Supply Chain Manager

~ A rare opportunity to join the team at Balter. Work hard, have fun. With enjoyment.

More than just a name, BALTER is the sense of enjoyment you get from doing something you love, just for the thrill of it.

Balter Brewing is a proud craft brewery based in Currumbin, QLD. Since launching in 2016, we're known for our award-winning beers and laid-back coastal culture.

At Balter, we believe that good beer is best enjoyed with good mates, and we bring that ethos into everything we do from brewing to business.

Our Supply Chain team are looking for a new permanent full-time Supply Chain Manager.

Reporting to the Head of Supply Chain, you will oversee the national transport and warehouse operations for Balter, ensuring efficient logistics, cost control, and high levels of customer service.

You will manage an annual spend of $10 million, and are responsible for optimizing distribution and inventory practices, while maintaining strict adherence to safety and Chain of Responsibility (COR) requirements.

The position manages third-party logistics (3PL) providers, the Currumbin warehouse team (Warehouse Manager with 6 staff), and the customer service team (Customer Supply Manager with 2 staff), with key performance indicators focused on budget adherence, service quality, and inventory accuracy.

The role works closely with the Supply Planning Manager, Brewery Manager, and Senior leadership, as well as FEV head office, to align logistics and customer service strategies with Balter's operational goals.

Key Responsibilities:

National Transport and Warehousing Management

• Strategy: Lead the transport & warehousing roadmap to lift customer service (OTIF/DIFOT), reduce cost-to-serve, and improve inventory freshness/accuracy.
• Oversee national transport and warehousing operations, focusing on cost-effective logistics solutions and responsible spend management.
• Manage relationships with third-party logistics (3PL) providers, ensuring contract adherence and alignment with Balter's performance and safety expectations.
• Coordinate with the Currumbin warehouse team to manage daily operations, including receiving, storage, and distribution, with a focus on efficiency and safety.

Customer Service Oversight

• Lead the Customer Service team to ensure responsive, high-quality support that meets customer satisfaction goals.
• Coordinate with the Customer Supply Manager to establish and monitor customer service KPIs, such as order accuracy, response times, and issue resolution.
• Monitor service levels and sales performance of SKUs distributed through the Asahi network, ensuring alignment with Balter's sales objectives and customer expectations.
• Serve as an escalation point for customer service issues, ensuring timely and effective solutions.

Budget Management and Cost Control

• Strategy: Run a rolling cost-to-serve program (network design, rate-card optimisation, make/buy, VA/lean pipeline) to deliver year-on-year savings without sacrificing service.
• Manage the $10 million logistics and customer service budget, identifying and implementing cost-saving measures.
• Track and report on expenses related to transport, warehousing, and customer service, ensuring budgetary alignment.
• Continuously evaluate logistics and customer service processes to improve cost-effectiveness and budget control.

Inventory Management and Accuracy

• Strategy: Deliver an inventory accuracy and working-capital plan (target DOH, cycle-count program, shrink/SLOB reduction, freshness standards)
• Ensure accurate inventory tracking and management within the warehouse, working with 3PLs to maintain stock accuracy and availability.
• Monitor and report on inventory levels, turnover rates, and discrepancies, implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Collaborate with the Supply Planning Manager to align inventory levels with demand forecasts, minimizing stockouts and excess inventory.

Safety and Chain of Responsibility (COR) Compliance

• Strategy: Implement a COR & safety improvement plan (competency training cadence, audit schedule, leading indicators and near-miss reduction)
• Ensure all logistics activities comply with safety standards and COR requirements, fostering a culture of responsibility and accountability.
• Collaborate with transport providers to enforce COR compliance, ensuring that all parties in the supply chain meet legal and safety obligations.
• Oversee training and implementation of safety protocols within the warehouse and transport operations, emphasizing risk management and accident prevention.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Strategy: Integrate plan-to-fulfil processes across Balter/FEV (single order-to-cash experience) and strengthen system handshakes (NetSuite CartonCloud/SAP).
• Work closely with the Supply Planning Manager, Brewery Manager, and senior leadership to coordinate logistics and support end-to-end supply chain effectiveness.
• Collaborate with FEV head office to align logistics and customer service initiatives with broader company objectives and strategies.
• Communicate regularly with cross-functional teams, providing updates on logistics performance, customer service metrics, and improvement initiatives.

KPI Management and Reporting

• Strategy: Build a supply chain scorecard & governance rhythm (monthly ops reviews, QBRs, continuous-improvement funnel) tied to targets
• Establish, track, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) for cost, service quality, safety compliance, and inventory accuracy.
• Provide regular updates and reports to senior management on logistics performance, budget adherence, and customer service outcomes.
• Identify trends and recommend actions to improve KPI performance and meet operational goals.

The Ideal Candidate:

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

Skills & Experience

• 7+ years of experience in logistics and customer service management, ideally within a national or multi-site distribution setting.
• Proven experience managing 3PL relationships and overseeing warehouse operations, with a strong emphasis on safety and COR compliance.
• Strong budget management skills, with experience managing significant spend and implementing cost-control measures.
• Strong planning or demand planning experience highly desired.
• Excellent leadership skills, with experience managing both warehouse and customer service teams.
• Strong collaboration and communication abilities, with experience working cross-functionally.
• Proficiency in logistics and inventory management software. Netsuite, Carton Cloud, SAP.