Distribution Manager

Borden Dairy Careers•Cleveland, OH

About The Position

Borden Dairy is seeking a people-focused and hands-on Distribution Manager to lead and support the distribution operations at the business unit level. This critical role is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the distribution process—from receiving finished goods from manufacturing to ensuring timely and efficient delivery to customers. The Distribution Manager will drive operational excellence, manage delivery costs, and lead a team of distribution personnel while ensuring compliance, safety, and service standards are consistently met.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field required strongly preferred.
Minimum of 5 years of direct, hands-on distribution management experience in food/beverage, logistics, consumer products, or manufacturing, preferably with a DSD (Direct Store Delivery) model.
Working knowledge of Continuous Improvement methodologies strongly preferred.
Proven ability to lead teams, manage change, and drive operational performance.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex data and make sound business decisions.
Experience with capital and operating budgets, P&L management, DOT compliance, and fleet optimization.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build consensus and foster collaboration across all levels of the organization.
Creative thinker with a track record of implementing innovative solutions to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Nice To Haves

Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Air Brake endorsement preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and support to distribution teams, focusing on route consolidation, profitability, fleet quality, efficiency, and DOT compliance.
Develop and implement effective customer service models that enhance delivery performance and customer satisfaction.
In partnership with the Fleet Manager, oversee fleet operations, including maintenance, replacement planning, capital budgeting, and asset redeployment.
Assist in the preparation and management of capital and operating budgets to align with company goals and standards.
Drive process consistency and cross-functional collaboration using Continuous Improvement methodologies to identify cost-saving and efficiency opportunities.
Build and lead a high-performing distribution team aligned with the company’s vision, goals, and profitability targets.
Foster strong relationships with supply chain leadership and collaborate across departments to meet safety, service, cost, and personnel objectives.
Establish benchmarks and performance targets for distribution operations and personnel.
Maintain a strong understanding of go-to-market strategies, customer needs, manufacturing capabilities, and storage capacities.
Ensure compliance with all company policies, safety regulations, and applicable federal and state laws.
Promote and enforce the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with OSHA standards.
Supports team and organizational goals through additional duties as required.