Warehouse Specialist - Bayer

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At Bayer, we’re visionaries, driven to solve the world’s toughest challenges and striving for a world where, Health for all, Hunger for none’ is no longer a dream, but a real possibility. We’re doing it with energy, curiosity and sheer dedication, always learning from unique perspectives of those around us, expanding our thinking, growing our capabilities and redefining ‘impossible’.

There are so many reasons to join us. If you’re hungry to build a varied and meaningful career in a community of brilliant and diverse minds to make a real difference, there’s only one choice.

Job Purpose:

To coordinate and ensure the flawless execution of daily warehouse operations for Seed and Crop Protection products, including all distribution and warehousing activities.

This role is accountable for driving operational efficiency, maintaining strict compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and company standards governing warehouse operations and dispatch, while fostering a safe and productive environment. 

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

Operational Execution & Planning:

• Direct and ensure the proper execution of the daily operational plan, including the efficient operation of all warehouse equipment.
• Lead the planning and coordination of daily tasks, specifically overseeing all inbound shipment and outbound shipments ensuring the picking and staging of stock for distribution to meet dispatch schedules.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within daily warehouse processes to enhance efficiency and productivity.
• Inventory Control & Loss Prevention:
• Maintain stringent stock control and actively minimize stock write-offs attributed to redundancies and damages.
• Enforce strict adherence to proper stock rotation (First Expiry First Out - FEFO) and optimal stock handling practices.
• Proactively eliminate storage practices that could lead to deterioration of stock quality.
• Ensure all materials are prepared and handled in the Warehouse and Distribution areas in a manner that prevents any product loss, thereby ensuring uninterrupted business operations.
• Execute and complete monthly inventory control and cycle counts with high accuracy.
• Ensure yearly sampling procedures are carried out as per SOP.
• Assist in fumigation preparation and subsequent re-stacking.
• Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) Compliance & Implementation:
• Actively implement and ensure full compliance with all HSE programs and responsibilities.
• Enforce adherence to HSE standards and procedures, safe practices, good housekeeping standards, and Responsible Care requirements.
• Oversee and ensure the safe destruction of waste in accordance with regulations.
• Ensure strict adherence to all Health and Safety instructions on site, guaranteeing that PPE is worn as required at all times.
• Drive compliance with all Behaviour-Based Safety (BBS) rules and ensure continuous good housekeeping to maintain a safe working environment for all staff members.
• Promptly report all incidents and actively lead/assist in investigations to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.

Warehouse Activities & Compliance:

• Execute and coordinate the site dangerous goods compliance programme related to all offloading, storing, handling, loading and vehicle checks related to the chem product portfolio.
• Execute and coordinate all auxiliary warehouse activities, including the handling of D&O/expired stocks, exceptional labeling, re-labeling post-production, and the efficient management of complaints and returns.
• Ensure all these activities are conducted in line with country-specific regulations and in collaboration with Customer
• Service and Marketing, considering regulatory changes in the channel.
• Actively control expenses and identify/initiate cost savings across all distribution and warehouse activities.

Technology & System Utilisation:

• Operate and troubleshoot daily warehouse management system (WMS) functions (e.g., SAP, scanner operations) to ensure accurate inventory transactions and efficient workflow.
• Generate and analyse daily operational reports (e.g., picking efficiency, dispatch readiness, inventory discrepancies) to proactively identify issues and drive immediate corrective actions.
• Ensure accurate and timely data entry for all incoming and outgoing goods, stock movements, and inventory adjustments within the WMS/SAP system.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years operational experience within Distribution & Warehousing, Import & Exports, logistics
• Grade 12 /Diploma in Supply chain management/ Distribution & Warehousing/ Logistics/ IT programming/systems
• Strong understanding & execution of warehouse & logistics principles & practices
• Computer literate, Microsoft Office proficient & SAP experience
• Excellent  written, verbal, interpersonal & communication skills
• Knowledge of the Agricultural chemical & seed markets is advantageous
• Fluent in English, Afrikaans, and local vernacular advantageous
• Results orientated
• Ability to work effectively in a global, team matrix-based environment (cross-functional; cross-cultural)
• Agile
• High level of engagement & communication