Distribution Centre Manager

Role Overview
Devyani International Limited is seeking an experienced Manager Distribution Centre (DC) to lead a multi-temperature DC, supplying frozen, chilled, and ambient products to its QSR restaurant network.
The role is accountable for efficient DC operations, cold chain integrity, inventory accuracy, dispatch accuracy, logistics management, and transporter and 3PL performance, with full compliance to food safety, quality, and statutory standards.

Key Responsibilities

1. DC Operations

• Lead end-to-end DC operations across frozen, chilled, and ambient zones, from receiving and put-away to picking and dispatch.
• Plan daily operations in line with restaurant order cycles, delivery schedules, and cut-off times.
• Plan storage and handling capacities for regular volumes, seasonal peaks, promotions, and new restaurant openings.
• Establish and enforce SOPs and ensure DC infrastructure and equipment are safe and well maintained.

2. Cold Chain Management

• Ensure prescribed temperatures are maintained across storage areas, docks, and delivery vehicles.
• Monitor temperature records and manage excursions through timely escalation, product hold, and disposition with QA.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance of refrigeration systems and power backup.

3. Inventory Control

• Maintain high inventory accuracy through cycle counts, physical verification, and timely reconciliation.
• Enforce FEFO/FIFO, batch, and shelf-life management for all supplies to restaurants.
• Control damages, near-expiry stock, and write-offs, and resolve inventory variances.

4. Dispatch Accuracy & Restaurant Service

• Ensure accurate, on-time, in-full (OTIF) fulfilment of restaurant orders.
• Drive dispatch accuracy through robust picking, checking, and loading controls.
• Resolve restaurant complaints and manage returns through root cause analysis and corrective action.

5. Logistics, Transporter & 3PL Management

• Plan delivery routes and vehicle placement to meet delivery windows at optimum cost.
• Ensure vehicles, especially reefers, meet temperature, hygiene, and documentation standards.
• Manage transporter and 3PL performance against SLAs through periodic reviews and scorecards.
• Validate logistics invoices and drive improvements in cost per case and vehicle utilization.

6. Food Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with FSSAI, food safety management systems, and brand quality standards.
• Maintain hygiene, sanitation, pest control, and product traceability.
• Lead internal, brand, and statutory audits, and ensure timely closure of corrective actions.
• Ensure statutory, fire safety, and workplace safety compliance at the DC.

7. People, Cost & Performance

• Lead and develop the DC team, including 3PL and contract workforce.
• Manage the DC operating budget and drive cost efficiency.
• Publish KPI dashboards and drive continuous improvement and WMS/ERP adoption.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Dispatch Accuracy
• OTIF Delivery to Restaurants
• Inventory Accuracy
• Cold Chain / Temperature Compliance
• Damage, Wastage & Expiry Write-offs
• Transporter & 3PL SLA Adherence
• Logistics & DC Cost per Case
• Food Safety & Audit Scores
• Safety Incidents

Candidate Profile
Education:

• Graduate in any discipline; qualification in Supply Chain, Logistics, or Operations preferred.
• MBA/PGDM in Supply Chain or Operations will be an added advantage.

Experience:

• 8 -12 years in warehousing and distribution, including 3-4 years managing a multi-temperature DC.
• Experience in QSR, food service, FMCG, or frozen foods preferred.
• Proven experience in managing transporters and 3PL partners.
• Working knowledge of WMS/ERP systems and FSSAI requirements.

Key Skills

• DC & Warehouse Operations
• Cold Chain Management
• Inventory Control & FEFO/FIFO
• Dispatch Accuracy & OTIF
• Transportation Management
• 3PL & Transporter Management
• Food Safety & Compliance
• SAP/WMS/ERP/TMS
• Cost Management & MIS
• People Leadership

Preferred Candidate Attributes

• Strong, hands-on operational leadership.
• Sound understanding of multi-temperature supply chains.
• High focus on accuracy, service, and restaurant satisfaction.
• Ability to perform in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Uncompromising commitment to food safety, quality, and compliance.