Distribution Manager

LYON BAKERY INC•Hyattesville, MD

9d•$65,000 - $85,000•Onsite

About The Position

Lyon Bakery is seeking a results-driven, analytical Distribution Manager to lead and improve its distribution and fleet operations. The role is responsible for building an efficient, accountable, and scalable distribution model that supports profitability, customer satisfaction, productivity, food safety, and business growth. The manager will evaluate current practices, reduce avoidable costs, improve route and fleet utilization, establish operational standards, and use data to guide decisions and demonstrate measurable results. The position leads the Distribution Department, including a Junior Supervisor, dispatchers, and drivers, and partners with Production, Quality Assurance, Finance, Operations, and senior leadership. It oversees distribution budgeting and cost analysis, route optimization and delivery performance, reporting and continuous improvement, fleet management and safety, team development, and food safety compliance. The successful candidate will balance strategic planning with hands-on operational leadership and help prepare the department to support increased sales and delivery volume. Success will be assessed through measurable progress in distribution costs, delivery reliability and accuracy, route productivity, vehicle utilization, overtime and downtime, budget management, operating procedures, safety and food safety compliance, team performance, and capacity for business growth. Specific targets will be established after an initial assessment of current operations and available data.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience in distribution, logistics, transportation, supply chain, or related operations.
At least 3 years of experience leading teams, supervisors, or complex operational functions.
Demonstrated ability to analyze operating costs, evaluate performance metrics, and implement measurable improvements.
Strong understanding of route efficiency, workforce productivity, capacity planning, fleet utilization, and operational cost control.
Experience developing or monitoring KPIs, budgets, performance reports, or operational dashboards.
Proven ability to identify inefficiencies, solve problems, and lead process-improvement initiatives.
Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and decision-making skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and operational reporting tools.
Ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on operational leadership in a fast-paced environment.
High school diploma or GED.
Ability to meet applicable transportation, driver, safety, and food safety compliance responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

Experience with fleet-management, logistics, ERP, or transportation-management systems.
Experience in high-volume, performance-driven distribution networks such as UPS, FedEx, Amazon Logistics, or similar parcel and last-mile delivery operations.
Experience in retail distribution, wholesale distribution, food distribution, or manufacturing logistics.
Experience in transportation and fleet operations involving multiple vehicles, drivers, routes, and delivery requirements.
Experience in environments where cost per stop, route productivity, labor efficiency, service levels, and continuous improvement are central to success.
Experience in food manufacturing.
Associate or bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field.
Equivalent relevant experience and a demonstrated record of operational achievement may be considered in lieu of the stated education preference.

Responsibilities

Lead and develop the Distribution Department, including the Junior Supervisor, dispatchers, and drivers.
Set a distribution strategy aligned with business objectives, customer commitments, production capacity, and growth plans.
Evaluate distribution practices and implement standardized procedures, clear expectations, and accountability measures.
Develop distribution plans that address changes in demand, delivery volume, geographic coverage, and business expansion.
Partner with senior leadership to recommend data-supported investments, process changes, and cost-saving initiatives.
Analyze distribution expenses, develop and monitor the distribution budget, evaluate spending, and explain variances.
Establish and track cost and performance metrics, including cost per delivery, stop, mile, and route; labor cost; overtime; fuel consumption; and fleet operating costs.
Identify inefficient routes, underutilized vehicles, excess overtime and mileage, avoidable maintenance expenses, and other sources of waste.
Develop cost-benefit analyses and business cases for operational improvements, equipment, technology, and changes to distribution practices; validate savings with Finance and Operations.
Evaluate delivery routes, customer windows, frequency, stop density, mileage, vehicle capacity, and driver schedules; identify opportunities to improve route productivity and balance workloads.
Use delivery data, mapping tools, telematics, and other technology to improve route planning and dispatch decisions.
Set and monitor standards for on-time delivery, accuracy, route completion, driver productivity, and customer service.
Develop contingency plans for breakdowns, staffing shortages, demand changes, traffic disruptions, and urgent customer needs; investigate recurring service failures and address root causes.
Develop dashboards, management reports, and KPI scorecards; review performance regularly, assign action items, and measure improvement.
Use Geotab and applicable Enterprise and Penske platforms to monitor fleet performance, utilization, driver activity, and operating trends.
Evaluate logistics technologies, automation, and AI-enabled tools; benchmark practices and lead root-cause analyses and corrective and preventive actions.
Oversee the van and box-truck fleet, including vehicle safety, reliability, cleanliness, utilization, preventive maintenance, inspections, fuel monitoring, and damage reporting.
Coordinate maintenance and repairs with vendors; analyze downtime, maintenance costs, replacement needs, and vehicle utilization to inform fleet decisions.
Maintain vehicle documentation and applicable transportation, driver, and safety compliance.
Recruit, train, coach, and develop the distribution team; set performance goals and monitor staffing, attendance, scheduling, overtime, productivity, and workforce effectiveness.
Establish procedures for performance reviews, coaching, corrective action, professional development, and training; empower supervisors and dispatchers to take ownership.
Coordinate with Production on schedules, order readiness, delivery capacity, and dispatch priorities.
Work with Quality Assurance and Sanitation on product handling, cleanliness, applicable temperature-control practices, and food safety requirements.
Maintain compliance with applicable FDA FSMA requirements, company food safety programs, and relevant GMP, HACCP, and SQF requirements; ensure training, inspections, records, and documentation are completed.
Support internal and external audits and implement corrective actions when needed.