Work-Force
The organisation is recruiting a Distribution Manager for its Grahamstown operation. The role forms part of a wider logistics jobs portfolio across Eastern Cape.
About the Opportunity
Importantly, the organisation is investing in its Grahamstown operation, and this Distribution Manager position reflects that commitment. The successful candidate will work across the logistics jobs function and contribute to the wider Eastern Cape business.
Day-to-day, the role balances focused delivery with the kind of collaboration that keeps things moving. The successful candidate is trusted to make sensible decisions inside the agreed scope, with line-management support whenever a sounding board is useful.
Stakeholders for this position include line managers, peers across the logistics jobs team and trusted external partners. Building those relationships early makes the next twelve months in Grahamstown much easier.
Internal documentation, process notes and shared playbooks make it easier for the Distribution Manager to step into the logistics jobs workflow quickly. Institutional knowledge is well-organised, so people are not reinventing the wheel from one week to the next.
About Grahamstown
Working in Grahamstown means a place close to the East London Industrial Park, with a steady flow of activity and a strong local economy. The team has built solid relationships across the Eastern Cape region, and the Grahamstown office benefits from those long-standing connections.
Many candidates already living within reach of Grahamstown cite the location as one of the role’s quiet wins, with shorter commutes and a real sense of being plugged into the local Eastern Cape economy.
If you are relocating, the team can share practical pointers on neighbourhoods, transport and the typical pace of life in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape.
Accessibility is taken seriously: where the role allows, the team works toward a balance of in-office presence and flexibility for candidates based in and around Grahamstown.
The Environment
On top of that, the environment is operationally driven and physical at times, with shift-based work, strict safety standards and a strong focus on accuracy and on-time delivery.
Equally, the working environment is set up to give the team the focus needed for deeper work, while keeping collaboration and quick problem-solving close at hand.
Health, safety and well-being are taken seriously. Current policies and procedures are maintained, and the Grahamstown site adheres to the standards expected of a responsible South African employer.
A respectful, professional environment is the standard in Eastern Cape. Bullying, harassment and unfair conduct have no place here, and managers are trained to act decisively when concerns are raised.
Career Growth
This role can grow with you. Strong performers in the logistics jobs team in Grahamstown have moved into senior, supervisory and specialist positions, and that journey is supported through coaching, training and exposure to bigger projects.
Notably, internal mobility is encouraged. People who start in Grahamstown have moved into roles in other branches, specialist functions and project teams across Eastern Cape.
Training is a mix of formal courses, structured on-the-job learning and exposure to broader projects, all geared at building practical skills.
Growth conversations happen at a regular cadence — not just at year-end — so the path forward stays current and realistic for every Grahamstown team member.
Your Team
Beyond that, the team you will be working with is fast-paced and energetic. Things move quickly across the Grahamstown office, and the people who thrive here are the ones who plan ahead, communicate openly and pick up the slack when Eastern Cape operations get busy.
Collaboration is the default working mode. Whether picking up a quick query or working through a complex project, you will find colleagues willing to lean in and help.
Practically speaking, the team mix in Grahamstown reflects a balance of experienced operators and emerging talent, with deliberate space for diverse voices and backgrounds.
Line management is hands-on without being heavy. Expect regular one-to-ones, honest feedback and the support needed to do good work consistently.
Day in the Life
Your day kicks off in the yard or at the dock, checking schedules, briefing your team and lining up the day’s priorities. You move between receiving, picking, dispatch and the WMS, keeping a close eye on accuracy and time slots. There are constant conversations — with drivers, controllers, customers and the warehouse floor — and the better you communicate, the smoother things run. By the end of the shift, the racks are tidy, the trucks are out, and the next inbound load is already on its way.
No two days look exactly the same — and that variety is part of what keeps the role engaging for the right candidate in Grahamstown.
Beyond that, the rhythm rewards people who plan ahead but also pivot quickly when Eastern Cape operations throw up the unexpected.
Crucially, the Grahamstown office buzzes through peak hours and settles into focused, productive lulls in between, giving you time to plan and reset before the next stretch of work.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Prepare daily dispatch and receiving reports for site management
- Maintain accurate inventory records on the warehouse management system
- Monitor third-party logistics partners against agreed KPIs
- Investigate stock losses and contribute to shrinkage reduction plans
- Pick, pack and dispatch orders accurately within agreed cut-offs
- Receive, verify and put away incoming stock against delivery notes
- Ensure full compliance with road traffic, OHS Act and customs requirements
- Liaise with transporters, drivers and customers on dispatch schedules
Minimum Requirements
- Willingness to work in a fast-paced, target-driven environment
- Awareness of OHS Act, traffic regulations and hazardous goods rules
- 2+ years’ experience in warehousing, distribution or logistics
- Valid Code 10 or Code 14 driver’s licence with PrDP for driving roles
- Ability to work shifts, including night shifts and weekends
- Good communication skills with drivers, suppliers and customers
Potential is considered alongside experience, so candidates who tick most of these boxes should still be considered.