Stock Assistant at West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC)

Job Objective: 

• The Stock Assistant will support the effective management of warehouse, stores and office stock operations within a telecommunications environment. The role is responsible for assisting with the receipt, inspection, storage, picking, issuing, dispatch and reconciliation of telecoms equipment, consumables and related materials, including items such as network components, customer-premises equipment, cables, routers, spares and accessories. The postholder will help maintain accurate inventory records across NetSuite and other approved systems, ensuring that physical stock movements are captured promptly, discrepancies are escalated, and stock is handled in line with company procedures, audit requirements, health and safety standards, and operational service-level expectations.

Reporting Line: Senior Stock Controller

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Receiving and Unloading:

• Receive and offload incoming deliveries safely, ensuring goods are handled with due care to prevent damage to equipment and associated materials
• Verify all inbound deliveries against purchase orders, delivery notes, packing slips and approved requisitions before accepting stock into the warehouse
• Inspect received items for visible damage, shortages, incorrect specifications, serial-number mismatches or other discrepancies, and escalate exceptions promptly
• Record received stock accurately and timeously in NetSuite and any other approved inventory platform, ensuring serialised and high-value equipment is fully traceable

Storage and Organization:

• Store equipment, spares and materials in designated locations, ensuring appropriate labelling, segregation, accessibility and protection from avoidable damage
• Apply appropriate stock-rotation principles, including first-in, first-out (FIFO), and ensure obsolete, damaged, returned or quarantined items are clearly identified
• Maintain a clean, safe, well-organised and audit-ready stores environment in line with warehouse housekeeping and 5S principles

Picking, Packing and Issuing:

• Pick stock accurately against approved requests, work orders or transfer instructions, verifying item codes, quantities, serial numbers and destination details
• Pack equipment securely for internal issue, field deployment, customer delivery or courier dispatch, using suitable packaging to protect sensitive telecoms assets
• Prepare accurate tags, labels, serial-number records, dispatch documentation and handover documents for equipment stored, issued or transferred through the warehouse

Dispatch, Returns and Logistics Support:

• Assist with issuing, dispatching and transferring stock to requesters, field teams, project teams, suppliers and other approved stakeholders
• Ensure outbound orders are complete, correctly documented and dispatched within agreed timelines to support operational continuity and service delivery
• Coordinate courier collections, delivery bookings and relevant logistics arrangements, ensuring proof-of-dispatch and proof-of-delivery records are retained

Inventory Control and Record Accuracy:

• Support regular cycle counts, spot checks and scheduled stocktakes, ensuring physical counts are accurately captured and reconciled against system records
• Investigate variances by checking stock movements, locations, receiving records, issue notes and system transactions, escalating unresolved discrepancies to the Senior Stock Controller
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date inventory records, including receipts, issues, transfers, returns, RMAs, serial numbers, locations and supporting documentation

Administrative Duties:

• Support general office administration by handling relevant calls, emails, correspondence, deliveries and package distribution in a professional and responsive manner
• Monitor office and warehouse consumables, raise replenishment requests when required, and support cost-conscious usage of supplies
• Assist with meeting, conference and office set-up requirements, including the movement, preparation and return of relevant equipment or supplies
• Liaise effectively with Finance, Operations, Field Services, Procurement, IT, Logistics and other internal teams to support timely stock availability and accurate record-keeping
• Provide practical support to new employees, visitors and internal stakeholders where stock, equipment, office access or administrative assistance is required

Warehouse Compliance, Safety and Continuous Improvement:

• Maintain warehouse housekeeping standards and actively apply 5S principles to promote safety, efficiency, stock visibility and audit readiness
• Comply with company policies, standard operating procedures, health and safety requirements, asset-control processes and audit standards
• Ensure RMAs, returns, faulty items, third-party equipment and quarantine stock are logged, labelled and reported to the Senior Stock Controller for appropriate action
• Tasks may include prolonged sitting, standing, walking, stair climbing, bending, kneeling, reaching, twisting, carrying and lifting materials in accordance with safe manual-handling practices

Minimum Qualifications

• Grade 12 / Matric or an equivalent qualification is required
• A certificate or Diploma in warehousing, inventory management, logistics, supply chain, stores management or a related field would be advantageous
• Ability to perform physical warehouse tasks, including bending, kneeling, stooping, reaching, twisting, carrying materials and lifting stock safely as required
• Strong numerical accuracy, attention to detail and discipline in following documented stock-control procedures
• Basic computer literacy, including confidence using Microsoft Office, inventory systems, ERP platforms, warehouse systems, barcode scanners or similar stock-control tools
• Clear communication skills and the ability to engage professionally with internal teams, suppliers, couriers and other stakeholders
• A valid driving license is desirable

Experience & Skills

• At least 2 years’ relevant experience in stock control, stores, warehousing, logistics, inventory administration or a similar operational support role
• Understanding of warehouse processes, including receiving, binning, picking, packing, dispatch, returns, stocktaking, cycle counts and discrepancy resolution
• Experience capturing stock movements and maintaining accurate records in ERP, inventory or warehouse management systems; experience with NetSuite would be advantageous
• Ability to work independently, follow instructions accurately, prioritise routine tasks and collaborate effectively within a fast-paced operational environment
• Practical problem-solving ability, reliability, accountability and a strong commitment to inventory accuracy, safety, service delivery and continuous improvement