To apply for the following position please ensure to send the following;

• CV
• Cover letter
• Salary expectations
• Include position title you will be applying for in the subject line to [email protected]

 

1.     THE COMPANY

Established in 2005 by record-breaking polar explorers, husband-and-wife duo Patrick and Robyn Woodhead, White Desert Antarctica operates luxury trips to the interior of Antarctica, flying 36 guests at a time from its home base in Cape Town on a private charter for once-in-a-lifetime experiences including visiting the South Pole, summiting an unclimbed mountain, photographing a colony of 28,000 emperor penguins, climbing, trekking, and exploring ice tunnels.

Operating out of two luxury camps Echo and Whichaway, the company is already recognised as a pioneer in providing breath-taking eco-experiences in a challenging environment. The ambition is to maintain exceptional levels of service and hospitality, particularly the guest facing aspect to always ensure a premium luxury experience. White Desert not only provides tourism but also services the Antarctic science community.

Primary Responsibilities

Please note this is a contract position from 23rd October 2023 to 28^th February 2024.

The role of the Logistics Team in Cape Town is critical to the success of the season in Antarctica. The Logistics Assistant is an important position and the flexibility and breadth of the role reflects the nature of the work undertaken by the team in the Office and Antarctica as a whole. The role is Cape Town & Antarctica based rotating with every flight, working out of the Salt River Warehouse & Wolfs Fang Runway. Travel will also be required between  Cape Town International Airport, Montague Gardens and The Port of Cape Town, Capricorn Park and as required. The Logistics and Catering team work closely together, and the Assistant will also perform tasks on their behalf.

Logistics Assistants perform a wide range of tasks, both physical and desk-based, they may be called on to load an aircraft at the airport in the early hours of the morning or meet inbound cargo in the evening so must have unrestricted access to their own transport. These tasks do not require specific external training; however a can-do attitude, stamina and initiative as well as working knowledge of Microsoft are necessary to learn the role as the season progresses. The Logistics Coordinators will be asked to assist the Catering Manager and Catering Assistant with packing of food for Antarctica and must be able to lift 25kg boxes to waist height on a regular basis. They will also be asked to assist the Client Liaison team with luggage labelling, weighing and transport prior to each flight if necessary.

Tasks during a flight ‘dispatch and return’ cycle may include, packing items into boxes, weighing, labelling and manifesting these items prior to the flight. They will assist the client bags to be weighed, labelled, manifested and screened through the cargo handler. The Coordinator must be confident in hitching trailers and towing with a pick-up, day or night. The Logistics and Catering team will then load the aircraft under instruction from the Aircrew in preparation for departure.

Regular tasking includes, sorting, packing and checking clean laundry for dispatch and used laundry for cleaning, collecting items for Catering and Logistics as well as the Office team, inventory of Logistical supplies and storage areas, keeping the stores and office clean, managing and replenishing stocks of packing materials. A working knowledge of hand tools and power tools would be beneficial. Reverse logistics will be similar but on ice.

The position involves a significant amount of manual work. Operating hours are dictated by suitable weather in Antarctica and flexible work routines are required.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

White Desert Ltd is a South Africa based tourism company providing small scale luxury tours of Antarctica. The position will be rotational, assembling cargo in Cape Town and following the cargo to the Central Store in Antarctica (Wolfs Fang Runway). Assemble reverse logistics cargo and follow that back to Cape Town and to the Warehouse on the return flight.

The Logistics Coordinator must be a resident in Cape Town, have a clean, full driving license, be a South African citizen or have a valid Permit to Work and have unrestricted access to a vehicle in order to get to work as well as a current passport. They will be required to pass an Airport Security course and have no impediments to the security vetting. They must be available to work weekends and out of normal office hours.

Key equipment in use includes the following:

• Bakkie, Trailer, Cold Trailer, Pallet jack, Hand tools, Skidoos, Sleds

KEY ACTIVITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

The Logistics Coordinator will:

• Understand and maintain constant awareness of plant and environmental hazards (including working around vehicles and aircraft, at height and safe lifting) and take steps to minimise exposure to the risks they present.
• Undertake desk based duties, including liaison with suppliers, purchasing and procurement and preparing baggage and cargo manifests and customs clearance documentation in advance of aircraft departure
• Drive vehicles, tow trailers and be competent in hitching and unhitching trailers
• Undertake management and direction of any additional workers hired on a casual basis in order to assist with cargo operations
• Manage stock levels and ensure items are purchased in time for aircraft departure
• Liaise with the aircrew and aircraft handling team in order to load and offload the aircraft safely and timeously
• Liaise with Client Services in order to load and offload passenger baggage safely and timeously
• Have working knowledge of Email, Excel and MS Word
• Work on the understanding that they will be required to attend day or night and at weekends
• Undertake weekly invoice reconciliation alongside the accounting team
• Assist in the development of risk assessments and operational procedures
• Assist the Logistics Manager and Catering Manager with any other tasks

REPORTING AND SUPERVISION

The Logistics Coordinator operates under direction of the Logistics Manager and On Ice Store Manager. They are required to be independent and use initiative to identify requirements, to prioritise their workload and plan out the best way to undertake a task. They require self-discipline, motivation and self-confidence to be able to operate as part of the Logistics team however must be able to take instruction from both the Logistics Manager and the Catering Manager when Cape Town based.

CLIENTS AND BUSINESS CONTACTS

All Logistics personnel will have exposure to White Desert clients. Client exposure requires that all personnel must present and express themselves in professional manner befitting White Desert’s reputation for hospitality. Logistics Assistants will be required to wear White Desert t-shirts/tops and dark trousers/shorts when in contact with Clients and suppliers.

 

SELECTION CRITERIA

Mandatory

1. Self-certify as fit for Logistics service with White Desert Ltd.
2. Demonstrate the range of personal qualities and interpersonal skills necessary to perform as a successful team member within a high pressure and hard working environment

Job Specific Criteria

1. Demonstrated ability to thrive in a working environment that is characterised by its flexibility, dynamic tempo, and demands
2. Relevant working experience or qualifications that can be applied to logistics environments, aerodrome or aviation operations, or high end hospitality services
3. A practical understanding of risk management and the ability to apply sound judgement, in a challenging and dynamic environment
4. Demonstrated ability to work independently
5. Ability to understand and follow technical directions, conduct cargo operations and prepare manifests.
6. Ability to contribute to the development of procedures and techniques
7. Be physically fit enough to perform demanding logistical tasks on a regular basis (a medical is mandatory prior to commencing the role)
8. Willingness and ability to undertake training to acquire skills and qualifications related to the task

 

Please send your CV, cover letter and include position you will be applying for in subject line to [email protected]