Depot & Export Manager

PURPOSE OF JOB

The De Heus Depot & Export Manager is responsible for the strategic and operational management of De Heus-owned depots and the development, growth, and performance of designated export markets (Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe).

The role drives sustainable volume and margin growth locally and internationally by expanding market share, strengthening distribution channels, and ensuring effective stock planning, operational control, and people management within depot structures.

The incumbent is accountable for developing and executing growth strategies, managing commercial and financial risk, coordinating technical support to customers, and ensuring compliance with export and regulatory requirements. This position plays a critical role in advancing De Heus South Africa’s regional footprint and long-term growth strategy across domestic and African markets.
The incumbent is accountable for building a high-performance, disciplined, and compliant depot environment aligned to De Heus values and operational standards.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

Stock Management & Operational Excellence

Manage stock forecasting and order planning in conjunction with the Depot Clerk.
Maintain optimal stock levels to prevent stock-outs and overstocking.
Ensure accurate order processing and delivery coordination.
Maintain compliance with quality and feed safety standards within the De Heus QC framework
Minimise stock losses, write-offs, and operational inefficiencies.

Depot Performance & Growth

Achieve annual volume and margin targets.
Drive depot market share growth within defined territories.
Develop and implement regional growth strategies.
Monitor competitor activity and adjust strategies accordingly.
Manage rent contract negotiations where applicable.

People Management & Leadership

Direct management of the Depot Clerk.
Set clear performance objectives and conduct regular reviews.
Ensure administrative accuracy and reporting discipline.
Ensure adherence to company policies and procedures.

Customer Technical Support

Work closely with Product Managers and Technical Advisors to deliver value-added solutions to depot customers.
Drive customer education and product knowledge within depot markets.
Implement annual training plans for the export market.
Support reseller sales teams with commercial training on positioning, pricing, and value selling.
Strengthen understanding of De Heus feeding programs and technical differentiators.
Drive brand credibility through education rather than price competition.

Export Market Growth & Commercial Performance

Achieve agreed annual export volume and margin targets.
Develop country-specific growth strategies.
Expand customer base and distribution footprint.
Identify new market opportunities.
Monitor competitor activity
Ensure country-level profitability

Export Relationship Management

Maintain strategic relationships with key distributors and customers.
Conduct regular market visits and performance reviews.
Implement structured business plans with export partners.
Ensure partners align with De Heus brand standards.
Resolve commercial and operational issues proactively.

Export Market Intelligence

Monitor political, economic, and regulatory developments in Export markets
Report on currency volatility and risk exposure.
Identify early warning signals in high-risk markets.

Reporting

To ensure that various key performance reports are accurately updated in accordance with company procedures.

Administration and Human Resources

Ensure competent staff employed within the De Heus Depot structure
Ensure that staff has the required skill levels on all areas.
Setting clear performance objectives aligned to depot KPAs.
Health, Safety & Compliance Oversight for De Heus Depots
Leadership and direction to the staff reporting into this position ensuring that they implement policies and plans in accordance with the company’s strategy.
Facilitate a positive work environment with motivated and committed staff working together as a team within the company’s Behavioural Values and Powering Progress Pillars
Responsible for maintaining discipline and ensuring that disciplinary steps are implemented in conjunction with Head Office.
To ensure that regular staff meetings are held, and minutes are kept.
Ensure that overtime / leave exc log sheets are completed, signed and submitted on time to HR

Standard Company Principles

Continually striving to improve through teamwork with other employees all related aspects of De Heus (Pty) Ltd business.
Using objective measurement, identifying problems within the company, and subsequently identifying the “root cause” of problems.
Ensuring always that corrective actions taken to resolve problems are, ultimately, permanent and preventative.
Assisting, wherever possible, to ensure that all actions, functions, and processes in De Heus’s business are conducted in a value-added manner.
Complying, in line with the Policy Document, departmental procedures and practices.
Ensuring that any subordinates reporting to you are effectively communicated with regards to their responsibilities and authorities.
Control of any company expenditure, which may be entrusted to you, in line with the overall company budget.
To comply with any other work-related instruction which is relayed via a superior and which is deemed to be necessary and reasonable.
The duties and responsibilities in this job description may be revised from time to time, by agreement, in line with the company’s overall Policy Documents and operational requirements.
The company expects the employee to carry out his/her duties and responsibilities to the best of their ability and commits itself to empower the employee with the authority to meet these requirements.

Knowledge, Qualifications & Experience

Matriculated
Tertiary qualification in Agribusiness, Agriculture, Animal Nutrition, or Business Management
Possession of a valid code 08/EB driver’s license
Legal passport
Minimum 3 years’ experience in agribusiness, animal feed, or agricultural trading
Proven record of successfully managing groups of people
Proven experience in export market development and dealer network management
Strong understanding of cross-border trade, export logistics, and regulatory requirements
Working knowledge with MS Excel, Word and Outlook
Sound understanding of basic animal nutrition principles.
Knowledge of feed ingredients and their functional roles.
Understanding of different production systems (broiler, layer, dairy, beef, sheep, swine where applicable).
Ability to interpret feeding programs and performance indicators.

Skills

Strategic thinking & Problem Solving
Commercial & Financial Skills
Cross-border export competency,
Export & Regulatory Knowledge
Operational & Planning Skills
Leadership & People Management Skills
Strategic & Market Development Skills
Technical & Industry Understanding
Quality Awareness
Systems & Technology Skill
Communication & Negotiation Skills
Attention to detail

Behaviours

Ownership & Accountability
Structured & Detail-Oriented
Integrity & Ethical Conduct especially in African Market mindset
Positive, proactive, result-driven attitude
Innovation for market growth opportunities
Committed, dedicated, motivated
High Energy, drive, courage, and tenacity
Ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision
Ability to meet deadlines

Adverse Working Conditions

Working after hours
Extensive Travel Requirements
Political & Economic Instability Exposure
High Pressure Environment
Physical & Environmental Conditions

Applicants must submit a comprehensive CV, with work-related references to hrsa@deheus.com

Closing date: 02 March 2026

Please note that only applicants who meet the stipulated minimum requirements will be considered. If you have not been contacted within 2 weeks of the closing date, kindly consider your application unsuccessful. De Heus reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised.

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