Distribution Center Department Manager

The Paper Store•Leominster, MA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department Manager is responsible for the daily operations of an assigned distribution center function, ensuring accuracy, productivity, and a safe, positive work environment. This leader sets clear priorities, develops talent, and drives performance through hands on coaching, strong communication, and operational discipline. The Department Manager will lead, coach, and develop a team of Supervisors, Leads and associates to ensure strong departmental performance and engagement. They will conduct performance management, succession planning, leadership development, and ongoing coaching in partnership with HR. This role involves selecting talent from the Paycom Applicant Tracking System, including conducting phone screenings and partnering with the Talent team throughout the full lifecycle recruiting process. The Department Manager will build and sustain a strong culture of communication, accountability, professionalism, reliability, and associate wellbeing, while identifying and developing high potential talent to strengthen leadership pipelines and support future growth. They will create a cross-trained, versatile workforce capable of flexing across functions during peak business periods. The role owns daily and weekly labor planning, staffing models, and workload distribution to meet productivity, quality, cost, and timeliness targets. Ensuring Supervisors execute standard work, operational priorities, and safety protocols consistently and effectively is key. The Department Manager will lead departmental workflow management, ensuring accurate and timely product flow to stores and online customers, and maintain high standards of inventory accuracy through audits, quality checks, and strong process adherence. Monitoring and managing departmental KPIs, driving improvements in throughput, accuracy, cycle time, and operational efficiency is expected. Utilization of warehouse and supply chain tools—including Aptos, WMS platforms, and Microsoft 365—to track production, resolve issues, and support decision making is required. Upholding compliance with OSHA, federal/state regulations, local noise ordinances, and all company policies is essential. Leading continuous improvement initiatives using root cause analysis and driving sustainable corrective actions, as well as developing scalable processes, workflows, and organizational structures that support future growth are key responsibilities. Partnering with corporate teams on operational planning, system enhancements, and strategic cross-functional projects, and participating in resource planning and leadership meetings to support short- and long-term business goals are also part of the role. The Department Manager will lead daily, weekly, and monthly operational meetings with Supervisors and cross-functional partners, and communicate performance updates, risks, and opportunities to the General Manager and executive leadership. Collaboration with Buying Operations, Purchasing, Transportation, and other DC departments to ensure workflow alignment and seamless operations is crucial. Facilitating daily huddles to reinforce goals, expectations, safety messages, and performance priorities, and owning the safety culture for assigned departments by promoting safe work practices, PPE adherence, equipment procedures, and timely incident reporting are vital. Ensuring Supervisors enforce all safety and housekeeping standards, maintaining a clean, organized, and compliant work environment, and safeguarding confidential personnel information, operational plans, and company materials are also required. The role includes executing key management functions such as building opening/closing, incident response, and asset protection oversight, and performing additional duties assigned by senior leadership.

Requirements

Demonstrated success leading teams in a fast paced, deadline-driven environment.
Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
3–5+ years of leadership experience in distribution, warehousing, logistics, or manufacturing, with demonstrated success leading leaders.
Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams and deliver measurable operational results in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
Strong problem solving, communication, planning, and decision-making skills.
High attention to detail and commitment to continuous improvement, safety, and service excellence.
Ability to coach, develop, and inspire teams at all levels.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and warehouse systems (WMS); Aptos experience a plus.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, push/pull up to 100 lbs, climb ladders, and stand/walk up to 6 consecutive hours.
Experience with material handling equipment preferred (forklift, pallet jacks, lifts).
Flexibility to work varied shifts, weekends, and extended hours during seasonal peaks.
Respect for and adherence to local ordinances, including but not limited to noise ordinances limiting the loading, unloading, and operating shipping and delivery trucks to specific time periods each day.
Have a positive attitude and be self-motivated.
5+ years of distribution management experience.
The ability to successfully adapt in a fast-paced environment.
Strong commitment to working collaboratively with all levels within an organization.
Great attention to detail.
Sound judgement, with demonstrated ability to make decisions in the best interest of all parties.
Proven ability to assess and develop the talent and potential of associates and department leaders.
Ability to prioritize and work well under pressure in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment.
Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Computer and database application skills, including Microsoft 365 and Warehouse Management Systems.
Aptos experience a plus.
Availability and willingness to work a flexible schedule around major holidays, including the months of September through December.
Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds and push/pull 75 pounds while using appropriate safety techniques.
Ability to climb up and down ladders.
Ability to stand/walk for 8+ hours.
Ability to commute to the Leominster, MA Distribution Center for every scheduled shift.

Nice To Haves

Aptos experience a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead, coach, and develop a team of Supervisors, Leads and associates to ensure strong departmental performance and engagement.
Conduct performance management, succession planning, leadership development, and ongoing coaching in partnership with HR.
Select talent from the Paycom Applicant Tracking System, including conducting phone screenings and partnering with the Talent team throughout the full lifecycle recruiting process.
Build and sustain a strong culture of communication, accountability, professionalism, reliability, and associate wellbeing.
Identify and develop high potential talent to strengthen leadership pipelines and support future growth.
Create a cross-trained, versatile workforce capable of flexing across functions during peak business periods.
Own daily and weekly labor planning, staffing models, and workload distribution to meet productivity, quality, cost, and timeliness targets.
Ensure Supervisors execute standard work, operational priorities, and safety protocols consistently and effectively.
Lead departmental workflow management, ensuring accurate and timely product flow to stores and online customers.
Maintain high standards of inventory accuracy through audits, quality checks, and strong process adherence.
Monitor and manage departmental KPIs, driving improvements in throughput, accuracy, cycle time, and operational efficiency.
Utilize warehouse and supply chain tools—including Aptos, WMS platforms, and Microsoft 365—to track production, resolve issues, and support decision making.
Uphold compliance with OSHA, federal/state regulations, local noise ordinances, and all company policies.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives using root cause analysis and drive sustainable corrective actions.
Develop scalable processes, workflows, and organizational structures that support future growth.
Partner with corporate teams on operational planning, system enhancements, and strategic cross-functional projects.
Participate in resource planning and leadership meetings to support short- and long-term business goals.
Lead daily, weekly, and monthly operational meetings with Supervisors and cross-functional partners.
Communicate performance updates, risks, and opportunities to the General Manager and executive leadership.
Collaborate closely with Buying Operations, Purchasing, Transportation, and other DC departments to ensure workflow alignment and seamless operations.
Facilitate daily huddles to reinforce goals, expectations, safety messages, and performance priorities.
Own the safety culture for assigned departments by promoting safe work practices, PPE adherence, equipment procedures, and timely incident reporting.
Ensure Supervisors enforce all safety and housekeeping standards, maintaining a clean, organized, and compliant work environment.
Safeguard confidential personnel information, operational plans, and company materials.
Execute key management functions including building opening/closing, incident response, and asset protection oversight.
Perform additional duties assigned by senior leadership.