First Line Manager: Operations | Foods – Woolworths

Location: Midrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng

Reference Number: WWL261009-23

Business Unit: Supply Chain & Logistics

Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Posted: 09 October 2026

Closing Date: 14 October 2026

About the Company

Woolworths is one of South Africa’s most iconic and trusted retail brands, celebrated nationally for its uncompromised commitment to food quality, sustainability, fresh supply chain innovation, and customer satisfaction. The Woolworths Supply Chain and Logistics network forms the backbone of its nationwide food business, managing complex temperature-controlled logistics to ensure fresh, high-quality products reach store shelves every day.

At Woolworths, workplace culture is guided by values of quality, integrity, sustainability, diversity, and operational excellence. Logistics teams operate within fast-paced, technology-driven distribution centers supported by lean methodologies (INVOCOM), continuous improvement frameworks, and structured employee development programs. Joining Woolworths in Midrand connects you with an industry leader dedicated to innovation and supply chain mastery.

Company Summary

• Industry: Retail Supply Chain, Logistics & FMCG Foods
• Company Size: Enterprise National Leader
• Work Culture: Value-Driven, Continuous Improvement, High-Performance, Inclusive
• Location: Midrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Available Opportunities

Woolworths is recruiting a First Line Manager: Operations | Foods on a full-time basis within their Supply Chain & Logistics division in Midrand. Reporting to the Operations Manager, you will lead day-to-day warehouse execution, manage operational teams, optimize resource usage, and enforce end-to-end process compliance across receiving, picking, despatch, and inventory management.

Core Responsibilities:

• Operational Execution & Team Scorecards: Managing day-to-day warehouse execution using INVOCOM methodology to drive team goals, meet service level agreements (SLAs), and fulfill the business unit’s 1-year operating plan.
• End-to-End Process Compliance: Overseeing strict compliance across all core warehouse functions—receiving, picking, despatch, cold-chain handling, and inventory management—against documented Woolworths process standards.
• Resource & Variable Asset Optimization: Planning and managing full-time equivalent (FTE) staffing plans, equipment usage (reach trucks, pallet jacks, handheld scanners), consumables, and operational technology to maximize productivity and control unit costs.
• Stakeholder Management: Building and maintaining strong working relationships with transport, trunking, cross-docking, equipment center, and retail store teams to ensure smooth logistics flows.
• People Leadership & Industrial Relations: Leading, coaching, and developing operational team members, managing employee performance, executing talent management programs, and ensuring sound employee relations and equity (EE) compliance.
• Safety, Governance & Reporting: Enforcing strict compliance with corporate governance, Occupational Health and Safety (OHSA), and SHE programs while delivering accurate, timeous operational reporting.

Key Objectives

Your success as a First Line Manager in Foods Operations will be evaluated by SLA adherence, picking/despatch accuracy, labor productivity ratios, and OHSA safety compliance. Within your first 90 days, you will be expected to:

1. Drive INVOCOM Team Alignment: Conduct structured daily INVOCOM visual management meetings to align team targets with overall logistics scorecards.
2. Maintain 100% Process Compliance: Audit receiving, picking, and despatch workflows to eliminate errors, stock damage, and cold-chain breaches.
3. Optimize Staffing & Equipment Utilization: Manage FTE shift rosters and equipment availability to achieve peak order turnaround times within allocated budget constraints.
4. Uphold Safety & Health Standards: Ensure 100% adherence to OHSA laws, SHE guidelines, and food safety regulations across all assigned warehouse zones.

What You Will Learn

Stepping into a first-line operational leadership role within Woolworths Supply Chain offers advanced technical and managerial development. In this role, you will build expertise in:

• INVOCOM & Lean Supply Chain Methodologies: Utilizing visual management techniques, continuous improvement frameworks, and daily operational scorecards.
• High-Volume FMCG Cold Chain Logistics: Best practices for handling perishable food products, inventory rotation, cross-docking, and trunking workflows.
• Resource & Labor Productivity Planning: Advanced techniques for forecasting shift capacity, managing FTE operational budgets, and optimizing equipment usage.
• Retail Industrial Relations & Leadership: Coaching diverse warehouse teams, managing performance metrics, and applying Woolworths values-based leadership models.

