systems and processes.

3. Financial Operations:

• Supervise the Financial Controller to ensure effective daily operations. Lead the financial planning, budgeting, reporting, and cost control across all operational areas of the business. Monitor and drive profitability and financial sustainability.

• Manage and monitor the companys Profit and Loss with a focus on driving profitability through cost savings optimization, minimize stock losses, create a lean and agile organization with effective controls that protect the assets of the company and seek efficiency improvements.
• Engage with senior leadership and key stakeholders to provide updates on operational performance and opportunities.
• Monitor performance of operating activities using key metrics and prepare monthly reports for senior leadership team.
• Ensure decisions on organizational structure, recruitment, infrastructure, capital investments and disposals, key growth strategies, company policies and operating expenses are approved by the Managing Executive.

4. Strategic Planning:

• Develop and implement strategic initiatives to optimize operational performance, reduce costs, and improve overall business productivity. Ensure alignment with company goals and industry standards.

5. Team Leadership & Development:

• Lead and inspire support key personnel including the Warehouse Manager, Operations Manager, Inventory Manager, Praslin Manager, HR Manager, and IT Manager and the teams that they work with. Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and accountability. Provide guidance and mentorship to departmental leaders and encourage professional development.
• Ensure all operational departments meet performance targets and KPIs.
• Ensure the culture within APEX is built on a foundation of values and principles characterized by a high-performance work environment that is empowering, people-focused, collaborative, fair, tolerant, and respectful. Act in a way that promotes credibility, pride and belonging in APEX.

6. Customer Focus:

• Ensure that the warehouse and distribution functions meet customer expectations for service quality, order fulfillment accuracy, and on-time delivery.

7. Supply Chain Optimization:

• Work closely with the Warehouse Manager and Inbound Manager and their teams to streamline workflows, improve inventory management, and implement best practices in logistics and distribution.

8. Technology & Systems:

• Work closely with the IT Manager to ensure the appropriate technology infrastructure is in place to support operations, including warehouse management, transportation management, and other relevant tools.

9. Compliance & Safety:

• Ensure compliance with industry regulations, safety standards, and company policies. Implement and enforce best practices for health and safety across the warehouse and distribution operations.

10. Performance Reporting:

• Work collaboratively with the Commercial Director and Managing Executive on operational and financial performance, highlighting achievements, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.

11. Human Resources:

• Collaborate with the HR Manager to ensure effective recruitment, employee engagement, and retention strategies, while also promoting a positive workplace culture.

Minimum Requirements:

• Proactive, people-centric leader to strengthen our relationships with candidates, employees, and external partners in a tight labor market. This role will design and execute strategies that attract, develop, engage, and retain top talent while fostering a high-performing, inclusive culture.
• Project Management experience
• Systems and Process driven
• Excel Report skills
• Management an Multi National operations with Head of 50-60 people
• Matric, Drivers License, valid passport
• Bachelors degree required or strongly preferred (fields: Business Administration, Management, Operations, Economics, Engineering, or related).
• Professional certifications advantageous: e.g PMP, SHRM/HRCI