store Head

JOB DESCRIPTION
Position: Head – Stores
Industry: Mining – Copper & Cobalt
Experience: 20+ Years
Function: Supply Chain / Materials Management
Department: Stores & Warehouse / Supply Chain
Location: DRC, Africa
Reporting To: Head – Supply Chain / Chief Operating Officer / General Manager
1. Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Head – Stores to lead the complete stores and warehouse
function for a large-scale copper and cobalt mining operation.
The incumbent will be responsible for strategic and operational management of all stores, warehouses,
inventory, materials handling, spare parts, consumables and critical mining equipment components across
mining, processing, maintenance and support operations.
The role requires strong experience in mining stores and inventory management, particularly in
managing high-value and critical spares for HEMM, underground/open-pit mining equipment,
concentrators, crushers, mills, flotation plants, hydrometallurgy, SX-EW, cobalt and copper
processing facilities.
The ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of mining supply chains, inventory optimization,
ERP systems, warehouse controls, stock audits and materials planning.

2. Key Responsibilities
A. Stores & Warehouse Management
Lead the overall Stores and Warehouse operations across mining and processing locations.
Establish and implement best practices for receiving, storage, preservation, issuance and dispatch of
materials.
Ensure proper segregation and storage of critical spares, consumables, chemicals, lubricants,
electrical items, mechanical spares and HEMM components.
Develop warehouse layouts, storage systems and material-handling procedures.
Ensure proper identification, tagging, binning and coding of all materials.
Maintain high standards of housekeeping, safety, security and material preservation.
B. Inventory Management
Develop and implement effective inventory management strategies to optimize stock levels.
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Monitor stock availability, inventory turnover, ageing, slow-moving and non-moving inventory.
Establish appropriate minimum, maximum and reorder levels for critical materials.
Identify obsolete and surplus inventory and develop disposal/utilization plans.
Ensure availability of critical mining and processing spares to avoid production downtime.
Reduce excess inventory while maintaining required operational availability.
C. Mining & Processing Spares
Manage inventory for critical equipment and systems including:
HEMM and mining equipment
Excavators, dump trucks, dozers, graders and loaders
Crushers and conveyors
Grinding mills
Pumps and piping systems
Flotation equipment
Thickeners and filtration systems
SX-EW / hydrometallurgical equipment
Electrical and instrumentation equipment
Workshop and maintenance spares
Develop critical-spares lists in coordination with Maintenance, Mining and Processing teams.
Ensure strategic stocking of long-lead and high-criticality items.
D. ERP & Systems Management
Ensure effective utilization of ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle or equivalent for stores and
inventory management.
Ensure accurate material master creation, coding, classification and standardization.
Maintain accurate stock records and system-to-physical reconciliation.
Implement barcode/QR-code or other digital inventory-control systems where appropriate.
Develop MIS dashboards for inventory, consumption and stock movement.
E. Procurement & Supply Chain Coordination
Coordinate closely with Procurement, Purchase, Logistics, Planning, Maintenance, Mining and
Finance teams.
Provide accurate material consumption and inventory data for procurement planning.
Support procurement teams with technical specifications and historical consumption data.
Monitor incoming materials and ensure timely receipt and inspection.
Coordinate with suppliers and logistics teams for critical and urgent materials.
Develop strategies for local and international sourcing of critical spares.
F. Inventory Control & Audit
Establish robust inventory-control procedures and internal controls.
Conduct regular cycle counts and physical stock verification.
Lead annual and periodic stock audits.
Investigate stock discrepancies and implement corrective actions.
Ensure proper documentation for material receipts, issues, transfers, returns and adjustments.
Maintain strong controls to prevent pilferage, unauthorized issues and inventory losses.
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G. Cost Optimization
Identify opportunities to reduce inventory carrying costs.
Analyze consumption patterns and optimize stock levels.
Promote standardization and rationalization of materials and spare parts.
Identify opportunities for repair, refurbishment and reuse of components.
Reduce obsolete and dead stock through systematic inventory reviews.
H. Team Leadership
Lead and develop a large team of Stores Officers, Warehouse Supervisors, Storekeepers, Inventory
Controllers and support staff.
Establish clear KPIs and performance standards.
Train the team on ERP, inventory controls, safety and warehouse best practices.
Develop succession plans and build internal capabilities.
Ensure adequate manpower planning for 24/7 mining operations where required.
I. Health, Safety & Compliance
Ensure compliance with mining-site safety standards and company HSE policies.
Ensure safe handling and storage of hazardous materials, chemicals, oils and other controlled items.
Implement proper fire prevention, emergency response and warehouse safety procedures.
Ensure compliance with applicable statutory, regulatory and company requirements.

3. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Inventory accuracy and stock reconciliation
Inventory turnover ratio
Reduction in slow-moving and obsolete inventory
Availability of critical spares
Reduction in production downtime due to material shortages
Stock-out frequency
Warehouse operating cost
Material receipt and issue turnaround time
Physical vs. system stock accuracy
Cycle-count compliance
Reduction in inventory carrying cost
Warehouse safety and HSE performance

4. Educational Qualifications
Essential:
Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Materials Management, Logistics, Commerce or a
related discipline.
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Preferred:
MBA / PG Diploma in Supply Chain Management, Materials Management, Logistics or equivalent
qualification.
Professional certifications in Supply Chain / Inventory / Warehouse Management will be an
advantage.

5. Experience
20+ years of overall experience in Stores, Warehouse, Materials Management or Supply Chain.
Significant experience in mining, metals, mineral processing or heavy industrial operations.
Strong experience managing stores for copper, cobalt, gold or other base-metal mining
operations will be preferred.
Experience managing large-scale mining and processing inventories is essential.
Candidates with experience in Africa/DRC mining operations will have an added advantage.
Should have managed large teams and multiple warehouses/stores locations.

6. Essential Skills & Competencies
Strong knowledge of mining stores and inventory management.
Excellent understanding of HEMM and plant maintenance spares.
Strong ERP/SAP knowledge.
Inventory planning and optimization.
Warehouse design and management.
Material coding and standardization.
Vendor and supplier coordination.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent leadership and people-management capabilities.
Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills.
High level of integrity and commercial awareness.
Ability to work in a multicultural and remote mining environment.

7. Preferred Industry Exposure
Candidates from the following industries may be considered:
Copper & Cobalt Mining
Base Metals Mining
Gold Mining
Mineral Processing
Steel & Metals
Cement
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Large-scale Heavy Engineering
EPC / Mining Projects
Mining and mineral-processing experience will be strongly preferred.

8. Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate should be a senior Stores / Materials Management professional with 20+ years of
experience, having managed large inventories and multiple warehouses in a mining or heavy industrial
environment.
The candidate should possess strong exposure to critical mining spares, HEMM parts, processing-plant
spares, inventory optimization, ERP/SAP, warehouse controls and supply-chain coordination, with the
leadership capability to manage a large and geographically distributed Stores function.
Experience in Copper & Cobalt mining operations,