MHE Champion

takealot.com, South Africa's leading online retailer, is looking for a highly talented MHE (Material Handling Equipment) Champion to join our team in Cape Town.

We are a young, dynamic, hyper growth company looking for smart, creative, hard-working people with integrity to join us. We offer a market related, Total Remuneration Package which allows full flexibility according to your needs, a great work environment and a promise that you won’t be bored as long as you are prepared for a challenge and want to build something great.

This position reports to the DC Manager / Operations Supervisor

Purpose of the role: 

• The MHE Champion is responsible for driving safe, efficient, and compliant use of Material Handling Equipment across the DC. They act as the go-to expert for forklifts, reach trucks, pallet jacks, stackers, and other MHE, ensuring uptime, safety standards, and operator competency.

Your responsibilities will include:

Safety & Compliance

• Lead daily pre-start checks and ensure all MHE is compliant with OSHA/OHS standards and company policy
• Conduct safety observations, toolbox talks, and incident investigations related to MHE
• Enforce PPE and safe operating procedures. Stop unsafe acts immediately

Training & Coaching

• Train and assess new and existing MHE operators. Maintain training records and license validity
• Coach operators on efficient handling techniques to reduce product damage and cycle time
• Run refresher training and re-certifications.

Equipment Performance

• Liaise with maintenance/3PL vendors on breakdowns,PM schedules, and repairs
• Track MHE utilization, damage rates, and downtime Identify trends and recommend improvements
• Ensure battery charging, fueling, and housekeeping standards are met

Process Improvement

• Analyze MHE-related KPIs: travel time, picks/hr, damage %, downtime
• Propose layout, process, or equipment changes to improve flow and reduce bottlenecks
• Champion 5S and lean practices in MHE areas

Qualification & Experience:

• Certifications: Valid MHE license for forklift, reach truck, and other equipment used on site
• Grade 12
• Experience: 2+ years operating MHE in a DC/warehouse
• 1+ year in a training/supervisory role preferred
• Safety-first mindset, assertive, analytical, hands-on, able to work shifts

Attributes Required:

• Skills: Strong knowledge of DC operations, WMS basics, risk assessment, and adult training techniques
• Good communication and coaching skills.

The Environment: 

• takealot.com employees are entrepreneurial and dynamic, smart, customer- centric, fun and have the shared ambition of takealot.com being the leading e- commerce company in Africa. 
• We have fun, work hard, take ownership, work in teams to create solutions, and are always open to direct feedback/new ideas on where we can improve. 
• We are short on ego and high on output. 
• We are doers and not only thinkers, its all in the execution after all. 
• We love what we do and what we are creating.
• We seek to employ an Extra Ordinary Mind who is Smart, has Integrity, and is Hardworking. 

If you meet the above you are an Extraordinary Mind so come and join us! 

Takealot Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applicants from the previously disadvantaged groups and people with disabilities, to apply.