Uniform and Gear Coordinator – Cruise Staff Supply Chain Support
OceanGlide Cruises
Available Locations:
Johannesburg, Gauteng
Job Description
Job Summary
OceanGlide Cruises is seeking a detail‑obsessed, service‑oriented Uniform and Gear Coordinator to own the end‑to‑end lifecycle of crew uniforms, protective equipment, and role-specific gear across our global fleet. You will forecast demand, manage suppliers, control inventory levels across shoreside warehouses and ships, and ensure every crew member—onboard and ashore—receives the right kit, in the right size, at the right time. Sitting within the Supply Chain & Logistics function, you’ll partner closely with HR, Shipboard Operations, Procurement, Finance, and Health & Safety to maintain compliance, drive cost efficiencies, and deliver an exceptional crew experience.
Key Responsibilities
- End-to-end inventory management: Plan, purchase, receive, store, and distribute uniforms, PPE, footwear, name badges, and role-specific accessories for all shipboard and selected shoreside roles.
- Forecasting & demand planning: Build rolling forecasts by ship, department, rank, and seasonality (e.g., newbuilds, dry docks, ramp-ups) using historical consumption and headcount plans.
- Sizing & fit programs: Implement and maintain accurate size profiles, coordinate fitting sessions during embarkation/induction, and minimize returns and wastage.
- Supplier & vendor management: Coordinate with approved vendors on lead times, quality, SLAs, sustainability standards, and cost negotiations; monitor OTIF (On-Time In-Full) performance.
- ERP/Systems ownership: Maintain uniform SKUs, BOMs, reorder points, and min/max levels in the ERP/WMS (e.g., SAP/Oracle/Microsoft Dynamics) and ensure data quality and audit readiness.
- Compliance & safety: Ensure all gear meets maritime, health & safety, and brand standards (e.g., SOLAS-compliant gear where necessary, PPE certifications, logo/branding consistency).
- Logistics coordination: Plan consolidated shipments to ships worldwide, optimize freight modes/costs, and coordinate port delivery with port agents and shipboard managers.
- Cost & waste reduction: Track budget vs. actuals, manage refurbishing/recycling programs, and implement initiatives that reduce dead stock and obsolete inventory.
- Process improvement: Standardize issuance, returns, and lifecycle processes; document SOPs and drive continuous improvement and automation.
- Stakeholder communication: Serve as the single point of contact for HR onboarding teams, Shipboard HR/Hotel Directors, and department heads regarding uniform policies, allocations, and timelines.
- Reporting & KPIs: Produce monthly dashboards (stock turns, fill rate, stock-outs, average cost per crew member, OTIF, shrinkage) and present insights to leadership.
Required Skills and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations, Fashion/Apparel Management, or Business Administration (or equivalent experience).
- Strong proficiency with ERP/WMS systems and advanced Excel/Google Sheets (pivot tables, lookups, basic modelling).
- Proven ability to manage multisite/global inventory with complex size/fit matrices and high SKU counts.
- Excellent vendor management, negotiation, and SLA tracking capabilities.
- High attention to detail with a data-driven approach to decision making.
- Strong communication skills to coordinate across shipboard and shoreside stakeholders with different time zones and priorities.
- Understanding of health & safety/PPE standards and basic maritime operational realities (preferred).
Experience
- 3–5 years of experience in supply chain, apparel/uniform coordination, logistics, or inventory management—ideally in hospitality, cruise, aviation, retail, or large-scale service operations.
- Demonstrated history of improving inventory accuracy, reducing costs, and shortening lead times.
- Experience working with global suppliers, freight forwarders, and distribution networks is a plus.
Working Hours
- Standard full-time schedule (typically 40 hours per week), with flexibility to support embarkation days, urgent shipboard needs, and cross-time-zone communication.
- Occasional travel to warehouses, suppliers, and ships (approximately 10–20% depending on operational needs).
- Peak periods may require extended hours to support new ship launches, dry docks, or large crew rotations.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Inventory optimization techniques (ABC analysis, safety stock calculations, EOQ, cycle counts).
- Process documentation & SOP creation to ensure repeatability and compliance.
- Basic cost accounting / budgeting understanding for tracking spend and reporting variances.
- Change management and stakeholder alignment skills to roll out new policies/tools.
- Familiarity with quality control, returns/RMA processes, and sustainability practices (repair, reuse, recycle).
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-variability environment with strict deadlines.
Benefits
- Competitive salary + performance bonus.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance (country-specific).
- Retirement / PF / 401(k) plan options, as applicable.
- Travel perks & discounted cruises for you (and in many cases, family & friends).
- Learning & development budget, certifications, and internal mobility opportunities.
- Paid time off, sick leave, and wellness programs.
- Hybrid/flexible work model where applicable.
Why Join OceanGlide Cruises
- Have a direct, tangible impact on the daily comfort, safety, and brand presentation of thousands of crew members worldwide.
- Work in a global, multicultural environment with unique logistics challenges and opportunities to innovate.
- Be part of a growing fleet that values sustainability, operational excellence, and people-first policies.
- Join a company that encourages ownership, continuous improvement, and career growth across the wider supply chain and operations organization.
How to Apply
- Submit your resume/CV and a short cover letter highlighting relevant supply chain/apparel/logistics experience.
- Include examples of process improvements, cost savings, or inventory accuracy wins you’ve delivered.
- Apply via the OceanGlide Cruises Careers Portal (search for “Uniform and Gear Coordinator – Cruise Staff Supply Chain Support”).
- Shortlisted candidates will undergo:
- A brief screening call
- A case exercise (e.g., demand planning or inventory optimization scenario)
- Panel interviews with Supply Chain, HR/People Operations, and Shipboard Operations stakeholders
- Please reference Req ID: UGC-SCS-##### in your application (or as instructed on the careers portal).
OceanGlide Cruises is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.