Applying for the SAB Breweries Jobs 2026

Applying for the SAB Breweries Raw Materials Controller Position (Newlands Brewery)

The role of Raw Materials Controller at SAB Breweries’ Newlands Brewery is a critical supply chain and operations function. It demands a blend of logistical expertise, financial acumen, and strong leadership. To successfully secure this role, an applicant must demonstrate a clear understanding of the brewing process, mastery of supply chain systems, and adherence to high standards of quality and safety.

1. Deconstructing the Raw Materials Controller Role

Before applying, it’s essential to dissect the job description to understand the employer’s expectations fully. This role is a vital link between planning, procurement, production, and finance.

1.1 Core Purpose and Context

The key purpose is to lead and facilitate the Brewing raw materials department to meet production demands while maintaining a safe work environment. This places the role at the intersection of supply chain management and manufacturing operations.

The role operates within SAB’s culture, which values ambition, boldness, resilience, and ownership. Applicants should reflect these values in their application narrative.

1.2 Key Outputs and Responsibilities: The Daily Mandate

The responsibilities can be grouped into four critical areas:

A. Planning and Procurement Management

This is the strategic heart of the role, focusing on ensuring a continuous, cost-effective supply of high-quality materials.

Materials Planning: Leading raw materials planning, forecasting, ordering, and budget control.
Production Alignment: Interpreting and implementing the brewing and production plan to guarantee raw material availability (a just-in-time approach is often crucial here).
Supplier Relations: Managing relationships with suppliers, including payment and effective quality controls.
Information Flow: Providing critical data to regional and divisional planning teams, as well as suppliers.

B. Inventory and System Integrity (SAP/MES Focus)

This area demands a high degree of precision and proficiency with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

Stock Accuracy: Ensuring absolute stock accuracy within SAP (System Applications and Products) and MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems).
Data Integrity: Responsibility for SAP master data accuracy, which is fundamental to reliable planning and reporting.
Compliance: Ensuring MRP (Material Requirements Planning) KPI compliance and conducting thorough materials stock reconciliation audits.
Financial Compliance: Adhering to the PTP (Procure-to-Pay) adherence, managing VIM (Vendor Invoice Management) Queries, and conducting GR/IR (Goods Receipt/Invoice Receipt) follow-up.

C. ⚙️ Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement

SAB utilizes the VPO (Voyager Plant Optimization) framework. The Controller must be actively involved in supporting operational excellence.

VPO Implementation: Assisting with all VPO Pillar Implementation, indicating a commitment to structured continuous improvement.
Problem Solving: Participating in situational and systemic problem-solving.
Loss Minimization: Investigating and minimizing material (transfer) losses, which directly impacts the brewery’s profitability.
Trials: Assisting with new material trials.

D. Leadership and Compliance

This involves managing people, processes, and high standards of safety and quality.

Team Leadership: Direct leadership responsibilities over the brewing raw materials function.
Support Roles: Supporting the DPR (Daily Production Review) Controller and Administrator, as well as training and coaching needs.
Hygiene & Safety: Ensuring Hygiene and Food safety compliance in all areas, which is non-negotiable in the food and beverage industry.
Audit Adherence: Complying with relevant internal and external audit requirements.

2. Essential Minimum Requirements & Ideal Profile

Applicants must meet the foundational criteria, which are non-negotiable checkpoints in the screening process.

2.1 Non-Negotiable Qualifications and Experience

Education: Ideally, a relevant B Degree or National Diploma.
Experience: A minimum of one year of experience in a logistics or procurement environment.
Technical Skills: PC Literacy and relevant SAP experience.
Data Analysis: Good Excel skills for reporting, analysis, and forecasting.

2.2 Highly Advantageous Knowledge

Industry Knowledge: An understanding of the brewing materials (e.g., malt, hops, yeast) and the brewing process itself would be a significant advantage. This shows domain-specific readiness.

2.3 Key Attributes and Competencies: The Soft Skills

These attributes determine success in a high-pressure, detail-oriented role:

Interpersonal & Negotiation Skills: Crucial for managing supplier relationships and cross-functional teams.
Financial Inclination: Required for budget control, loss minimization, and PTP adherence.
Planning & Coordination: The core skill for ensuring material availability across the complex production schedule.
Pressure Management & Detail: Ability to work under pressure with a high concern for detail and correctness (essential for SAP and stock accuracy).
Communication: Ability to communicate effectively at all levels, from the production floor to regional management.
Problem Solving & Analytical Ability: For investigating losses, reconciling stock, and optimizing processes.
Flexibility & Innovation: The capacity to adapt and introduce new, efficient methods.

3. Crafting a High-Impact Application (The CV & Cover Letter)

Your application documents are the first test of your ability to communicate effectively and highlight your relevant experience.

3.1 The Curriculum Vitae (CV) Strategy

The CV must directly mirror the job requirements, using the exact terminology from the description.

