Distribution Center Manager

Winland Foods•San Antonio, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Startup Distribution Center Manager is responsible for launching and leading a new food distribution center supporting finished goods distribution for private-label food products. This role will build warehouse operations from the ground up, including processes, staffing, systems, and safety programs, while ensuring accurate receipt, storage, and coordination of customer pickups for food service and retail customers across the United States. This position requires a highly hands-on leader who thrives in a startup environment, can operate with limited structure, and is comfortable designing, implementing, and improving processes as the operation scales. The Site Distribution Center Manager is responsible for overseeing all warehouse and distribution operations for finished goods, including the receipt, storage, and shipment of private-label food products. This role ensures accurate inventory management, timely coordination of customer pickups and carrier shipments, and compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements while supporting food service and retail customers across the United States.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations, or related field or equivalent experience.
5+ years of experience in warehouse or distribution operations, preferably in food or CPG.
Strong knowledge of warehouse management systems (WMS) and inventory control practices, preferably SAP.
Experience coordinating outbound shipments for food service and retail customers.
Working knowledge of food safety and regulatory requirements.
Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with private-label food products.
Experience managing third-party carriers and customer pickup programs.
Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement experience.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.

Responsibilities

Oversee daily warehouse operations, including shipping, receiving, storage, order staging, inventory control of finished goods, ensuring on time delivery and damage free shipments.
Oversee the efforts to coordinate customer pickups and carrier scheduling for food service and retail customers nationwide.
Ensure on-time, accurate fulfillment of customer orders in alignment with service level agreements (SLAs).
Manage warehouse layout, space utilization, and material flow to maximize efficiency and minimize handling.
Enforce all company policies and plant rules, to include but not limited to problem solving, development & implementation of standard operating procedures.
Recommend measures to improve warehousing methods and performance while adhering to company budget and financial metrics.
Oversee communications and implement effective work schedules for all warehouse activities to ensure optimum operating results, timely inbound receiving to maximize order fill-rate and the timely shipment of customer orders to meet requested delivery date.
Enforce established programs and procedures are developed and designed to achieve operating metric goals in the areas of customer service, productivity, safety, sanitation, inventory control and product damage.
Guides, coaches and develops employees in a worker-friendly team environment that rewards performance with respect and trust.
Administer discipline, corrective action and coaching as needed and in accordance with company policies and guidelines.
Communicate written and oral instructions to work team.
Formulate and recommend improvements and changes within the operation to assist the Warehouse Team to attain all operational goals and standards.
Point of contact for onsite plant warehouse facilities.
Serve as backup and vacation coverage in the absence of the Warehouse Supervisors
Miscellaneous tasks and projects as assigned.
Maintain accurate inventory records through the warehouse management system (WMS).
Conduct cycle counts and physical inventories; investigate and resolve discrepancies.
Monitor inventory levels to support customer demand, minimize shrink, and prevent product expiration.
Ensure compliance with all food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements (FDA, SQF, GMPs, HACCP, etc.).
Maintain proper storage conditions, lot traceability, FIFO/FEFO practices, and product integrity.
Support audits and inspections and ensure corrective actions are completed as required.
Serve as the primary point of contact for coordinating customer pickups and outbound transportation.
Partner with transportation providers, carriers, and internal logistics teams to optimize freight costs and service.
Communicate proactively with customers regarding shipment readiness, delays, or issues.
Lead, train, and develop warehouse team members and supervisors.
Ensure a safe work environment by enforcing safety policies, conducting training, and addressing hazards.
Promote accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement across the distribution center.
Identify and implement process improvements to improve efficiency, accuracy, and cost control.
Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs) such as inventory accuracy, order fulfillment, safety metrics, and on-time shipments.
Collaborate cross-functionally with Production, Quality, Customer Service, and Supply Chain teams.