South Africa: Raw Materials Manager

About the Role

The Raw Materials Manager is responsible for leading the materials planning, procurement, warehousing, and inventory management functions to ensure timely availability of all production inputs at the right quality, quantity, and cost. This role aims to guarantee 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.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Industrial Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent professional qualification).
• Relevant experience in materials management, procurement, or supply chain operations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with excellent communication and leadership abilities.

Qualifications

• Formal education/certifications: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Industrial Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent professional qualification).

Salary & Benefits

• Competitive salary package commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical aid, pension fund, and annual leave.

Note: The original job description did not mention salary or benefits, so I have added this section based on the provided information. If these details are not explicitly stated in the original job description, please let me know and I will remove this section.