Operations Manager for Fruit Cold Storage Facility in Coega
Jackie Cory Recruitment · Coega, Eastern Cape
Overview
A leading recruitment agency is hiring an experienced Operations Manager to run a fruit cold storage facility in Coega. You will oversee cold chain operations, lead teams, manage inventory and ensure food safety standards. This permanent, full time role suits someone with solid operations management experience in fruit cold storage who can hit the ground running.
About the role
Jackie Cory Recruitment is looking for an experienced Operations Manager to take charge of a fruit cold storage facility in Coega. You will be responsible for the day to day running of the facility, making sure fruit is handled efficiently, stored at optimal conditions and dispatched on time while keeping quality and food safety standards high.
You will lead a team of supervisors, warehouse staff and forklift operators, manage stock levels and inventory accuracy, control operational budgets and coordinate facility and refrigeration maintenance with internal teams and external contractors. You will also monitor KPIs, prepare reports for senior management and work closely with customers, suppliers and logistics providers to keep the cold chain seamless.
Please note: Experience specifically within a fruit cold storage facility is essential. Experience in milk, frozen products, packhouses or similar industries will not be considered. The client requires a highly capable Operations Manager who can hit the ground running.
Requirements
- Proven operations management experience, preferably in fruit cold storage, warehousing, logistics or the perishable goods industry
- Experience specifically within a fruit cold storage facility is essential; experience in milk, frozen products, packhouses or similar industries will not be suitable
- Sound understanding of cold chain management, fruit storage requirements and inventory control
- Strong leadership, staff management and problem solving abilities
- Knowledge of food safety, quality assurance and occupational health and safety standards
- Experience with inventory management systems such as WMS, SAP or similar, and Microsoft Excel
- Strong organisational, communication, reporting and analytical skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and make effective decisions in a fast paced operational environment
Responsibilities
- Oversee fruit receiving, inspection, storage, inventory control and dispatch while maintaining cold chain integrity and fruit quality
- Manage, lead and develop operational teams including supervisors, warehouse staff and forklift operators
- Monitor stock levels, stock movements, shelf life and inventory accuracy while minimising waste and spoilage
- Manage operational budgets, labour allocation, resources and procurement of operational supplies
- Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene, health and safety standards and operational procedures
- Oversee facility and refrigeration maintenance in collaboration with maintenance teams and external contractors
- Implement process improvements to increase productivity, reduce costs and minimise operational downtime
- Monitor operational KPIs, analyse performance and prepare reports for senior management
- Liaise with customers, suppliers and logistics providers to ensure timely deliveries and resolve operational issues
- Maintain a clean, safe and well organised facility, ensuring readiness during peak seasonal periods
Job details
- Organisation
- Jackie Cory Recruitment
- Location
- Coega, Eastern Cape
- Job type
- Full time
- Experience level
- Mid
- Category
- Logistics & Supply Chain
- Application Method
- Apply manually
Success Guide
This role is very specific about fruit cold storage experience, so make sure your CV clearly shows any work you have done in that exact environment. Even if your title was different, highlight things like cold chain handling, fruit quality checks, or warehouse supervision in a fruit storage setting. In interviews, be ready to talk about how you manage stock rotation, reduce spoilage, and lead teams during peak season. It also helps to mention any food safety or health and safety training you have completed. Since the facility is in Coega, think about your transport arrangements before applying. Show that you understand the pressures of seasonal fruit volumes and how you keep operations smooth when things get busy.
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