Neil Postum

• Site Management: Oversaw the efficient operation of a 40,000 m² distribution facility, ensuring all departments, including warehouse operations, inbound and outbound logistics, bottle sorting, and customer delivery, were fully optimized and running smoothly.
• Operational Efficiency: Managed the full scope of daily operations, including the management of owner drivers, customer sales consultants, returns and collections, maintenance of site infrastructure (land, buildings, vehicles, equipment), and stock levels (over R75 million in stock at any given time).
• Team Leadership: Led and motivated a team of over 100 staff and contractors, including 80+ permanent contractors, fostering a culture of accountability, safety, and high performance. Focused on training, succession planning, and performance management to ensure staff development and retention.
• Safety & Compliance: Appointed 16(2) for site, ensuring the facility adhered to all legal, statutory, and regulatory requirements. Led safety initiatives that significantly reduced incidents and maintained a secure working environment.
• Customer & Stakeholder Management: Developed strong relationships with key customers, ensuring timely deliveries and excellent service, leading to improved customer satisfaction and loyalty. Worked closely with sales departments to forecast and plan stock levels, minimizing stockouts and improving operational efficiency.
• Financial & Budget Management: Compiled, controlled, and analyzed operational, abnormal, and Capex budgets, providing detailed monthly reports on activities, variances, and Opex. Successfully met all financial targets, ensuring cost-effective operations.
• Quality & Audit Compliance: Ensured the implementation of rigorous quality control procedures, driving consistent audit compliance and maintaining the highest operational standards.
• Continuous Improvement: Actively identified areas for process improvement, streamlining operations and introducing efficiencies that reduced costs while increasing throughput.
• Ad-Hoc Leadership: Managed various responsibilities, including environmental concerns, community involvement, employee relations, and the maintenance of the site, ensuring all aspects of the operation ran smoothly.

• Oversight of the Pietermaritzburg Distribution Plant: Directed the overall operations of the distribution plant, ensuring smooth and efficient functioning across all areas.
• Cost-Effective Operations Management: Managed key operational areas, including Customer Sales Consultants, the Distribution Administration Centre, full warehouse operations, customer delivery processes, and collect bay operations, while driving cost-efficiency across the board.
• Product Distribution & Operational Efficiency:Ensured that systems and procedures were consistently effective.
  Controlled write-offs and losses within budgetary limits.
  Maintained effective and timely product delivery services.
  Managed the upkeep of assets and delivery vehicles to ensure smooth operations.
  Planned and executed monthly stock counts, ensuring accurate inventory levels.
  Ensured ISO documentation was maintained and applied properly, with full adherence to quality control standards.
  
• Customer Service Excellence:Conducted regular customer visits to maintain relationships and address concerns.
  Managed complaint resolution and ensured service level agreements were consistently met.
  
• Subordinate Management & Development:Established clear standards and goals for each department, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.
  Facilitated on-the-job training, identified ongoing training needs, and implemented succession planning for career development.
  Oversaw recruitment, staff performance appraisals, and the application of proper grievance and disciplinary procedures.
  Chaired disciplinary hearings as needed, maintaining strong relationships and motivation across the team.
  
• Administration & Reporting:Developed the annual Business Plan for the Distribution Centre, including operational and capital budgets for each department.
  Defined capital investment requirements and updated budget forecasts in response to changing business conditions.
  Compiled and analyzed statistical reports, leading monthly meetings to review performance and operational status.
  
• Audit & Compliance:Performed monthly audits and controls to ensure compliance with risk management and quality control policies.
  Managed ISO documentation to maintain compliance standards across the site.
  Provided monthly variance and operational expenditure reports to auditors.
  
• Collaboration with Logistics/Sales: Worked closely with logistics and sales teams to enhance operational efficiency, boost sales, and reduce stockouts.
• Management of Owner Drivers: Administered budgets, payments, and load allocations for owner drivers to ensure smooth delivery operations.
• Health, Safety & Security: Ensured the safety and security of all staff, buildings, and assets, fostering a secure working environment.
• General Management & Ad-Hoc Functions: Took on various general management responsibilities and additional ad-hoc tasks as needed. Appointed 16(2) for the site to ensure full regulatory compliance.

