The South African wine industry has long been a cornerstone of the country’s agricultural sector, renowned for its exquisite wines and vibrant tourism. While the product often steals the limelight, the South African Wine Industry Professional Body (SAWIPB) says behind-the-scenes logistics and distribution arteries are increasingly crucial to the industry’s health.
In recent years, the industry has faced significant challenges in the distribution of wine for various reasons. It is therefore critical for the wine industry to ensure that professionals in these fields are skilled, reskilled and up-skilled.
This is crucial for preventing bottlenecks that could disrupt sales, reduce efficiency, and increase costs. However, a major challenge facing the industry is the shortage of qualified experts in these essential areas.
Addressing the skills gap
To address these challenges, the South African Wine Industry Professional Body (SAWIPB) was established. It aims to develop practitioners and support industry-related entities with key skills development challenges.
According to Ben Jordaan, chief operating and procurement officer of Cape Wine Exporters and chairman of the SAWIPB wine logistics and distribution council, there is a strong demand for certain skills in the wine logistics and distribution sector.
The key roles in high demand include product data processors, internal IT and systems managers who centralise processes, electronic data capturers, and reconciliation officers.
Effective wine logistics depend heavily on accurate and accessible product information. Managing product values, codes, and rotation numbers requires meticulous attention to detail. Additionally, tracking orders, coordinating with warehouses and shipping companies, and reconciling data demands efficient systems and processes.
Jordaan notes, “Managing an order involves numerous steps, from searching and tracking to re-enter and reconciling data across systems. The efficiency of this process is crucial for smooth operations.”
Crucial role of internal IT and systems managers
Internal IT and systems managers play a pivotal role in streamlining these operations. Centralising product information is essential to prevent errors, reduce costs, and improve communication between logistics, sales, and clients.
“Take a simple sales order: did the client receive the invoice? Was it paid? The wine now needs to be transferred between your storage and the client’s preferred warehouse. Has the transfer been instructed and when? Has the wine already landed? What’s the new rotation number? Has your inventory been updated?
“How much back and forth between spreadsheets, unadapted systems and email threads did your team have to accomplish to find the answers to these questions, and how long did it take to get back to your client?” Jordaan said.
For instance, tracking the journey of a sales order from invoice to delivery requires seamless data flow between departments.
Jordaan said that without centralising processes and order information, communication between logistics and other departments is slow. This makes having skilled IT and systems managers crucial to the success of the operation. Reconciliation officers are also crucial, particularly during the stock-landing process, where the biggest bottleneck often occurs causing significant delays and inefficiencies.
Advice from an expert
Growing up in the winelands, Willem Hendricks, owner and trainer at WH Consulting, has over 30 years of experience in the wine industry. He admits that he was initially uncertain about pursuing a career in this field, but he has never regretted his decision. He encourages newcomers to remain open-minded and proactive in their learning.
Hendricks advises, “Seek guidance from the right people and acquire the correct knowledge and information, I see no reason why you cannot succeed in the wine industry. What you put in, you will enjoy the results,” he explained. “I have spent more than 30 years in the industry and am keen to see its future while sharing my knowledge with the younger generation.”
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SAWIPB and training academies
To address the many challenges and skills shortages that exist, SAWIPB, along with industry training academies play a crucial role in educating and empowering the workforce.
These institutions provide specialised training programmes designed to equip newcomers with the skills necessary for a successful career across the various sectors in the wine industry including secondary production, logistics, and distribution sectors.
“SAWIPB has the potential to educate, empower, and equip more workers in the warehousing and logistics sector, through training, awareness, and skills development,” Jordaan said.
He also believes that SAWIPB plays an important role in raising awareness about the opportunities available in the industry, career development opportunities, and promoting diversity and inclusion.
“SAWIPB can also help develop a skilled and qualified workforce and ensure that workers have the necessary skills to perform their jobs effectively, with a clear and better understanding of what is required of them,” Jordaan added.
Want to be affiliated with SAWIPB?
SAWIPB provides a valuable opportunity for various organisations, including employers, service providers, sponsors, and other professional bodies, to support and enhance the skills within the wine industry.
Affiliating with SAWIPB brings several benefits to organisations. They receive support in obtaining grant funding to help develop their employees’ skills. Affiliates also gain access to an online platform that allows them to manage and report on their employees’ learning and development.
This platform makes it easier for SAWIPB to identify and connect employees with available learning opportunities.
Additionally, affiliated organisations can benefit from supervisor and mentorship development programs. They have access to competence assessment frameworks and related learning programmes, ensuring that their employees are well-equipped to meet industry standards.
To find out more on how you can join and be part of the movement, visit www.sawipb.co.za or contact kachne@sawine.co.za and +27 (0)21 276 0450.
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