ENGEN LIMITED – DESPATCH CLERK X9 APPLY NOW

Company: Engen Limited
Position: Despatch Clerk

About Engen Limited

Engen Limited is seeking a capable and customer-focused Despatch Clerk to administer and control the dispatch of packaged lubricants (“Packaged Lubes”) from the Distribution Centre (DDC) to both local and long-distance customers. The role is focused on ensuring that products are dispatched efficiently, customer service levels are maintained, and established processes are followed to help reduce the cost of serving customers. The successful candidate will contribute to ensuring that customers receive their orders OTIF (On Time, In Full).

This position is suited to an individual who is passionate about operations, understands customer requirements, and can work effectively in a fast-paced environment. The successful candidate will need to demonstrate good planning, problem-solving, communication, negotiation, and organisational abilities.

Purpose of the Job

The primary purpose of the Despatch Clerk position is to administer and control the dispatch of packaged lubricants from the DDC to local and long-distance customers. The successful candidate will help optimise customer service levels while ensuring that relevant processes are followed. A key objective is to drive down the cost to serve while maintaining customer satisfaction.

The role therefore combines dispatch administration, transport planning, customer service, operational coordination, and problem-solving. Attention to detail and the ability to manage competing operational requirements will be important in achieving the required service levels.

Key Responsibilities

The Despatch Clerk will be responsible for supporting and controlling the dispatch process for packaged lubricants. The role involves ensuring that products are dispatched appropriately and that customer requirements are understood and addressed.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Administering and controlling the dispatch of packaged lubricants from the Distribution Centre.
• Supporting the dispatch of products to both local and long-distance customers.
• Helping to optimise customer service levels.
• Following established processes designed to improve operational efficiency.
• Supporting efforts to reduce the cost to serve customers.
• Contributing to the delivery of customer orders On Time and In Full (OTIF).
• Understanding customer needs and requirements.
• Assisting with transport planning and scheduling.
• Supporting vehicle planning and unitisation activities.
• Dealing with customer and operational queries.
• Investigating and solving problems that may arise during the dispatch process.
• Working with applicable product handling and loading methods when loading transport vehicles.
• Preparing and writing reports as required.
• Working with relevant warehouse and inventory control processes.
• Loading transport vehicles and working at heights where required.
• Supporting operational requirements that may involve overtime and weekend work.

The role requires the ability to work independently while also demonstrating leadership skills and cooperating effectively with other stakeholders involved in the dispatch and logistics process.

Who You Are

Engen is looking for an individual who can operate effectively in a demanding operational environment and who understands the importance of customer service and reliable product delivery.

The ideal candidate:

• Can think independently and make appropriate decisions within the requirements of the role.
• Demonstrates leadership skills.
• Has the ability to negotiate effectively.
• Can remain productive and focused when working under pressure.
• Has strong planning abilities.
• Can prepare and write reports.
• Is willing and able to work overtime and weekends when required.
• Understands customers’ needs and requirements.
• Is passionate about operations.
• Is able to work at heights.
• Is able to load transport vehicles.
• Can deal effectively with queries.
• Has good problem-solving abilities.

These qualities are important because the position involves balancing customer expectations, dispatch requirements, transport planning, and operational priorities.

Qualifications and Experience

Applicants should meet the baseline requirements specified for the position.

Baseline Requirements

• Grade 11 or Grade 12.
• Knowledge of warehouse management and inventory control.
• In-depth knowledge of the dispatch function.
• Knowledge of transport planning and scheduling.
• At least one year of experience in a dispatching role.
• Above-average computer skills, particularly in:
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Outlook
• Working knowledge of applicable methods for handling and loading products onto trucks.
• Knowledge of customer service.
• Knowledge of vehicle planning and unitisation.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate practical knowledge relevant to dispatch and warehouse operations and should understand the importance of accurate planning and efficient movement of products.

Advantageous Experience and Knowledge

The following experience or knowledge will be advantageous:

• Operational experience using SAP.
• Working knowledge of supply chain logistics.
• Knowledge of the Lube product range.
• Understanding of Engen’s internal policies and procedures.
• Basic knowledge of export operations and documentation.
• Basic knowledge of bulk loading and documentation.

These additional areas of knowledge can support the successful execution of the role and provide a broader understanding of the logistics and operational environment.

Skills and Competencies

The Despatch Clerk position requires a combination of operational, administrative, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills. Strong planning and organisational skills are important for coordinating dispatch activities and supporting transport schedules. Computer proficiency is also required, particularly in Word, Excel, and Outlook.

The successful candidate should be able to communicate effectively, negotiate where necessary, respond to queries, and resolve operational problems. The ability to think independently is important, particularly when circumstances change or when the appropriate course of action is not immediately clear. Customer focus is another important aspect of the role. The Despatch Clerk must understand customer needs and requirements and contribute towards ensuring that customers receive their orders on time and in full.

Work Conditions and Operational Environment

This is an operational role within a Distribution Centre environment. The position involves dispatch activities, warehouse and inventory-related processes, transport planning, and the loading of transport vehicles. The successful candidate must be able to work at heights and must be able to assist with loading transport vehicles.

The role may also require the employee to work overtime and weekends, depending on operational requirements. The position can involve situations where circumstances are uncertain or where the way forward is not immediately clear. Candidates should therefore be comfortable operating effectively in changing or uncertain situations while continuing to focus on customer and operational requirements.

Challenges You May Face

One of the key challenges associated with the role is effectively understanding and applying customer-centricity within an operational environment. The successful candidate will also need to be able to operate effectively when circumstances are uncertain or when the way forward is not immediately clear. This requires independent thinking, problem-solving, planning, and the ability to remain focused on the required outcome.

Employment Equity and Inclusion

Engen’s approved Employment Equity plans and targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. Engen also welcomes applications from people with disabilities. Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to let Engen know how the company can accommodate them so that they can participate in the recruitment process.

Important Application Information

Candidates should ensure that their applications are submitted according to the instructions provided by Engen, including submission to the specified contact person or contact numbers and through the requested method.

Important points for applicants include:

1. The appointment will be made in line with Engen’s Employment Equity Strategy.
2. Applications must be submitted to the contact person or contact numbers provided and in the manner requested.
3. Applications submitted after the closing date will automatically not be considered.
4. Engen does not guarantee that applicants will be invited for an interview or appointed simply because they have submitted an application.
5. Engen reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Applicants should therefore ensure that their applications are complete, accurate, and submitted before the specified closing date.

Apply for the Despatch Clerk Position

If you have the required dispatch experience, warehouse and inventory knowledge, computer skills, and customer-focused approach, the Despatch Clerk position at Engen Limited offers an opportunity to contribute to the effective movement and delivery of packaged lubricants to customers.

The role is particularly suited to someone who is passionate about operations, can work under pressure, understands customer requirements, and is capable of managing dispatch and transport-related responsibilities in a structured operational environment.

Position: Despatch Clerk
Company: Engen Limited
Minimum Education: Grade 11/12
Experience: At least 1 year in a dispatching role
Key areas: Dispatch, warehouse management, inventory control, transport planning, customer service, and logistics
Additional requirements: Ability to work at heights, load transport vehicles, and work overtime and weekends when required.