Distribution Manager

Job Description : DISTRIBUTION MANAGER OMAN Distribution Manger (Distribution & Stores) Direct reporting to : Manager Supply Chain Minimum graduate, MBA preferred Age maximum 42 years Minimum 15 years out of which 5 years experience as Sales Supervisor or above position in FMCG in any GCC country. PerA person with Oman experience is preferable Experience MUST handle a team of sales executives managing modern trade, discussion, and closing of annual bda, monthly promos, displays, etc with modern trade. Driving license which can be converted to Oman immediately. Purpose of the Role: To oversee and managing company's logistics strategy and operations in order to maximize the process efficiency and productivity. Plan, manage and coordinate all operations of the RM and PM stores and manage distribution operations effectively and efficiently, aimed at achieving continuous order fulfilment. To ensure efficient operations across the full spectrum of logistics and Warehouse activities aimed at increasing sales, reducing costs and ensuring total customer satisfaction, both internal and external. Business and Operations Focus: Distribution (Outward FG) Management: 1. Ensure the proper storage, effective transportation, and on-time delivery of FG within set targets and budgets. Adhere to the targeted 48 hours delivery window when orders and commercials are clear (On time performance). 2. Ensure that each shipment is delivered without any damages or loss and is accompanied by the accurate billing report and all necessary documentation, invoices etc. 3. Work closely with the sales teams to ensure that orders are delivered on time, in full. Ensure customer satisfaction by delivering timely shipments based on orders and providing them with timely, requisite information. Ensure that all outlets are serviced satisfactorily. 4. Evaluate the sales forecasts provided by the National Sales Manager (Oman). Provide these requirements to production. Work closely with the MSD Head and sales teams to understand and implement order prioritization. Work to harmonize order prioritization with the FIFO principle. 5. Ensure proper coordination between FGS and production to ensure that the daily production report is verified with accurate entries. Plan daily distribution efficiencies based on inputs received from the production lines. 6. Liaise with freight forwarders and transporters to ensure that goods are cleared and delivered in a timely manner to all distributor and sales locations. 7. Plan for and ensure an effective RTM and profitable van sales including effective routing of the company vans which ensures full coverage across all SKU's and ranges which also accommodates the PJP of the sales managers. 8. Plan, direct and monitor routing for all assigned facilities to ensure proper route coverage to the distributor points and/or sales locations. 9. Responsible for direction and coordination of route drivers to ensure maximum performance related to product delivery, service and good customer relations. 10. Ensure that customer complaints related to in-store service and delivery are investigated and resolved. 11. Ensure that route returns are maintained within company approved processes and defined standards with respect to reuse or disposal. 12. Ensure full compliance with all company quality assurance standards. 13. Perform regular inspections to ensure all facilities, equipment and vehicles are in full compliance of company standards. 14. Effective and safe management of the fleet of delivery vehicles and personnel. 15. Distribution and maintenance control on the ERP application with true, accurate and timely entries. 16. Understand and drive distribution initiatives as well as overall cost reduction and economy of managed operations. RM, PM Stores, Logistics, and SCM: 17. Lead inventory management and ensure that sufficient stocks are available as per company norms. Ensure 100% adherence to FIFO stock movement. 18. Monitor stock levels and arrange for timely replenishment of stocks. 19. Effectively coordinate with warehouse, accounts and purchase functions. Ensure that inter-function dependencies are smoothly fulfilled. 20. Provide a weekly report to the planning department indicating the equation between sales forecasts, demand and inventory levels. Involve in the initial process of production planning to ensure that weekly delivery plans are being addressed through proper production roll outs. 21. Plan and control daily department transactions and logistics operations with the team. 22. Maintain shipment tracking reports to ensure smooth movement of shipment and goods. 23. Track order status, production, shipping, arrival, and clearing dates with the suppliers and agents. 24. Ensure proper checks and documentation in receipt of stocks as per company standards and procedures to meet QA requirements. 25. Update the purchase department about shortages and damages in the shipment for insurance claims. 26. Conduct perpetual stock counts in all warehouses across Oman to ensure Zero Discrepancy in stocks. 27. Optimize space utilization in warehouse, corridor and on the ramp. Ensure orderly storage of items according to the frequency of their movement (ABC Analysis). Maintain the warehouse and surrounding areas in an orderly and professional fashion at all times. 28. Ensure structured asset tracking, quick identification and easy retrieve-ability of stored goods, with readily available, superior tracking and historical information. 29. Maintain and manage the most optimal level of fleet management. 30. Ensure continuous and optimum implementation of the required safety, hygiene and security systems. 31. Develop disaster plans and fall back plans for logistics movement. Commercial and Legal Focus: 32. Ensure preparation of the annual budget relating to the departments managed and ensure that actual expenses are in line with the approved budget (economic and effective procurement, inventory control, reduce variable and overhead costs etc.). 33. Accountable for result driven negotiations and proper contracting of deals. 34. Ensure compliance to all legal and regulatory requirements and conformance of all policies and processes, clearances and approvals from government, semi government, regulatory and industry governors in all operating markets. 35. Work closely with the sales department to ensure commercial order processing. 36. Monitor scrap generation and ensure scrap sales at competitive/best price. 37. Periodically inform sales on slow moving or non-moving RMPM to ensure utilization/discharge. 38. Prepare the necessary claims and reports in case of product discrepancies (damages/shortages). 39. Monitor and approve the billing of transportation companies. 40. Accountable for result driven negotiations and proper contracting of deals. To negotiate effectively with road transporters and delivery agencies so as to maximize the benefits for the company in terms of storage, transportation and overall delivery costs. 