Manager - Supply Chain & Logistics - Apparel Industry

About the Role:

We are seeking an experienced and highly analytical Supply Chain & Logistics Manager to oversee and optimize our end-to-end supply chain and logistics operations supporting our global business, with a primary focus on the Australian market.

The ideal candidate will be responsible for procurement planning, inventory management, international logistics, supplier management, demand forecasting, warehouse coordination, and transportation management. The candidate should possess a strong understanding of international supply chain operations, ERP systems, freight management, and data-driven decision-making to improve operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities:Supply Chain Strategy:

• Develop and execute supply chain strategies aligned with business growth objectives.

• Optimize end-to-end supply chain processes to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance service levels.

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across procurement, logistics, warehousing, and inventory management.

• Build scalable supply chain processes to support international business expansion.

Procurement & Supplier Management:

• Develop strategic sourcing plans and supplier selection strategies.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with domestic and international suppliers.

• Negotiate contracts, pricing, payment terms, and service level agreements (SLAs).

• Evaluate supplier performance and implement vendor scorecards.

• Ensure supplier compliance with quality, ethical, and regulatory standards.

Inventory Planning & Demand Forecasting:

• Develop demand forecasts using historical data and business trends.

• Maintain optimal inventory levels while minimizing stock-outs and excess inventory.

• Monitor inventory turnover, ageing stock, and replenishment cycles.

• Collaborate with sales and finance teams to align inventory planning with business forecasts.

International Logistics Management:

• Manage international freight operations, including sea, air, and road transportation.

• Coordinate with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and third-party logistics (3PL) providers.

• Ensure timely shipment scheduling and delivery.

• Monitor freight costs and identify opportunities for cost optimization.

• Manage import/export documentation and customs compliance.

Warehouse & Distribution:

• Oversee warehouse operations and inventory accuracy.

• Optimize warehouse layouts and storage processes.

• Monitor order fulfilment, dispatch timelines, and delivery performance.

• Coordinate with warehouse teams and logistics partners to ensure efficient operations.

Transportation & Distribution:

• Plan and optimize transportation routes.

• Monitor delivery performance and logistics KPIs.

• Manage carrier relationships and transportation contracts.

• Ensure on-time delivery while minimizing transportation costs.

ERP & Systems Management:

• Manage supply chain operations through ERP systems.

• Ensure accurate master data management.

• Utilize ERP reports for planning and operational decision-making.

• Collaborate with IT teams on process automation initiatives.

Risk Management & Compliance:

• Identify supply chain risks and develop mitigation strategies.

• Ensure compliance with Australian import/export regulations and international trade requirements.

• Monitor supplier compliance with company standards and statutory requirements.

• Develop contingency plans for supply chain disruptions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with Procurement, Finance, Sales, Customer Service, Operations, and Warehouse teams.

• Support business planning through supply chain insights.

• Participate in S&OP (Sales & Operations Planning) meetings.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Develop dashboards and reports for senior management.

• Track operational KPIs and recommend improvements.

• Analyse logistics costs, supplier performance, inventory accuracy, and delivery performance.

• Present supply chain performance reviews to leadership.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations Management, Engineering, or Business Administration.

• MBA in Supply Chain, Operations, or Logistics is preferred.

• 8-12 years of experience in Supply Chain and Logistics Management.

• Experience managing global or Australian supply chain operations is highly preferred.

Mandatory Skills:

• End-to-End Supply Chain Management

• Procurement & Strategic Sourcing

• Inventory Planning

• Demand Forecasting

• Warehouse Management

• Distribution Planning

• Transportation Management

• International Logistics

• Freight Management

• Ocean Freight

• Air Freight

• Road Transport

• Customs Documentation

• Import & Export Compliance

• Third-Party Logistics (3PL)

• Carrier Management

• ERP Systems (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, NetSuite, or similar)

• Advanced Microsoft Excel

• Power BI / Tableau

• Google Sheets

• Supply Chain Analytics Tools

• Cost Optimization

• Data Analysis

• KPI Monitoring

• Process Improvement

• Lean Supply Chain Principles

Preferred Experience:

• Candidates with experience in any of the following industries will be preferred: Retail, E-commerce, FMCG, Consumer Goods, Fashion & Apparel, Sportswear, Manufacturing, Distribution, Global Logistics, Third-Party Logistics (3PL).

• Experience working with Australian customers, suppliers, or logistics networks will be a significant advantage.

Key Competencies:

• Strategic Thinking, Leadership & Team Management, Commercial Acumen, Stakeholder Management, Negotiation Skills, Problem-Solving, Decision-Making, Analytical Thinking, Communication Skills, Time Management, Process Improvement, Adaptability in a Global Environment.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• On-Time Delivery (OTD), Inventory Accuracy, Inventory Turnover, Forecast Accuracy, Order Fulfilment Rate, Logistics Cost as a Percentage of Sales, Supplier Performance Score, Warehouse Productivity, Freight Cost Optimization, Customer Service Level, Procurement Savings, Supply Chain Cycle Time.