Route Controller

At RCL FOODS we see and do things differently, we think bigger, work smarter and as a team collectively working towards achieving our ambition, to Grow What Matters!

RCL FOODS is seeking to appoint a Route Controller to join our Baking Team. The role will be based in (Pretoria Bakery) Krugersdorp Depot and will report into the Depot Controller. The successful incumbents will be responsible for effectively managing the Despatch Function and Driver Salesman, crate stock and Drivers Balances and to support the sales function from a back-end perspective to increase sales within designated routes and responsible for addressing regular operational needs of customers, monitoring and ensuring improved route optimisation and driver efficiency.

Duties & Responsibilities

Responsible for addressing regular operational needs of customers, monitoring and ensuring improved route optimisation and driver efficiency:

• To support the Sales Rep in providing adequate route optimisation and rationalisation solutions
• To ensure our customer needs are met within a viable business framework
• To provide a link between despatch and drivers for a seamless transition of products
• To provide key trade intel and address regular customer service requirements

Ensure efficient and cost effective product distribution

• Ensure driver teams deliver according to mapped and optimised routes
• Ensuring all new and old customers are plotted on the VeZa or existing optimisation system in line with distribution goals
• Ensure orders are geared towards improving truck utilisation and loaves/km

Ensuring balancing of orders placed, delivered and returned

• With sales support team ensure customer order patterns are accurate to deliver a precise bake plan
• Daily monitoring and tracking of returns
• Crafting and actioning plans to drastically improve returns

Managing driver shorts and crate shorts

• Daily monitoring and tracking of driver crates and shorts as per agreed targets
• Crafting and driving innovative ways to reduce these numbers

Submitting frequent (daily) sales figures from drivers

• Ensuring driver teams sales are in line with sales targets
• Sourcing and distribution of key trade intelligence
• Providing actionable plans for improvements and combating competitor activities

Ensuring the capturing and allocation of all customer details

• Ensuring all customer details and classifications are loaded correctly on new accounts and are correctly listed on existing accounts

Ensuring driver competency and delivery time management

• Support, train, discipline and lead the driver & van assistant teams to deliver sales excellence
• Ensure timeous driver dispatch from the bakery with correct invoicing
• Employ efficient route riding system in order to see all customers within each quarter
• Execute driver team performance scorecard to deliver sales excellence i.e., Customer ratings, delivery times, peer review, sales growth, etc.

Trade Price monitoring

• Submission of frequent (at least weekly) price surveys
• Monitoring our RSP’s and executing pricing strategy, policy and mandate

Minimum Requirements

• Matric
• Diploma/Degree in Logistics or Supply Chain Management will be an advantage.
• Valid Driver's License
• SYSPRO experience would be an advantage.
• 3 – 5 years’ experience within the Food Manufacturing environment
• Strong leadership skills
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Target driven
• Computer literate.
• Organized and systems orientated.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Must be a self-starter and have the ability to use own initiative.
• Must be able to communicate with people on all levels.