What You Gain

Joining Woolworths on a full-time, permanent basis brings significant career security, corporate benefits, and professional growth opportunities:

• Permanent Management Role: Full-time appointment within a top-tier South African retail supply chain organization.
• Competitive Remuneration & Corporate Benefits: Market-related salary package accompanied by performance incentives, medical aid, retirement benefits, and staff discounts.
• Accelerated Career Advancement: Clear pathways to transition into Operations Manager, Logistics Planning Specialist, or Supply Chain Strategy roles within Woolworths.
• Value-Driven Workplace Culture: A progressive environment prioritizing employee safety, diversity, equity, and continuous professional development.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential Minimum Requirements:

• Grade 12 / Matric certificate (Compulsory).
• Three-year Tertiary Diploma in Logistics, Commerce, or Supply Chain Management (Compulsory).
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant supply chain or warehouse experience in a managerial or supervisory role (Compulsory).
• Formal management or supervisory training.
• Strong knowledge of warehouse processes (receiving, picking, despatch, inventory control) and asset/resource optimization.
• Excellent leadership, communication, decision-making, and people management skills.
• Sound understanding of OHSA, SHE programs, corporate governance, and labor relations principles.

Advantageous Criteria:

• Quality assurance background or certification (e.g., Six Sigma green/black belt or ISO frameworks).
• Prior supervisory experience within a high-volume Retail or FMCG food distribution environment.

Interview Questions to Prepare For

Candidates applying on applyretail.co.za should prepare to answer the following interview questions during the selection process:

1. “How do you utilize the INVOCOM methodology to drive daily operational targets and resolve process bottlenecks in a warehouse environment?”
   • Tip: Explain hosting structured shift huddles, reviewing visual scorecard metrics, identifying root causes of delays, and assigning actionable continuous improvement tasks.
2. “How do you manage staffing plans (FTEs) and equipment allocations to handle sudden spikes in receiving or despatch volumes?”
   • Tip: Highlight analyzing historical order patterns, cross-training team members across zones, reallocating pallet jacks and scanners dynamically, and managing flexible shift rosters.
3. “What steps do you take to enforce strict compliance with OHSA and food safety regulations in a fast-paced distribution hub?”
   • Tip: Discuss conducting daily safety walks, enforcing mandatory PPE usage, monitoring cold-room temperature logs, and taking immediate corrective action on hazards.
4. “Why do you want to advance your supply chain management career with Woolworths Foods in Midrand?”
   • Tip: Express your commitment to supply chain excellence, admiration for Woolworths’ food quality standards, and drive to lead high-performing operational teams.

Career Advice for Applicants

To ensure your application stands out on applyretail.co.za:

• Highlight Mandatory Credentials: Explicitly feature your Grade 12 certificate, 3-year Logistics/Supply Chain Diploma, and 3+ years of supervisory experience at the top of your CV.
• Detail FMCG & Quality Assurance Experience: Mention any exposure to Six Sigma, lean logistics, temperature-controlled food distribution, or INVOCOM methodologies.
• Confirm Midrand Commute: Verify that commuting to the Woolworths Supply Chain hub in Midrand, Johannesburg, for regular shift schedules is practical for you.
• Apply Before 14 October 2026: Submit your updated CV, certified copies of qualifications, ID document, and contactable references before the closing date.

How to Apply

1. Click the “Apply Now” button below on applyretail.co.za.
2. Upload your CV, Grade 12 certificate, 3-year Logistics/Commerce Diploma, ID document, and contactable references.
3. Complete the online Woolworths application form using reference number WWL261009-23.

Apply now