Supply Chain Head of Department at National Retail Group, Durban
Saflin Consulting · Durban, KwaZulu Natal
Overview
A well established national retail group is looking for an experienced Supply Chain Head of Department to lead their end to end supply chain function at their Durban head office. This permanent, office based role puts you in charge of inventory, warehousing, distribution and logistics, with a strong focus on cost control, service levels and continuous improvement. It is a great fit for a senior supply chain professional who wants to make a real impact in a dynamic retail environment. Qualified CA(SA) professionals looking to move into industry are also welcome to apply.
About the role
Our client, a well established national retail group, is seeking an experienced Supply Chain Head of Department to lead and manage its entire supply chain function. This is a permanent, office based position at their head office in Durban.
What you will be doing:
- Develop and implement supply chain strategies and operational plans
- Manage inventory, distribution, warehousing and logistics
- Drive cost optimisation and operational efficiency
- Ensure service levels and product availability targets are met
- Lead, manage and develop the supply chain team
- Build and maintain supplier and stakeholder relationships
- Monitor performance, manage operational risks and ensure compliance
- Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives
Who we are looking for: A strategic thinker with at least 8 to 10 years of supply chain, logistics or operations experience, including 3 years in a senior leadership role. You should have a Master's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration or a related field, and strong analytical and people management skills.
Open to CA(SA) professionals: We also welcome applications from qualified Chartered Accountants who are commercially minded, analytical and eager to transition from practice into a dynamic corporate environment.
Important application note: Please submit your CV along with a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role and your relevant experience.
Requirements
- Master's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration or a related field
- Minimum 8 to 10 years' experience in supply chain, logistics or operations
- At least 3 years' experience in a senior leadership role
- Strong strategic and analytical thinking skills
- Proven leadership and team management experience
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- In-depth knowledge of inventory management, logistics and supply chain operations
- Computer literacy, including MS Office and supply chain systems
- Retail or FMCG experience advantageous
- Open to qualified CA(SA) professionals looking to transition into industry
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement supply chain strategies and operational plans
- Manage inventory, distribution, warehousing and logistics
- Drive cost optimisation and operational efficiency
- Ensure service levels and product availability targets are achieved
- Lead, manage and develop the supply chain team
- Build and maintain supplier and stakeholder relationships
- Monitor performance, manage operational risks and ensure compliance
- Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives
Job details
- Organisation
- Saflin Consulting
- Location
- Durban, KwaZulu Natal
- Job type
- Full time
- Experience level
- Senior (8+ years)
- Education
- Master
- Category
- Logistics & Supply Chain
- Application Method
- Apply manually
Success Guide
Taking on a Head of Department role in supply chain is a big step, and this Durban based position puts you right at the centre of retail operations. When you apply, highlight your hands on experience with inventory, warehousing and logistics, and show how you have led teams and cut costs in previous roles.
If you are a CA(SA) looking to move into industry, emphasise your commercial awareness and analytical skills. In the interview, expect questions about end to end supply chain strategy, supplier negotiation, and how you manage service levels under pressure. Have concrete examples ready of improvements you have implemented, such as reducing stock outs or streamlining distribution.
Remember to submit a cover letter that speaks directly to the Master's degree requirement and your senior leadership experience. Good luck!
How we help you prepare
This employer takes applications on their own website, so you'll submit this one yourself — but SPAAN NOW gets everything ready for you first. Here's how it works:
- Our AI tailors your CV to match this job's keywords and requirements, so it stands out to recruiters and screening systems.
- A custom cover letter is written specifically for this role — no generic templates.
- We gather the documents this job needs: CV, Cover letter and Degree certificate. SPAAN NOW pulls these from your profile and packages them together, ready to attach.
- Once your application is prepared, we show you exactly how and where to apply — just follow the link to the employer and submit your ready-made CV, cover letter and documents.
- Mark it as applied under Applications to keep track, and if you're shortlisted, use AI Interview Prep to practise questions commonly asked for roles like this.
We do the hard part — tailoring and gathering everything — so applying yourself only takes a minute.
Spaan Talk
Nobody has said anything yet. Be the first.