South Africa: Raw Materials Manager posted by BevCo

About the Role

The Raw Materials Manager will lead the materials planning, procurement, warehousing, and inventory management functions to guarantee timely availability of all production inputs at the right quality, quantity, and cost. The successful candidate will safeguard plant efficiency, reduce stock-outs and excess inventory, manage working capital, and contribute to overall plant profitability through strategic sourcing, demand forecasting, and continuous improvement initiatives aligned with world-class manufacturing standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the materials planning strategy in alignment with production schedules, sales forecasts, and plant capacity.
• Oversee end-to-end procurement of raw materials and packaging.
• Manage daily/weekly inventory levels using MRP/ERP systems to maintain optimal stock turns, minimise obsolescence, and achieve target service levels while adhering to Just-in-Time (JIT) and lean principles.
• Coordinate receipt, inspection, storage, and issuance of all materials; ensure accurate stock accounting with minimum variance.
• Lead the raw-materials and warehouse team, including planners, buyers, storekeepers, and forklift operators; drive a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct regular stock counts, cycle counts, and variance investigations; implement corrective actions to protect asset integrity.
• Collaborate closely with Production, Quality, Engineering, Finance, and Sales teams to align material availability with demand and resolve supply-chain issues proactively.
• Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as inventory turnover, material cost variance, supplier on-time delivery, and working-capital optimisation.
• Ensure full compliance with food-safety standards, environmental regulations, and company policies.
• Identify and drive cost-saving initiatives through value engineering, alternative sourcing, and waste-reduction programmes.
• Manage relationships with local and imported suppliers, including inbound logistics and customs clearance where applicable.
• Maintain housekeeping is performed and ensure that all products and activities are stored and executed within the demarcated areas.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Industrial Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent professional qualification) or related diploma.
• Minimum 6 years’ experience in materials management or supply-chain roles within FMCG, beverage, or food manufacturing environments.
• Proven track record in a high-speed bottling or canning plant is advantageous.
• Hand-on experience with ERP/MRP systems (SAP preferred), advanced Excel, and demand-planning tools.

Qualifications

No qualifications mentioned.