Distribution Center Manager | Kansas City

Albert Uster Imports•Kansas City, KS

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Albert Uster Imports is seeking a Distribution Center Manager for its Kansas City Warehouse. This role is responsible for overseeing all aspects of warehouse and facility operations, including staffing, shipping, receiving, inventory management, Good Distribution Practices (GDP) compliance, fleet management, and facilities maintenance. The manager will focus on cost reduction through efficiency and innovation, meeting or exceeding budget and performance metrics. The ideal candidate will be proficient in warehouse management and shipping systems, responsible for training DC team members, communicating business changes, and serving as the primary point of contact for problem-solving. This is a working manager position.

Requirements

8 years of equivalent working experience in warehousing, logistics and/or other related fields
Knowledge of modern warehousing techniques including logistics, special handling/storage requirements and shipping alternatives
Ability to lead, motivate and supervise employees
Must have the ability to communicate, both actively, and pro-actively
Ability to establish priorities, work independently and proceed to objectives without supervision
Ability to handle and resolve recurring problems
The ability to lift 50 lbs
Ability to travel domestically as required
Must be willing to work overtime, holidays and weekends as workload dictates

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree
Forklift certification or equivalent experience

Responsibilities

Manage overall warehouse operations to meet company standards, seasonal business demands, and budget targets (labor, freight, supplies), while adhering to the Company’s Good Distribution Program (GDP) and always ensuring audit readiness.
Maintain a secure, clean, safe, and hygienic warehouse, docks, and building perimeter. Ensuring compliance with all governmental regulations, food safety requirements, and company policies.
Conduct regular facility inspections, coordinate corrective maintenance, and oversee preventative maintenance programs for HVAC, refrigeration, pest control, fire prevention, and security systems to protect inventory and company assets.
Ensure all inbound and outbound product transfers are accurately processed, staged, scanned, verified, and shipped within 48 hours of receipt, obtaining approval for any required changes.
Oversee timely receiving of all inbound transfers and purchase orders, ensuring products are scanned, put away, and posted within 6–24 business hours, and that all discrepancies (OS&D, PO issues) are reported per established procedures.
Manage customer returns according to company guidelines and ensure proper disposition.
Implement and maintain Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) programs within the Distribution Center, serving as the local subject matter expert on the Company’s Food Safety Program.
Partner with the Quality Team and participate in annual audits, inspections, and corrective actions as required.
Oversee all inventory activities, including restocking, rotation (FEFO), lot tracking, location accuracy, re-barcoding, cycle counts, and physical inventories to maintain inventory accuracy within established budget guidelines.
Ensure proper storage, protection, and inspection of inventory, identify and report non-conforming, overstocked, or short-stocked products, and coordinate adjustments or disposition (donation or disposal) with Purchasing.
Actively participate in stock level reviews and perform weekly inspections to proactively address inventory issues.
Ensure all customer orders received before cutoff are picked, scanned, packed, labeled, and shipped same day, following proper packaging standards and minimizing shipping errors through training and process controls.
Coordinate closely with Customer Service, common carriers (UPS, FedEx), and LTL carriers (dry and refrigerated) to manage routing, claims, OS&D, pickups, late or mid-day sweeps, and overall shipping performance.
Maintain strong working knowledge of FedEx, UPS, international shipping requirements, and freight carrier systems, schedule daily pickups and proactively communicate volume trends to ensure on-time delivery.
Ensure timely ordering and availability of all warehouse and packaging supplies, including boxes, tape, pallets, dry ice, ice packs, and other warehouse-related materials.
Identify new packaging solutions to improve efficiency or reduce costs and audit packaging vendors, including annual rate shopping.
Ensure fleet vehicles are properly inspected, kept clean, safe, and tracked as required for maintenance and repair.
Manage scheduling and daily operations of the local delivery fleet to support on-time deliveries.
Ensure compliance with DOT driver regulations by maintaining required documentation, including medical certifications, driver logs, and related records.
Recruit, train, schedule, coach, and develop warehouse personnel, fostering teamwork, accountability, and a positive workplace culture aligned with company values.
Evaluate performance, provide documented feedback, conduct staff meetings, and manage disciplinary or termination actions as required.
Ensure employee safety and emergency preparedness by enforcing safety procedures, responding appropriately to workplace incidents, and coordinating emergency or first-aid support when needed.