CV Section	Strategy Focus	Keywords to Integrate
Professional Summary	A 3-4 line summary highlighting experience in logistics/procurement, SAP proficiency, and a key achievement related to inventory accuracy or cost savings.	Raw Materials Management, Logistics, Procurement, Inventory Control, SAP, PTP, Team Leadership.
Experience	For each relevant role, use action verbs and quantifiable results that match the job outputs.	Lead forecasting, Achieved 99% Stock Accuracy, Managed Supplier contracts, Reduced material losses by $X\%$ , Ensured MRP KPI compliance, Maintained SAP Master Data.
Skills	Separate into Technical and Soft Skills. Ensure SAP is prominently listed.	Technical: SAP (MM/PP/FI modules if applicable), MES, Excel (Advanced/Pivot Tables), ERP Systems. Soft: Negotiation, Problem Solving, Analytical Ability, Leadership, Communication.
Education	Clearly list the B Degree or National Diploma. If applicable, mention any relevant supply chain or logistics certifications.	Logistics Management, Supply Chain, Operations, Relevant National Diploma/B Degree.

3.2 The Tailored Cover Letter

The cover letter is your chance to connect your specific experience to the SAB culture and the role’s unique challenges.

Opening: Start by expressing genuine enthusiasm for the Raw Materials Controller role at Newlands Brewery. State that your background in logistics/procurement and proficiency with SAP align perfectly with the need for precise inventory and materials planning.
Body Paragraph 1 (Logistics/Planning): Discuss your experience in planning and forecasting. Example: “In my previous role, I was responsible for leading materials forecasting, ensuring raw material availability for a high-volume manufacturing line. I successfully managed supplier relationships and consistently met procurement deadlines, minimizing stock-outs and excess inventory.”
Body Paragraph 2 (Systems/Accuracy): Focus on your technical and detail-oriented skills, specifically your SAP knowledge. Example: “I have hands-on experience maintaining SAP master data accuracy and managing the PTP cycle, including GR/IR follow-up. My concern for detail enabled me to lead successful quarterly materials stock reconciliation audits, consistently achieving high inventory accuracy.”
Body Paragraph 3 (Culture/Soft Skills): Address the ‘Key Attributes’ and SAB’s emphasis on continuous improvement and ownership. Example: “My strong financial inclination and problem-solving abilities are suited to investigating and minimizing material transfer losses. I possess the resilience, high energy, and effective communication skills required to lead the raw materials function and contribute to VPO pillar implementation.”
Closing: Reiterate your fit, mention your familiarity with the brewing process (if applicable), and request an interview.

4. Interview Preparation: Anticipating Key Questions

The interview will test your knowledge, behavioral competencies, and cultural fit. Prepare specific, detailed examples using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method.

4.1 Knowledge and Technical Questions

SAP & Inventory: “Walk us through your process for performing a material stock reconciliation audit and ensuring SAP master data integrity.” (Focus on process, controls, and using SAP for accurate reporting.)
Materials Planning: “How do you interpret a production plan to create an accurate raw material forecast and ordering schedule? How do you account for lead time variability?” (Highlight MRP knowledge, planning tools, and risk mitigation.)
PTP Cycle: “Describe your experience with the Procure-to-Pay process, specifically VIM queries and GR/IR resolution.” (Show you understand the financial implications of materials flow.)
Brewing (if applicable): “What are the key raw materials in brewing, and what are common quality challenges a controller might face?” (Demonstrate specific industry knowledge.)

4.2 Behavioral and Situational Questions

Pressure & Detail: “Tell us about a time you had to manage a critical material shortage while working under extreme pressure. What steps did you take, and what was the outcome?” (STAR: Focus on quick thinking, clear communication, and attention to detail.)
Problem Solving & Loss: “Describe a systemic issue that was causing raw material losses in your previous role. How did you investigate and what was the final corrective action?” (STAR: Show analytical ability and root cause analysis.)
Supplier Management: “Give an example of a time you had to negotiate a difficult delivery schedule or a dispute with a key supplier. How did you maintain the relationship while protecting your company’s interests?” (STAR: Highlight negotiation and interpersonal skills.)
Leadership: “How do you provide support, training, and coaching to your team or peers?” (STAR: Focus on mentorship, positive reinforcement, and clear direction.)

4.3 Cultural and Fit Questions

“SAB values ownership. How have you demonstrated ownership and accountability in your previous roles?” (Highlight a time you took the lead on a complex problem or project from start to finish.)
“How do you ensure food safety and hygiene compliance in a materials storage environment?” (Show knowledge of FIFO/FEFO, pest control, and proper storage conditions.)

5. Final Application Checklist

Ensure all elements are finalized before clicking ‘Apply’.

Review: Does your CV use keywords like SAP, MRP, PTP, Logistics, Forecasting, Raw Materials?
Tailoring: Does your cover letter specifically mention the Raw Materials Controller role at Newlands Brewery?
Quantification: Have you used numbers/percentages to describe achievements (e.g., “improved stock accuracy from 95% to 99.5%”)?
Requisition ID: Confirm you are applying to the correct job requisition ID: 30040016.
Platform: Submit your application through the official SAB/AB InBev career portal to ensure it is correctly tracked.

By following this systematic approach—understanding the role’s demands, confirming the technical requirements, and tailoring your narrative to align with SAB’s values and the specific outputs—you will significantly increase your chances of being shortlisted for the Raw Materials Controller position.

Would you like me to draft a sample introductory paragraph for your cover letter, or help you brainstorm an example of a time you achieved high inventory accuracy?