Leiter Lager und Logistik (m/w/d)

The Warehouse & Logistics Manager leads d.light Zambia's warehouse and logistics operations, ensuring the safe, efficient, compliant and cost-effective movement and distribution of products. The role oversees warehousing, inbound and outbound logistics, customs clearance, distribution, third-party logistics providers, logistics costs and warehouse safety, while working with the Stock Controller to maintain strong inventory controls. The role also collaborates with key departments to ensure product availability, operational excellence and support for business growth.

Roles and Responsibilites

• Warehouse Operations: Lead day-to-day warehouse activities, including receiving, storage, picking, packing, dispatch and returns, ensuring efficient product flow and adherence to SOPs and internal controls.
• Inventory Management: Work closely with the Stock Controller to maintain inventory accuracy, investigate stock variances, manage damaged or obsolete stock and support physical stock counts and reconciliations.
• Inbound Logistics & Customs: Coordinate inbound shipments, customs clearance and transportation to the warehouse, ensuring documentation is complete and potential delays are proactively managed.
• Outbound Logistics & Distribution: Manage distribution to branches, hubs, service centres and other locations, ensuring orders are delivered accurately, on time and in full while optimising routes and transport utilisation.
• Vendor Management: Manage clearing agents, freight forwarders, transporters and other logistics providers, monitoring service levels, costs and overall performance.
• Supply Planning: Partner with Commercial, Supply Chain, Finance and Operations to align logistics capacity with business demand and ensure timely product availability.
• Cost & Budget Management: Monitor warehouse and logistics expenditure, manage budget performance and identify opportunities to reduce costs while maintaining service standards.
• Safety & Compliance: Maintain high standards of warehouse health, safety, security and regulatory compliance, including inspections, PPE, emergency preparedness and incident management.
• Team Leadership: Lead and develop the warehouse and logistics team while fostering a high-performance culture aligned with d.light's i.HOPE values.
• Performance & Continuous Improvement: Monitor logistics KPIs, prepare performance reports and drive improvements in service levels, operational efficiency, controls and process digitisation.

Key Performance Indicators

• OTIF Delivery: Ensure products are dispatched and delivered on time and in full across the Zambia distribution network.
• Inbound & Customs Efficiency: Ensure timely shipment clearance and receipt while minimizing delays and avoidable clearance-related costs.
• Warehouse & Inventory Excellence: Maintain accurate, efficient and compliant warehouse operations with minimal stock loss or shrinkage.
• Logistics Cost & Vendor Performance: Manage logistics within budget, optimize costs and ensure service providers meet agreed performance standards.
• Safety & Compliance: Maintain safe, secure and compliant operations, targeting zero preventable accidents and timely closure of audit and compliance issues.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Procurement, Business Administration, Operations Management or a related field.
• Relevant professional certification such as CIPS, CILT or APICS/ASCM is an added advantage.
• Minimum 7 years' progressive experience in warehousing, logistics, supply chain or distribution, including team leadership.
• Strong experience in warehouse operations, inbound/outbound logistics, customs clearance, transportation and distribution.
• Experience managing 3PL providers, logistics budgets, vendor performance and cost optimisation.
• Working knowledge of Zambian customs/import requirements and ERP/Warehouse Management Systems.
• Experience in a high-volume product environment is an advantage.

Technical Skills

• Warehouse & Inventory Management
• Inbound/Outbound Logistics & Distribution
• Customs, Freight & Transportation Management
• 3PL & Vendor/SLA Management
• Logistics Cost & Budget Management
• ERP/Warehouse Management Systems
• Data Analysis, Reporting & Continuous Improvement
• Health, Safety, Security & Compliance

Behavioural Skills

• Strong leadership, integrity and accountability
• Excellent planning, organisation and execution
• Commercial and cost-conscious mindset
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Effective communication and stakeholder management
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Proactive, results-oriented and continuous-improvement mindset
• Passion for d.light's mission and social impact

Benefits

Competitive Remuneration Package