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HEAD OF SUPPLY CHAIN & LOGISTICS (CAKE FAIRY)

Cake Fairy ~~ 0 Bulawayo

Job Description

Job Description

A growing and established organisation operating across the food manufacturing, baking, retail and café/restaurant sectors is seeking a highly qualified, experienced and results-driven professional to join its team as Head of Supply Chain & Logistics.

The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership across the organisation’s procurement, supply chain, inventory, warehousing, distribution and logistics functions, ensuring the timely availability of quality ingredients, products, packaging and operational supplies at competitive costs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Procurement & Supplier Management

* Develop and implement an effective procurement and supply chain strategy aligned with the organisation’s growth and operational objectives.
* Oversee procurement of baking ingredients, confectionery products, packaging materials, baking supplies, café supplies, equipment and other operational requirements.
* Identify, evaluate and develop reliable suppliers.
* Negotiate competitive pricing, payment terms, delivery schedules and supplier contracts.
* Monitor supplier performance, quality, lead times and adherence to agreed terms.
* Maintain strong supplier relationships while ensuring value for money and compliance with procurement controls.

Inventory & Stock Management

* Develop and maintain effective inventory management systems across production, retail and café operations.
* Ensure optimal stock levels while minimising stock-outs, wastage, expiry, pilferage and unnecessary holding costs.
* Implement effective stock forecasting and replenishment systems based on sales trends, production requirements and business demand.
* Monitor the movement of perishable and non-perishable goods and ensure appropriate storage and stock rotation.
* Establish and monitor stock control procedures, including regular stock counts and reconciliation with system records.

Warehousing, Distribution & Logistics

* Oversee warehousing, transportation and distribution activities across the organisation.
* Ensure the timely movement of ingredients, packaging, finished products and other supplies between suppliers, production facilities, branches and café operations.
* Develop efficient delivery schedules and logistics processes to minimise transportation costs and delays.
* Ensure appropriate handling, storage and transportation of food products and other sensitive materials.
* Manage relationships with third-party transport and logistics service providers where applicable.

Cost Management & Operational Efficiency

* Identify opportunities to reduce procurement, logistics and inventory costs without compromising quality.
* Analyse purchasing trends, supplier pricing and consumption patterns to identify cost-saving opportunities.
* Develop and manage the Supply Chain & Logistics budget.
* Monitor expenditure and ensure procurement activities remain within approved budgets.
* Drive continuous improvement in supply chain processes and operational efficiency.

Risk, Compliance & Controls

* Ensure compliance with procurement policies, procedures and internal controls.
* Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including supplier disruptions, price fluctuations, shortages and logistics challenges.
* Develop contingency and alternative sourcing plans for critical ingredients, products and supplies.
* Work closely with Finance and Operations to ensure accurate procurement, stock and cost records.

Leadership & Reporting

* Lead, supervise, mentor and develop the Supply Chain & Logistics team.
* Establish clear performance standards and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
* Prepare regular reports on procurement spend, stock levels, supplier performance, stock variances, wastage, logistics costs and supply chain efficiency.
* Work closely with Finance, Operations, Production, Branch Management, Café Management and Sales to ensure seamless business operations.
* Provide strategic advice to senior management on procurement, inventory and supply chain matters.

Qualifications and Experience

* Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Procurement, Business Management or a related field.
* A professional qualification in Procurement, Supply Chain Management or Logistics will be an added advantage.
* A Master’s Degree in a relevant field will be an added advantage.
* Minimum 7 years’ progressive experience in supply chain, procurement and/or logistics management, with at least 3 years in a senior management or leadership role.
* Experience in food manufacturing, hospitality, retail, FMCG or a similar environment will be a strong advantage.
* Proven experience in procurement of food ingredients, packaging and operational supplies will be an added advantage.
* Strong knowledge of procurement procedures, inventory management, warehousing, distribution and logistics.
* Demonstrated experience in supplier relationship management, contract negotiation and supplier performance management.
* Experience with perishable products, stock rotation, wastage control and demand forecasting is desirable.
* Strong financial, analytical, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
* Excellent leadership, communication and people-management abilities.
* Proficiency in ERP systems, inventory management systems and Microsoft Office applications.
* Excellent report-writing, presentation and decision-making skills.

KEY COMPETENCIES

* Strategic Supply Chain Leadership
* Procurement & Supplier Management
* Inventory & Stock Control
* Demand Forecasting & Replenishment
* Warehousing & Distribution
* Logistics Management
* Cost Control & Budget Management
* Supplier Negotiation
* Risk & Business Continuity Management
* Data Analysis & Reporting
* Problem Solving & Decision Making
* Team Leadership & Development
* Integrity & Ethical Conduct
* Continuous Improvement

How to Apply

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will be a commercially minded, analytical and hands-on supply chain leader who understands the demands of a fast-paced food, retail and hospitality environment.

They must be able to effectively manage supplier relationships, procurement costs, inventory levels, stock movement, wastage and logistics, while ensuring uninterrupted support to production and customer-facing operations.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested and suitably qualified candidates should submit:

* Application Letter
* Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
* Certified copies of academic and professional qualifications

Applications should be submitted to recruitment@cakefairy1.com by 11 September 2026.

Please use “HEAD OF SUPPLY CHAIN & LOGISTICS” as the subject of your email.

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