Distillers Corporation merged with Stellenbosch Farmers Winery to form Distell Ltd. Appointed Regional Admin Manager at Distell Limited during April 2001.

• Regional Administration Oversight: Managed the day-to-day operations of the administration department at the New Germany regional office and supervised administrative functions across seven additional plants within the region.
• Supervision of Key Departments: Led and provided oversight to multiple departments, including Purchasing, Admin Clerks, Accounts Payable, Reception, Switchboard, Driver, and Filing departments, ensuring efficient and effective operations.
• Insurance Claims Management: Handled the processing and submission of insurance claims for the entire region, ensuring all claims were accurately recorded and processed in a timely manner.
• General Ledger & Bank Account Management: Maintained the general ledgers for the region, ensuring accuracy and compliance with financial standards. Managed the region’s bank accounts and acted as a signatory for the accounts, ensuring proper financial governance.
• Audits & Controls: Conducted monthly audits and controls, ensuring compliance with company policies and identifying any discrepancies or areas for improvement. Performed plant audits across the region to ensure adherence to operational standards and controls.
• Staff Supervision & Discipline: Provided supervision and leadership to subordinates, including conducting performance appraisals and addressing any disciplinary matters. Chaired disciplinary hearings across the region, ensuring fair and consistent application of company policies.
• Budget Management: Responsible for the compilation and control of budgets for the region, ensuring financial targets were met and effectively managed throughout the year.

• Regional Administration Oversight: Directed daily operations of the administration department at the New Germany regional office while overseeing administrative functions at seven additional plants across the region.
• Departmental Supervision: Led key departments, including Purchasing, Admin Clerks, Accounts Payable, Reception, Switchboard, Drivers, and Filing, ensuring smooth and efficient operations.
• Financial Oversight: Maintained accurate general ledgers for the region and managed bank accounts as the signatory, ensuring financial governance and compliance with standards.
• Audits & Compliance: Conducted monthly audits to ensure adherence to company policies and identify areas for improvement. Performed regular plant audits across the region to uphold operational standards.
• Staff Leadership & Discipline: Supervised staff, including conducting performance appraisals and managing disciplinary actions. Chaired disciplinary hearings to ensure consistent application of company policies across the region.
• Budget Control: Compiled and managed regional budgets, ensuring financial targets were achieved and resources were allocated efficiently.

• Stock Ledger Control: Managed the computerized stock ledgers to ensure accurate reconciliation of physical stock against theoretical stock levels. Conducted monthly stock counts, investigated variances, and prepared variance reports for analysis.
• Excise & Bank Reconciliation: Performed monthly excise reconciliations and bank reconciliations, ensuring accuracy and compliance with financial standards.
• Procurement Management: Oversaw the efficient procurement of goods and services, including negotiating prices, payment terms, and contracts to optimize costs and maintain supplier relationships.

• Purchasing, Warehousing & Distribution Oversight: Managed the overall control of purchasing, warehousing, and distribution functions, ensuring smooth operations and efficient stock management.
• Stock Management: Responsible for ordering, receiving, checking, and controlling stock levels. Conducted monthly stock counts to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Supplier Relations & Negotiations: Conducted supplier interviews, negotiating the best prices, payment terms, and contracts to optimize purchasing processes.
• Purchase Authorization & Budget Control: Authorized all purchases throughout the hospital, ensuring adherence to budget constraints and financial controls.
• Reporting & Control: Provided monthly reports, maintaining strong controls over purchasing and inventory operations.
• Staff Supervision & Industrial Relations: Supervised subordinates and managed all related industrial relations (IR) matters to ensure a well-functioning, motivated team.

• General Administrative Duties: Handled general administrative tasks including processing wages, managing daily banking, and ordering office supplies.
• Support to Store Manager: Assisted the Store Manager with stock counts, inventory management, and procurement of goods.
• Cashier Responsibilities: Performed all cashier-related duties, including cash reconciliation, issuing tickets and coupons to drivers, and processing wage distributions.
• Quotations & Hiring: Provided quotations for hire services, ensuring accurate pricing and effective communication with clients