Operations Manager In Training

State Steel Omaha•Richland VII Precinct, NE

10h•Hybrid

About The Position

THE MANAGER-IN-TRAINING (MIT) OPERATIONS IS A DEVELOPMENTAL ROLE DESIGNED TO PREPARE HIGH-POTENTIAL INDIVIDUALS FOR A FUTURE LEADERSHIP POSITION WITHIN OPERATIONS AT STATE STEEL. THIS POSITION PROVIDES HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE ACROSS ALL ASPECTS OF SERVICE CENTER OPERATIONS, INCLUDING WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT, LOGISTICS, SAFETY, INVENTORY CONTROL, AND TEAM LEADERSHIP. THE MIT WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH LEADERSHIP TO GAIN A COMPREHENSIVE UNDERSTANDING OF THE BUSINESS WHILE DEVELOPING THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO LEAD TEAMS, DRIVE EFFICIENCY, AND SUPPORT COMPANY GROWTH.

Requirements

Strong understanding of warehouse, logistics, and manufacturing operations
Proven leadership experience managing teams in a fast-paced environment
Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills
Strong communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally
High level of accountability and ownership

Nice To Haves

Experience in steel distribution or related industry
Knowledge of ERP systems (Metaltraq, SAP, or similar)
Familiarity with inventory control and logistics planning
Experience with production scheduling and order flow management

Responsibilities

Learn and assist with daily operations across warehouses, fabrication, traffic, and driver functions across multiple shifts
Develop and maintain a deep understanding of all operational processes, equipment, and workflows, including cranes, processing equipment, and production lines
Understand and establish clear expectations for productivity, accuracy, and safety across all teams
Support a team-oriented environment focused on customer satisfaction
Shadow Operations Managers and Supervisors throughout the company in effort to gain knowledge and best practices.
Ensure all customer-specific requirements (packaging, delivery, specifications) are understood and consistently met
Collaborate with sales teams to resolve customer issues, delivery challenges, and service concerns
Act as a key escalation point for customer complaints and service-related issues
Partner with other branches and branch managers to fulfill material needs and resolve operational challenges
Identify recurring issues and implement long-term solutions
Coordinate inter-branch inventory movement and priorities
Understand and manage inbound and outbound logistics, including truck routing, rail, and reload operations
Provide support and backup for traffic coordination and scheduling
Ensure efficient truck loading practices, including proper weight distribution and route planning
Coordinate multi-stop delivery considerations to ensure safe and efficient unloading
Oversee inventory accuracy and discrepancy resolution
Investigate and resolve inventory variances, including research into historical transactions and system data
Serve as a key point of contact for inventory-related questions and system inquiries
Maintain strong working knowledge of operational systems (e.g., Metaltraq transitioning to SAP)
Establish standards for order picking, processing, and packaging timelines
Ensure proper workflow coordination between warehouse, fabrication, and shipping
Monitor and manage order prioritization to meet customer deadlines
Oversee processing schedules and ensure alignment with demand
Lead, coach, and develop employees across multiple functional areas
Address performance issues and conduct difficult conversations when necessary
Ensure team members have clear direction and accountability
Act as the primary problem solver for operational challenges
Learn to serve as the central point of contact for operational issues across the organization
Identify inefficiencies and implement process improvements
Lead efforts to resolve complex operational and customer-related challenges
Drive proactive communication and solutions across departments
Approve invoices and support financial oversight within operations
Manage product-specific workflows, including flat roll, plate, and coil processing coordination
Support quality processes and non-fabrication quality concerns when needed
Oversee claims management related to materials and mill issues
Provide backup support across key operational roles (traffic, processing, order entry, etc.)
Coordinate sample processing and testing requirements