Job Description
National Distribution Manager
Our client, a leading South African retail and healthcare organisation, is seeking an experienced National Distribution Manager to lead and optimise its national distribution and transport operations.
This is a high-impact leadership opportunity responsible for a complex national distribution network supporting operations across South Africa and selected cross-border markets. The successful candidate will drive operational excellence across transport, distribution, customer service, third-party logistics, and continuous improvement initiatives while leading large operational teams within a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
The role offers the opportunity to influence strategic distribution initiatives, optimise national logistics performance, and play a key role in supporting the continued growth of a highly successful organisation.
Duties and Responsibilities
National Distribution Leadership
Lead and optimise national distribution operations across multiple sites and regions
Drive operational excellence, service delivery, and customer satisfaction across the distribution network
Support network growth, scalability, and continuous improvement initiatives
Monitor operational performance and implement strategies to improve efficiency and service levels
Ensure distribution operations effectively support business objectives and customer demand
Transport & Logistics Optimisation
Drive transport efficiency, route optimisation, fleet utilisation, and delivery performance
Identify and implement cost-saving and productivity improvement initiatives
Monitor distribution costs and operational performance against agreed targets
Drive operational efficiencies across transport and logistics operations
Ensure effective utilisation of distribution assets and resources
Third-Party Logistics & Vendor Management
Manage strategic relationships with third-party logistics providers and transport partners
Monitor vendor performance and ensure adherence to service level agreements
Drive accountability and continuous improvement across outsourced logistics operations
Support supplier reviews, contract management, and operational performance initiatives
Leadership, Governance & Compliance
Lead, mentor, and develop regional and national operational teams
Foster a culture of accountability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement
Ensure compliance with transport, logistics, safety, and regulatory requirements
Maintain strong operational governance, risk management, and health & safety standards
Support business continuity and operational resilience initiatives
Remuneration and Benefits
Competitive executive-level salary package
Performance-based incentive structure
Opportunity to lead a nationally significant distribution operation
Exposure to large-scale logistics, transport, and supply chain optimisation initiatives
Strategic leadership role with significant operational influence
Opportunity to drive transformation and continuous improvement across a complex distribution environment
Career growth within a highly successful and market-leading organisation
Minimum Requirements
Relevant tertiary qualification in Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations Management, or a related field
8-10+ years' experience within large-scale distribution, logistics, transport, or supply chain environments
Proven experience managing multi-site distribution operations
Strong transport, fleet, and third-party logistics management experience
Experience within retail, FMCG, pharmaceutical, logistics, manufacturing, or similarly complex environments
Strong commercial, operational, and leadership capability
What Will Make You Successful in This Role?
A proven track record leading large-scale distribution and logistics operations
Strong operational and commercial acumen
The ability to balance service delivery excellence with cost optimisation
Experience driving logistics, transport, and distribution performance improvements
Strong stakeholder management and leadership capability
A results-driven approach with a passion for operational excellence and continuous improvement
Key Performance Indicators
Distribution service level achievement
Delivery performance and customer satisfaction
Fleet utilisation and transport efficiency
Distribution cost optimisation
Third-party logistics provider performance
Operational compliance and governance standards
Continuous improvement and productivity outcomes