Distribution Center General Manager of Operations

Genuine Parts Company•Salt Lake City, UT

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The General Manager of Operations leads and directs a distribution center’s management team in a fast-paced environment, with a focus on safety, leadership, operational excellence, problem-solving, and teamwork. The role establishes clear operational objectives and ensures plans are executed, performance and budget goals are achieved, and teams are coordinated across functions. The General Manager fosters a safety-first culture through awareness, training, and accountability, and supports team productivity, growth, and development through inclusive leadership, real-time observation, and constructive feedback. The position has autonomy to test and implement process improvements, optimize workflow, and use metrics, Lean principles, Six Sigma, and root-cause analysis to improve operations. It is accountable for safety and compliance, quality, customer service and on-time delivery, P&L and budget performance, operational effectiveness, and employee engagement, retention, and team culture. The role hires, trains, develops, motivates, and supports salaried and hourly distribution center teams; plans staffing and production; oversees safety, P&L, operational policies, inventory and security controls, and customer service; and works with senior leadership and cross-functional partners on network projects, standardization, innovation, and logistics effectiveness. The position also develops leaders, promotes effective communication and teamwork, and ensures company and HR policies are consistently communicated and followed. The work takes place in a warehouse setting with industrial noise, bright overhead lighting, varying temperatures due to limited climate control, and moving vehicles and equipment. The role requires regular movement, including standing or walking for up to 12 hours, and lifting up to 60 pounds. Powered industrial equipment may be operated after appropriate training.

Requirements

Four-year degree or equivalent experience.
Five years of experience handling inventory or operational tasks.
Five years of management experience in a distribution center or fulfillment center environment.
Demonstrated leadership ability, including the ability to engage and motivate others.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
Good reasoning, conflict-management, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Experience with activity-based performance metrics, process improvement, and Lean thinking, with a track record of delivering high-performing operations.
Working knowledge of OSHA and DOT regulations.
High school diploma or equivalent required.
Experience managing and improving operational P&L performance in distribution management and logistics.
Ability to multitask and make decisions using strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to use computer systems effectively to analyze and drive asset protection and business development.
Ability to build teams, manage conflict, develop personnel for higher levels of responsibility, and delegate.
Unquestioned values, judgment, and integrity.
Ability to see, hear, speak, and write clearly to communicate with employees, customers, and vendors.
Ability to bend, twist, stretch, push, pull, carry, and lift up to 60 pounds.
Ability to stand and/or walk for up to 12 hours.
Ability to operate powered industrial equipment, including walkies, reach trucks, and stand-up equipment, subject to training and safety standards.
Remain alert to audible and visual safety signals and moving equipment in a fast-paced warehouse.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree or comparable experience in a Service Manager or Distribution Center/Warehouse Manager role.
Willingness to relocate for future growth opportunities.

Responsibilities

Hire, train, develop, motivate, and support salaried and hourly distribution center teams.
Develop and monitor production plans and allocate staffing to available work.
Make safe work practices the first priority and ensure associates follow them.
Oversee the distribution center’s P&L and work with salaried managers to maximize productivity and achieve budget targets.
Establish process improvement initiatives that deliver year-over-year improvement and optimize daily operations.
Partner with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to identify and lead distribution center network projects that improve total logistics cost and operational effectiveness.
Collaborate with operational and support leaders across the network to standardize processes, share ideas, and support implementations.
Support operational strategy and innovation to achieve revenue, safety, quality, service, cost, and profitability goals.
Develop leaders to coach, counsel, and motivate associates toward safety, customer service, productivity, and engagement goals.
Ensure communication and teamwork among staff to accomplish department objectives.
Communicate company and HR policies and practices to associates and ensure they are followed consistently.
Monitor operational policies and procedures to ensure efficient delivery-order processing, control damages, errors, and mis-picks, and maintain strong customer service.
Help develop and maintain inventory and security controls to prevent shrinkage and shortages.
Ensure effective communication up, down, and across the business.
Manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with effective communication and thorough follow-through.