Manager Distribution Center Operations

Job Overview

The Manager Distribution Center Operations leads inbound and distribution activities to ensure products move efficiently from suppliers into available stock and onward to customers. The role coordinates warehouse, transport and customs-related processes while maintaining service levels for retail, wholesale and eCommerce demand. It requires close collaboration with supply chain, commercial, finance and marketing teams, as well as third-party logistics providers. The manager develops the local operations team, monitors performance and improves cost, capacity and delivery reliability across the distribution process.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage inbound shipments and product flow, ensuring goods are received, processed and booked into inventory on time.
• Coordinate distribution center and transport activities supporting business-to-business and business-to-consumer orders.
• Monitor order fulfilment and work with 3PL warehouse and transport partners to meet agreed delivery commitments.
• Ensure import and customs documentation is complete, including invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin and clearance records.
• Coordinate campaign and seasonal collection releases with retail, marketing, wholesale and eCommerce stakeholders.
• Track operational KPIs, inventory accuracy, service performance and cost; prepare reports and identify improvement actions.
• Support tenders and negotiations with logistics providers, manage operational budgets and coach the inbound and DC team.

Requirements and Qualifications

• A university degree in Management, Business, Engineering or a related field; a postgraduate qualification is.
• At least six years of logistics or distribution experience, ideally in apparel, footwear, retail or.
• Experience leading operational teams and coordinating warehouse, transport, customs or third-party logistics activities.
• Strong Microsoft Office and Excel skills; Power BI and SAP experience are beneficial.

Skills and Competencies

The role needs strong operational judgement, problem solving and the ability to coordinate several workstreams at once. The manager should communicate effectively with external providers and internal teams, understand supply chain cost and service drivers, and be comfortable working with performance data. Coaching, negotiation, planning and continuous improvement are important competencies.