Full Time Area Operations Director
About The Position
American Welding & Gas Inc. is seeking a dynamic Area Operations Director for the Tennessee & Eastern Kentucky markets. This key leadership role is responsible for the overall operational performance of multiple branch locations and facilities within an assigned region. The Director will provide leadership across distribution, logistics, customer service, safety, and facility operations to ensure consistent service delivery, regulatory compliance, and financial performance. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with deep experience in industrial distribution or manufacturing environments and a proven ability to lead teams, improve processes, and scale operations. American Welding & Gas (AWG) is a family and team member owned company headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, manufacturing and distributing industrial, medical, specialty, and food and beverage gases, as well as providing welding supplies across the United States. With over 800 employees, more than 100 retail locations, and 22 fill plants, AWG prides itself on customer service, expertise, assets, and resources.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Management, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
- 10+ years of progressive operations experience in industrial distribution, manufacturing, or logistics.
- Proficiency in supply chain/inventory management in a B2B organization.
- Strong knowledge of safety regulations, DOT logistics, and distribution operations.
- Proven ability to lead teams, manage budgets, and drive operational improvements.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Willingness to travel regularly within the assigned region
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic and day-to-day operational leadership for multiple branch locations and facilities.
- Ensure consistent execution of AWG operational standards, policies, and best practices.
- Drive operational efficiency, service reliability, and customer satisfaction across the region.
- Champion AWG’s safety-first culture and ensure compliance with OSHA, DOT, EPA, FDA (medical gases), and CGA requirements.
- Lead safety initiatives, audits, incident investigations, and corrective action plans.
- Ensure facilities, fleets, and operations meet all regulatory and company safety standards.
- Oversee packaged gas distribution, including fleet management and route optimization.
- Partner with supply chain teams to ensure inventory accuracy, asset utilization, and product availability.
- Support implementation of technology and process improvements to enhance delivery and warehouse operations.
- Lead, coach, and develop branch managers, operations managers, and frontline supervisors.
- Support recruiting, training, performance management, and succession planning.
- Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
- Manage regional operating budgets, labor costs, and capital expenditures.
- Monitor KPIs related to safety, service levels, productivity, and profitability.
- Identify cost-saving opportunities and operational improvements while maintaining service quality.
- Work closely with sales, production, safety, HR, and finance teams to align operations with business objectives.
- Support integration of newly acquired branches and standardization of operational processes.
- Serve as an escalation point for customer and operational issues requiring senior leadership involvement.
- Other duties as assigned
Benefits
- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
- 401(k) with company match.
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage from day one.
- Life and disability insurance.
- Generous paid time off and paid holidays.
- A supportive, team-oriented culture with opportunities for growth.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Number of Employees
251-500 employees
