Job Description
Assistant Manager – Trade Asset & Technical Support
Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (CCS), the producer of Elephant House beverages and frozen desserts, stands as a prominent consumer food enterprise in Sri Lanka. Operating as a branch of John Keells Holdings PLC, CCS is currently recruiting a proactive and meticulous expert for the position of Assistant Manager – Trade Asset & Technical Support. This function involves comprehensive oversight of corporate equipment (refrigerators and freezers), technical upkeep, and specialized assistance to maximize usage while reducing equipment failures. You will serve as the exclusive representative to Group Sourcing for the procurement and placement of equipment, acting as the lead contact for vendors and maintenance contractors regarding asset administration.
Job Responsibilities:
- Work together with Group Sourcing to negotiate superior terms for equipment acquisitions.
- Track the usage of assets and deliver practical observations to the Commercial and Branding departments.
- Sync with the Sales and Retail Marketing divisions to ensure the prompt and total installation of equipment.
- Direct the staff in preserving precise manual and digital logs of asset positioning, contracts, and relocations.
- Lead the team in supervising technical maintenance workflows, guaranteeing rapid reactions to malfunctions and limiting revenue deficits.
- Refine assigned financial plans by upholding efficient pricing schedules for replacement components and service projections.
- Supervise the discarding of retired equipment with appropriate paperwork and authorizations.
- Instruct technical crews on refrigerator overhauls, post-mix machinery tasks, and various engineering functions.
- Manage the department to ensure vendor and service technician settlements are processed punctually after validation.
Person Specifications:
- Undergraduate degree from a recognized organization in Finance or a corresponding discipline.
- Three to five years of professional background in Finance, Auditing, or Commercial Operations; familiarity with ERP platforms and engineering workflows is beneficial.
- Superior verbal, relational, managerial, and bargaining capabilities.
- Capacity to handle extended work schedules, organize time efficiently, and reach logical conclusions.
Job Data Table
| Category | Details |
| Company Name | Elephant House (Ceylon Cold Stores PLC) |
| Location | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Locality | Colombo |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| City | Colombo |
| Region | Western Province |
| Job Type | Full-time |
| Salaries | Not Specified |
| Experience Level | 3–5 years |
| Travel | Not Specified |
| Language | Not Specified |
| Benefits | Not Specified |
Skills & Competency Table
| Skill / Competency | Proficiency Level |
| Asset Management (Coolers & Freezers) | Expert |
| Financial Auditing & Budgeting | Advanced |
| ERP Systems | Intermediate / Preferred |
| Negotiation & Sourcing | Advanced |
| Technical Support Management | Advanced |
| Leadership & Team Guidance | Advanced |
Job Summary
This role manages the lifecycle of company-owned assets like coolers and freezers for Elephant House. The Assistant Manager coordinates with Group Sourcing for procurement, oversees technical maintenance to minimize sales loss, and ensures financial compliance. It requires a finance-oriented background combined with the ability to lead technical service teams effectively.
FAQs
What is the primary focus of this role?
The role focuses on managing company-owned trade assets, ensuring they are properly maintained, utilized, and technically supported to prevent sales interruptions.
What educational background is required?
A degree in Finance or a related field from a reputable institute is required.
How much experience is needed?
Candidates should have 3 to 5 years of experience in Finance, Audit, or Sales Operations.
Who are the main internal stakeholders?
You will work closely with Group Sourcing, Sales, Marketing, and Trade Marketing teams.
Are there specific technical skills mentioned?
While a finance degree is required, exposure to ERP systems and technical operations (like cooler refurbishments) is a significant advantage.
Expert Analysis
This position is unique as it blends financial oversight with technical operations management. Within the FMCG sector, trade assets are high-value investments; therefore, the emphasis on audit experience and “optimal rate cards” indicates a strong focus on cost control and ROI alongside traditional maintenance management.
Location & Logistics Guide
The position is based in Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka and the primary hub for John Keells Holdings subsidiaries. The role likely involves travel to various distribution points and retail locations within the city and surrounding areas to verify asset placement and maintenance standards.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colombo
Career Path
Successful performance in this role can lead to a Manager – Trade Assets position or a move into specialized Supply Chain Management. Given the John Keells Holdings link, one could also transition into broader Group Sourcing roles or Sales Operations leadership within the conglomerate’s diverse food and beverage portfolio.
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