The fast-paced nature of automotive retail requires efficient logistics and warehouse management to ensure consistent customer satisfaction, says vehicle manufacturer Jetour South Africa logistics and warehouse manager Shaun Riley.

This need can be met through digital transformation, enabling warehouse management teams to implement more efficient and streamlined processes.

Using a combination of real-time performance monitoring, supplier coordination, floor management and strategic digital integration, Riley oversees the end-to-end parts supply chain encompassing importation, inventory control, warehousing and final distribution, along with dealers and service centres across South Africa.

“A typical day starts early at the warehouse, where I make sure that all our systems are running smoothly,” he explains, elaborating that digital tools are crucial in providing the real-time visibility and agility required to make fast, smart decisions.

By integrating digital tools, Jetour’s warehouse can operate processes that are completely paperless. Tasks are triggered and tracked electronically using visual and auditory cues, real-time handheld notifications and digital dashboards that provide clarity on performance and productivity.

“Our warehouse is cleaner, faster and more responsive because it’s digital-first. We use a variety of world-class tools to not just manage, but optimise every part of the operation, from picking and receiving to final dispatch,” Riley says.

Amid South Africa’s competitive automotive landscape, he asserts that this efficiency offers a strategic advantage beyond operational benefits.

“Customers expect reliability and speed. Any delay in parts distribution can affect the service experience and brand reputation. At Jetour, we’ve built a logistics operation that supports the brand promise by delivering on those expectations,” Riley states.

Despite being behind the scenes, Riley acknowledges the impact that his role has on customer experience, explaining that every action in the logistics process feeds into “that moment when a customer gets their car back on time, repaired properly, with no hassle.”

He adds that “Jetour is not just building a brand, we’re building a presence across the continent”.

Riley’s experience spans diverse sectors, ranging from automotive to spearheading logistics in Africa’s e-waste sector, combining his passion for sustainability with “cutting-edge” supply chain strategy, says Jetour.

He has leveraged his experience to help shape the logistics and warehousing ecosystem for the sport utility vehicle brand, which launched in South Africa last September with its Dashing and X70 Plus models.

“At Jetour, I’m combining everything I’ve learned over the years to help build something meaningful and long-lasting. This is my first original-equipment manufacturer role focused on the local market, and it felt like the right fit from day one,” Riley comments.

His role is set to grow significantly as additional Jetour models are scheduled to launch in South Africa later this year, intensifying logistics and warehousing demand.