Junior Operations Assistant

Location: Kenilworth, Cape Town, Western Cape

Work Arrangement: Fully in-office position

A highly organised and detail-oriented Junior Operations Assistant is required to support a commodity trading operations team based in Kenilworth, Cape Town. The successful candidate must have strong logistics and transport coordination experience, excellent attention to detail and the ability to work accurately in a fast-paced operational environment.

Fluency in Afrikaans is essential. Applicants must be able to speak and understand Afrikaans confidently.

This opportunity is suited to a recent graduate or junior operations professional who wants to develop practical experience in commodity trading operations, shipping, logistics, transport coordination, documentation and trade execution support. The successful candidate will work closely with the operations team and various internal and external stakeholders to ensure that shipments, transport arrangements, documentation and operational processes are managed accurately and within the required deadlines.

Key Responsibilities

Support the day-to-day execution of containerised and bulk cargo shipments.
Coordinate logistics and transport arrangements relating to cargo movements and deliveries.
Liaise with transporters, logistics providers, agents, warehouses, surveyors, customers and suppliers.
Monitor shipping schedules, transport movements, stock trackers and delivery timelines.
Follow up proactively on delayed shipments, outstanding deliveries and operational requirements.
Assist with logistics updates, stock reports and operational reporting.
Prepare, check, collate and distribute trade, shipping and transport documentation.
Review operational documents, including inspection reports, assay certificates, weight notes and shipping documents.
Assist with preparing and checking Letters of Credit and contract-related documentation.
Check invoices, supporting documentation and operational cost records.
Maintain accurate filing systems, templates, records and document-control processes.
Ensure that information recorded on spreadsheets and operational trackers is complete and accurate.
Communicate operational updates clearly to internal and external stakeholders.
Provide general administrative and operational support to the wider operations team.
Assist with ensuring that shipments, transport arrangements and operational processes are completed accurately and on time.

Minimum Requirements

Fluent in Afrikaans, with the ability to speak and understand the language confidently.
A relevant tertiary qualification or recent graduate status.
Up to one to two years’ experience in operations, logistics, transport coordination, shipping, freight forwarding, administration or a related environment.
Strong logistics and transport coordination experience.
Experience liaising with transporters, logistics service providers, warehouses or related operational stakeholders.
Strong organisational and administrative skills.
Excellent attention to detail and document accuracy.
Ability to work accurately in a fast-paced operational environment.
Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet strict deadlines.
Ability to follow up proactively on outstanding operational matters.
Comfortable working with spreadsheets, trackers and operational documentation.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Professional and confident when dealing with internal and external stakeholders.
Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.
Strong willingness to learn.
An interest in commodity trading, shipping, logistics and international operations.
Willing and able to work from the office in Kenilworth, Cape Town.

Skills and Personal Attributes

Highly organised and dependable.
Detail-oriented, with a disciplined approach to document accuracy.
Strong logistics and transport coordination ability.
Accurate and methodical when working with operational information.
Positive, flexible and willing to support the wider team.
Calm under pressure.
Able to prioritise tasks effectively.
Proactive and responsible.
Strong follow-up and problem-solving abilities.
Comfortable working in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment.
Eager to learn and develop within an operations career.