Store Manager

Role Overview

This position owns the daily rhythm of a store or depot that handles finished goods and related materials, from the moment a truck arrives at the gate to the moment a customer order leaves it. The holder keeps physical stock and system records telling the same story, makes sure every consignment is picked, packed and dispatched correctly and on time, and leads the store floor team that does the hands-on work. Because the site is the last checkpoint before goods reach the customer, strong performance here directly protects margins, service levels and the company's reputation for reliability.

Key Responsibilities

• Run the full goods-inward cycle: supervise offloading, verify received quantities and product codes against delivery paperwork, flag shortages, overages or damage immediately, and place stock in its designated location.
• Protect inventory integrity by keeping bin locations labelled and organised, applying first-in-first-out and other rotation rules, and updating ERP or WMS transactions on the same day physical movements occur.
• Carry out cycle counts and full physical stock takes, investigate variances to root cause, and reconcile system balances with counted quantities.
• Identify and act on slow-moving, obsolete, damaged, returned or quality-blocked stock, keeping such material segregated and escalating for disposition rather than letting it sit unmanaged.
• Drive order fulfilment by coordinating with Sales and Customer Service on priority, urgent and overdue orders, checking quantities and condition before loading, and clearing backlogs through proactive follow-up.
• Arrange transport with logistics partners and carriers, prepare dispatch documentation and registers, and confirm that each consignment leaves safely, accurately and within the committed window.
• Supervise storekeepers, loaders, warehouse assistants, forklift operators and clerks — setting daily work allocations and shift schedules, coaching on procedure, monitoring output and addressing discipline or performance gaps.
• Own safety, housekeeping and compliance on site: enforce safe stacking, lifting and movement of paint and other materials, keep emergency and fire-prevention measures current, maintain handling equipment, and report accidents, losses or incidents without delay.
• Produce daily, weekly and monthly reporting on stock levels, movements, receipts, dispatches and discrepancies, and work with Supply Chain, Planning, Production, Finance and Customer Service to keep availability aligned with demand and to surface improvement opportunities.
• Guard company assets under the site's custody — stock, forklifts, handling tools and equipment — while containing damage, wastage and store operating costs within approved limits.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or diploma in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business Administration or a closely related discipline; an additional professional qualification in supply chain or logistics is an advantage.
• At least five years in store, warehouse or depot operations, ideally within paints, building materials, FMCG or a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience supervising store or warehouse staff and running day-to-day inventory operations, not just executing tasks individually.
• Working familiarity with ERP or WMS platforms and computerised inventory systems; comfortable with MS Office for reporting and stock analysis.
• Solid grounding in stock reconciliation, cycle counting and rotation principles such as FIFO, with the accuracy and detail focus those tasks demand.
• Practical knowledge of safe material handling, warehouse procedures, forklift and handling-equipment use, and basic fire and emergency response practice.
• Strong planning, prioritisation and problem-solving ability, with the composure to keep dispatch commitments on track under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Clear communication and coordination skills for liaising across departments, transporters and site teams.
• High integrity, accountability and discipline, with a leadership style that builds teamwork and consistent adherence to standard operating procedures.