Warehouse Manager

What does Perfection offer me?

You’ll join a company that’s on an exciting journey of innovation and growth. The Perfection Fresh Group is an Australian-based business that grows, packs and markets fresh produce both domestically and internationally. You’ll recognize our produce – Qukes®, Broccolini®, Calypso® mangoes … and so much more.

Perfection Fresh has a history of 45 years, and is listed on the Australian Financial Review’s top 100 private companies in Australia. We employ more than 1000 people across a wide range of settings, including farms, glasshouses, markets, value-add production, and corporate services.

Here's what you will be responsible for:

The Warehouse Manager is responsible for managing all aspects of warehouse operations, focusing on the efficient handling, storage, and distribution of fresh produce. This includes team leadership, order picking, health and safety, cost management, inventory management, fruit ripening, and operational flow optimization. 

The Warehouse Manager will also be responsible for managing equipment movements, ensuring the facility is properly maintained, and liaising with transport service providers.

• Team Leadership and Development: Recruit, select, orient, coach, and motivate warehouse staff. Plan work rotas, assign tasks appropriately, and appraise results to ensure high levels of productivity and efficiency.
• Order Picking and Dispatch: Supervise the order picking process, ensuring that orders are accurately prepared for dispatch. This includes managing the packing and labelling of produce for delivery to retail customers.
• Health and Safety: Maintain standards of health, safety, hygiene, and security in the warehouse. Implement and oversee safety policies and procedures to ensure a safe working environment for all staff.
• Inventory Management: Monitor inventory levels and implement strategies to optimize stock levels and reduce waste. This includes conducting regular inventory audits and reconciling with data storage systems. The Warehouse Manager must also ensure that inventory is accurately tracked, and that stock levels are maintained within acceptable limits.
• Management of Pallets and Crates: Ensure the efficient management of pallets and crates. This includes managing the movement of equipment on and off the warehouse's account, accounting for all equipment movements in and out of the warehouse and performing daily stocktakes and balancing equipment daily.
• Fruit Ripening: Oversee the fruit ripening processes and procedures, ensuring that produce is ripened to spec. This includes monitoring temperature, humidity, and gas levels in ripening rooms, and ensuring that ripening processes are optimized for maximum quality and shelf life.
• Cost Management and Reduction: Manage costs in line with budgets, including labour costs and other operational expenses. A major KPI related to this is the cost per carton, and the Warehouse Manager must develop strategies to reduce this cost. This includes identifying areas of inefficiency, implementing cost-saving measures, and monitoring progress towards budget targets.
• Facility Maintenance: Ensure the facility is properly maintained, including the refrigeration plant and other mechanical equipment like forklifts and pallet jacks. This includes scheduling regular maintenance, performing routine checks, and addressing any issues promptly.
• Operational Flow Optimization: Strategically manage warehouse operations to ensure efficient space utilization and smooth flow of products from receiving to dispatch. This includes setting up layout plans, implementing operational policies, and adhering to warehousing, handling, and shipping legislation requirements.
• 3PL Warehousing Activities: Manage and control 3pl stock and order preparation. Actively procure 3pl business. Actively manage the ongoing relationship with 3pl customers. 
• Liaison with Transport Service Providers: Coordinate with transport service providers to ensure efficient and timely delivery of fresh produce to retail customers. This includes scheduling deliveries, tracking shipments, and resolving any transportation issues.

What you will need for this role

• Diploma or Certificate in Warehousing and Distribution
• Diploma or Certificate in Work, Health& Safety (desirable)
• Forklift Licence (essential)
• Minimum 3-5 years’ experience in a similar role leading a team
• Experience working in fresh produce
• Knowledge of inventory and inventory controls
• Proven ability to implement process improvement initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team in the delivery of Company objectives.
• Well-developed problem solving and conflict management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written
• Attention to detail, achievement and outcomes focussed
• Excellent time management and  planning skills to work in a in a challenging and fast paced environment
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with internal and external customers.
• Computer literacy
• A positive mental attitude and an optimistic approach to work
• Flexible and adaptable with a strong willingness to learn, grow and develop self and others 
• Innovative self-starter with accuracy, attention to detail.

Note: We recruit our roles directly. Recruiters – please don’t reach out to our managers or send us candidates. If we need your help, we’ll be in touch. 

Privacy Collection Notice

The Company collects private information in inviting candidates to apply for advertised positions.  This information includes name, contact details, prior employment experience, notice period and confirmation of the right to work in Australia. In some cases, this will include vaccination status. If your application progresses, this will also include the conduct of referee reports.  The purpose of the collection of this information is to enable the Company to assess suitability for the position. 

The information obtained is confidential and managed by the HR Department in accordance with the Information Privacy Principles set out in the Privacy Act 1988. The information is securely stored with access restricted to nominated officers of the Company.  Information contained in this statement is not made available to any other third party without the written consent of the employee.  When the Company is required to do so under law, the information may be provided to the parties as directed.

By applying for this position, you consent to the collection of private information in accordance with the above.