41. Monitor and provide suggestions to improve inventory turns, inventory return ratios aimed at timely realization; minimize warehousing and storage costs, etc. 42. Ensure compliance to all legal requirements and conformance of all policies and processes. 43. Ensure risk mitigation. Prioritize adherence to norms relating to safety, hygiene and security. Plan and implement effective controls and avoid promulgation of malpractices. Systems Focus: 44. Plan and implement system and process improvements in warehousing (eg: WMS) and distribution operations. Evaluate industry best / standard practices and technology tools / automation to improve operational efficiencies. 45. Implement ways to improve orderliness and standardization in warehouse, storage and delivery operations. 46. Plan and implement systems, automation and process improvements in the department. Evaluate industry best / standard practices, competitor environments/information and technology tools / automation to improve product quality, productivity, performance / throughput, team spirit, financial efficiency etc. 47. Monitor and review reports from RM/PM Stores, Distribution and devise ways of standardizing and formatting the same to ensure proper representation, visibility of key highlights for decision making, user friendliness, usability and neatness/professionalism. 48. Liaison with the IT department to improve the report making process and to speed up the availability of information, data and details which are promptly required to quickly draw up effective reports and meaningful MIS's on schedule. 49. Track complaints and obtain feedback from internal customers, such as sales, exports, production, accounts, QA; as well as from external customers, such as distributors, traders etc. and use this information to improve the performance of the assigned functions, reduce complaints, and increase satisfaction, through greater systematization, continuous improvement and standardization. 50. Set standard and sufficient processes to effectively manage invoicing, (minimize) short dates and market returns. 51. Conduct branch audits and market audits along with the QA team. Evaluate branch and markets based on inventory management, stacking, avoidance of expiries and damages, shelf presentation, route quality etc. Provide audit feedback to the management aimed at improving operational parameters of branch and market workings. 52. Network with, build relations, and discuss with industry experts to identify ways to effectively reduce costs and improve performance. People Focus: 53. Ensure that the JD's and KRA's of all team members are always updated and current. Ensure sufficient communication, reviews, feedback and dialogues so that team members clearly understand their targets and expectations; and perform accordingly. 54. Ensure that all new joiners are properly inducted and receive and understand their role expectations upon joining. 55. Provide leadership, motivation and engagement of all resources, including the relevant delivery and transportation resources. 56. Manage organizational capability development by managing staffing quality, and training & development of relevant resources. 57. Provide structured on the job training and mentoring of team members, including delivery staff. 58. Train departmental and vendor staff in aspects where they need support i.e. safety, packaging, storage and cartage, technology applications, commercials, etc. 59. Provide continual communication, feedback and undertake performance development measures / initiatives. Conduct timely performance evaluations and implement corrective actions to ensure performance improvement. 60. Manage team aspirations, skills and competence development and career planning. 61. Leverage empowerment, decentralization and delegation to managed resources to improve performance. Reports, MIS and Communications Focus: 62. Prepare and standardize crisp MIS's and reports which indicate key highlights of the stores and distribution function, with drill down information, data, and statistics covering costs, on-time-performance, billing accuracy, damage free shipment stats, etc. 63. Prepare periodic stores and distribution activity MIS's and reports covering Perfect Order metric consisting of on-time delivery rate, invoice accuracy rate, shipped without damage rate, order entry accuracy rate, total warehouse pick accuracy rate and review the same with the management team. Initiate and implement actions resulting from such reviews and maintain structured reports / logs for the same. 64. Monthly analysis report of slow moving and non-moving PM. 65. Monthly analysis of shelf life of RM. 66. Prepare key figures, snapshots and reports related to stores and distribution activities for presentation in the monthly meetings covering inventory turns, warehouse costs as a % of sales, among others. 67. Provide structured feedback and forecasts to backend production and business operations to manage demand planning, product quality, and related improvement / change necessities. 68. Communicate, synergize and coordinate with all other functions to ensure that departmental plans and targets are successfully achieved. Resolve bottlenecks and ensure optimal efficiency of stores and distribution operations. Role Requirements: 1. Graduate in Management, preferably with a specialization in Supply Chain Management. 2. At least 5 years of relevant Warehouse and Distribution experience, preferably in the FMCG food industry, of which, preferably at least 4 years should be in the UAE or GCC markets. Age will be between 30 - 35. 3. Thorough knowledge of food distribution in a multi-brand, multi-market, multi-channel environment with high SKU's. 4. Experience of Warehouse Systems, Transportation Systems, and Warehouse Slotting, using an ERP backend for operations and administration. 5. Proven experience of managing transporters, freight forwarders, clearance agencies and shipping and delivery agencies, including fleet management. 6. Demonstrated expertise in managing Logistics and SCM teams, with multi product lines, and proven leadership skills. Ability to develop, mentor and motivate teams. 7. Good with numbers, statistics and analytics with a strong ability to interpret and capitalize on master data and category planning needs. 8. Good at devising systems and processes to increase efficiencies. 9. Excellent communication and presentation skills. 10. Good experience of working in cross functional teams with special emphasis on working with Purchase, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, Finance, and Marketing and Sales Teams. 11. Thorough with MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). 12. Relevant user level experience of ERP. 13. Primary job location: Muscat, Oman. 14. Travelling: Routine travel across Muscat, regular travel to distribution points and sales locations, and any international travel whenever required.

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