Head of Warehouse – Compliance & Perishables Specialist 202 views

Reports to: General Manager

Direct Reports: Operations Manager, Maintenance Team, Health & Safety Officer

Job Description

Position Overview

We are seeking a high-level expert in perishables to lead and optimize our operational structure. This role requires a specialist in maintaining the integrity of perishable goods, ensuring continuous temperature control and compliance with the highest quality standards for dairy, fruits and vegetables, frozen goods, caviar, smoked fish, and other premium imports.
This position is critical in reducing shrinkage, avoiding wastage, and guaranteeing top-tier product quality through advanced logistics, storage, and temperature management strategies. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of import regulations, cold chain logistics, and the delicate nature of high-value perishables.
Additionally, the candidate will be responsible for bringing our operations to international food safety and quality management standards, specifically:

• ISO 22000 – The global standard for food safety management in warehouses
  handling perishables. Ensures safe storage and handling procedures to protect product integrity.
• ISO 9001:2000 – Establishes quality management systems to enhance warehouse efficiency and operational excellence.

This role includes leading the process of obtaining ISO 22000 certification in collaboration with the Seychelles Bureau of Standards (SBS) and ensuring all storage and handling procedures meet these internationally recognized benchmarks.

Key Responsibilities

1. Perishables & Cold Chain Expertise

• Lead and implement best practices in perishable storage, transport, and handling, ensuring strict temperature-controlled environments from arrival to delivery.
• Maintain continuous monitoring of freezers, chillers, and cold storage areas to eliminate temperature fluctuations that lead to product degradation.
• Develop protocols for handling high-value perishables such as caviar, smoked fish, frozen seafood, dairy, and fresh produce.
• Work closely with suppliers to ensure strict compliance with cold chain logistics and handling.

2. Operations Oversight & Compliance

• Manage import processes and customs clearance, ensuring efficiency and compliance with Seychelles’ regulatory requirements.
• Supervise warehouse operations, stock control, and product movement from receiving to final dispatch.
• Lead the ISO 22000 certification process, working with SBS to implement global food safety standards.
• Develop and enforce HACCP, health & safety, and food hygiene standards to guarantee product safety.
• Oversee all vehicle and warehouse maintenance, ensuring freezers, chillers, and refrigerated trucks are in optimal condition.

3. Quality Assurance & Loss Prevention

• Implement waste reduction strategies and establish strict shrinkage control measures to prevent losses due to poor temperature handling.
• Ensure quality assurance protocols are met, minimizing damage and maximizing shelf life.
• Lead investigations on product spoilage, implementing corrective actions to avoid future incidents.

4. Staff Management & Training

• Train operations and warehouse teams on perishable handling protocols, emphasizing temperature control, storage rotation, and best practices.
• Establish a culture of accountability regarding perishable management, ensuring compliance at all levels.
• Lead the employment and disciplinary process for the operations team, ensuring performance standards are met.

Benefits

Commensurate with experience and qualifications

Job Requirements

Requirements & Skills

• Expert-level knowledge of cold chain logistics & perishable management (Dairy, seafood, fresh produce, frozen goods).
• Proven experience in importing high-value perishables and maintaining strict temperature-controlled logistics.
• Strong background in warehouse & operations management, with a focus on minimizing wastage and ensuring optimal product integrity.
• Experience in fleet & maintenance management, ensuring refrigerated vehicles and storage facilities are well-maintained.
• Deep understanding of customs clearance procedures, import regulations, and food safety compliance.
• Proven track record in implementing ISO 22000 & HACCP standards in food handling operations.
• Strong leadership & problem-solving skills, with the ability to implement best practices and hold teams accountable.
• Experience in ISO certification processes and working with regulatory bodies to obtain operational qualifications.
• Experience of 5 years + in this field

This role is for a top-tier operations professional who can take full ownership of the perishable supply chain, ensuring that our premium products arrive in perfect condition, minimizing losses, and maximizing efficiency. The successful candidate will lead the transformation of our operations into an internationally certified food-safe environment, ensuring compliance, quality, and long-term sustainability.

Only candidates with proven experience in managing perishable imports, cold chain logistics, and operational excellence should apply

How to Apply?

Interested candidates should Sign-up or login to apply now or kindly forward your application letter, CV, Police Character certificate, and references to: hrm@apex.sc by Monday 24th March 2025.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY SHORT-LISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED

Note:

In order to increase your chances of a successful selection, kindly ensure that your application is complete and that all relevant information such as your qualifications have been provided with your application.   Otherwise, the Employer reserves the right not to consider your application for selection.