Distribution Operations Manager
About The Position
The Operations Shift Manager leads daily distribution center operations for pet food and accessories, overseeing receiving, warehousing, shipping, delivery, and direct-to-consumer activities. The role is accountable for safe, accurate, efficient, and cost-effective operations, full P&L expenses, established KPIs, inventory control, quality, compliance, facility oversight, and customer service requirements. This is a hands-on, visible leadership position responsible for managing exempt and non-exempt administrative, warehouse, and delivery employees. The manager oversees hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, coaching, performance management, discipline, timekeeping, incentives, attendance, and performance documentation, while partnering with HR on employee relations matters. The manager builds a safe, productive, accountable, and engaged workplace; drives continuous improvement; develops operational plans for growth and stability; partners across departments on budgets, cost control, projects, and performance; and manages vendor, freight carrier, facility, equipment, and fleet matters. The stated schedule is Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in distribution and transportation management.
- 7+ years of progressive distribution operations leadership in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
- Experience overseeing fulfillment, delivery, safety, inventory control, and employee development.
- Strong financial acumen with P&L responsibility.
- Confident, clear communication skills and the ability to connect at all levels.
- Hands-on, high-energy leadership style with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Deep knowledge of warehouse operations and OSHA/DOT compliance.
- Experience with WMS and RF technology.
- Advanced Excel and strong MS Office skills.
- Strong work ethic, attention to detail, and a roll-up-your-sleeves mentality.
Responsibilities
- Lead distribution center activities, including receiving, warehousing, shipping, delivery, and direct-to-consumer operations.
- Ensure operations are accurate, efficient, and cost-effective; maintain full P&L expense responsibility and meet established KPIs.
- Manage exempt and non-exempt administrative, warehouse, and delivery employees.
- Oversee hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, coaching, performance management, and discipline.
- Conduct onboarding and 30-60-90 day reviews, ongoing coaching, and annual evaluations.
- Review and approve timekeeping, incentives, attendance tracking, and performance documentation.
- Partner with HR on employee relations matters, including safety incidents, compliance issues, and employee concerns.
- Promote a safe, productive, engaged workplace and reinforce accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement.
- Analyze operations, identify root causes, and implement improvements to safety, service, cost, and efficiency.
- Lead implementation of new processes, systems, tools, and training programs.
- Develop and execute long-term operational plans for growth, efficiency, and leadership continuity.
- Partner with Warehouse Managers, Supervisors, Transportation, Finance, and other departments to meet site and company goals.
- Own key projects and mobilize teams to deliver results.
- Partner with Finance to develop budgets and cost-control strategies and achieve monthly and annual budget targets.
- Track and meet KPIs, including fill rate, on-time delivery, inventory accuracy, retention, and turnover.
- Maintain inventory control across Central Pet, Hill’s, and Direct-to-Consumer product lines.
- Meet Direct-to-Consumer SLAs and customer requirements.
- Ensure compliance with OSHA, DOT, AIB, GDPs, and applicable regulations.
- Maintain quality systems, inventory audits, cycle counts, physical inventories, and mock recoveries when required.
- Lead the site Safety Committee, quarterly meetings, and facility inspections; help ensure the safety of employees, vendors, and visitors.
- Negotiate and manage vendor and freight carrier relationships.
- Oversee facility maintenance, material handling equipment, and the vehicle fleet.
- Recommend and support capital improvement initiatives.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
