Warehouse Lead

Warehouse Lead / Warehouse Supervisor

Job Purpose

To supervise and coordinate all warehouse operations at the zinc mine, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant handling, storage, issuing, and reconciliation of materials, spares, consumables, and equipment. The Warehouse Lead supports production, engineering, and maintenance teams by ensuring reliable supply of critical items, accurate inventory control, and continuous improvement of warehouse processes.

Key Responsibilities

Warehouse Operations Supervision

• Oversee daily warehouse activities including receiving, storing, issuing, and dispatching materials.
• Ensure accurate and timely capturing of all transactions in the ERP/CMMS system (SAP, Pragma, OnKey, etc.).
• Allocate tasks to warehouse clerks, storemen, forklift operators, and assistants.
• Ensure proper housekeeping, segregation, and inventory layout for efficient workflow.

Inventory & Stock Control

• Conduct regular cycle counts, bin verifications, and full stock takes.
• Monitor inventory levels and support procurement with re‑order requirements.
• Ensure accurate stock rotation using FIFO/FEFO principles.
• Manage critical spares and high-value engineering components.
• Preservation and Storage Best Practices.

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

Enforce strict adherence to:

• Mine Health & Safety Act (MHSA)
• Safe lifting and material handling procedures
• Hazardous materials storage regulations
• PPE requirements
• Fire safety and emergency procedures
• Ensure correct handling and storage of chemicals, lubricants, fuels, and flammables.
• Identify and report safety hazards in the warehouse area.

Receiving & Dispatch Management

• Verify incoming deliveries against purchase orders and specifications.
• Ensure correct documentation: delivery notes, GRNs, waybills, MSDS, etc.
• Inspect items for damage, quality issues, and compliance with requirements.
• Coordinate outbound shipments and returns to suppliers.

Support to Maintenance & Operations

• Work closely with maintenance planners, artisans, and production supervisors to ensure timely supply of:
• Mechanical spares
• Electrical and instrumentation equipment
• Safety stock and consumables
• Support urgent breakdown requests and critical spare issuance.
• Ensure correct linking of parts to work orders and job packs.

Warehouse Document & Data Management

Maintain accurate records for:

• Stock movements
• Bin locations
• Serialized and batch-controlled items
• Calibration items
• Ensure document traceability, adherence to SOPs, and archival of records.

Team Leadership & Development

• Supervise and mentor warehouse personnel.
• Conduct daily toolbox talks and safety briefings.
• Train staff on warehouse procedures, ERP systems, and equipment operation.
• Manage staff discipline, attendance, and performance.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify inefficiencies and propose process improvements.
• Support warehouse layout optimization and inventory management enhancements.
• Implement barcoding, labelling, and digital tracking improvements (where applicable).

Required Skills & Competencies

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of warehouse operations and supply chain principles.
• Competence with ERP/CMMS systems (SAP, Oracle, Pragma, OnKey, Ellipse).
• Knowledge of engineering spares and mining-related consumables.
• Forklift and material-handling equipment awareness.
• Strong understanding of inventory accuracy, cycle counting, and stock analysis.

Behavioural Competencies

• Strong leadership and supervisory skills.
• High attention to detail and organizational discipline.
• Effective communication with maintenance, engineering, and procurement teams.
• Analytical skills and problem-solving mindset.
• Strong safety awareness.

Qualifications & Experience

Minimum Requirements

• Grade 12 (Matric) or equivalent.
• 3–5 years warehouse/storekeeping experience.
• 1–2 years in a supervisory or team lead role.
• Experience in mining, manufacturing, or heavy industry.
• Computer literacy (ERP systems, MS Office).

Preferred

• Diploma in Supply Chain, Logistics, or Warehousing Management.
• SAP MM or similar system training.
• Experience with critical spares management for heavy industrial equipment.
• Valid forklift licence (advantage).

Physical & Work Environment Conditions

• Work in warehouse and yard areas with exposure to movement of forklifts, trucks, and materials.
• Must be able to lift and handle items within safety guidelines.
• Occasional work in dusty or noisy plant-adjacent environments.
• Standard hours with potential overtime during shutdowns or urgent operational demands.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Inventory accuracy (>95%).
• Stock count variance reduction.
• On-time material availability for maintenance and operations.
• Compliance with warehouse safety standards.
• Efficiency of receiving and issuing processes.
• Team performance and adherence to procedures.