Operations Manager (Warehouse) - Food Distribution
hace 2 días
Philadelphia
Position Summary The Operations Manager (Warehouse) is responsible for leading day-to-day warehouse execution in a high-volume food distribution environment. This role ensures safe, accurate, and efficient performance across receiving, put away, replenishment, inventory control, pick/pack, shipping, returns, and sanitation, with strict adherence to food handling and compliance standards. The Operations Manager is a hands-on floor leader who drives pick path optimization, slotting discipline, labor planning, and operational accountability, while maintaining strong administrative control through reporting, audits, SOP enforcement, and team development. Transportation coordination is included as a supporting function to ensure warehouse readiness for routes and delivery requirements. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Warehouse Operations Leadership (Primary) • Direct daily warehouse operations including receiving, putaway, replenishment, picking, shipping, returns processing, and sanitation., • Execute daily labor planning: assign work, adjust staffing, remove constraints, and ensure coverage to meet shipping commitments., • Maintain strong dock execution: scheduling readiness, staging standards, trailer prioritization, and loading accuracy., • Ensure consistent SOP adherence, proper material handling, and disciplined location management. Food Distribution Compliance and Cold Chain Discipline • Enforce food distribution best practices including HACCP-aligned handling, sanitation standards, allergen controls, FIFO/FEFO rotation, date/lot traceability, and product segregation., • Maintain audit-ready standards across the facility (clean zones, labeled locations, proper storage conditions, documented processes)., • Escalate and correct risks related to temperature control, product integrity, contamination prevention, or sanitation deficiencies. Pick Path Optimization, Slotting, and Throughput Improvement • Optimize pick paths to reduce travel time, improve productivity, and minimize congestion., • Own slotting standards: maintain pick-face integrity, improve velocity placement, and reduce replenishment disruption., • Improve replenishment timing and triggers to keep pick faces full and reduce shorts, substitutions, and missed orders., • Drive continuous improvement initiatives that increase throughput and reduce rework (mis-picks, re-picks, damages, and exceptions). Inventory Control and Accuracy • Lead cycle count programs and inventory integrity processes; ensure accurate system transactions and location accuracy., • Investigate inventory variances and implement corrective actions related to receiving errors, mis-picks, damages, expiration/write-offs, and returns., • Maintain controls around adjustments, quarantines/holds, damages, and returns disposition. Shipping Accuracy and Customer Service Support • Ensure order accuracy, completeness, correct labeling, proper pallet build standards, and shipment readiness., • Own exception management for shorts, damages, OS&D, returns, and customer issues requiring warehouse action., • Maintain high standards for staging, verification, and load-out discipline. Leadership, Training, and Accountability • Lead supervisors/leads and hourly associates through clear expectations, daily coaching, and performance management., • Ensure training completion and reinforcement for safety, equipment operation, SOPs, sanitation, and systems., • Support hiring needs, onboarding, cross-training, and succession planning within the operation. Safety and Facility Standards • Enforce OSHA standards and facility safety requirements including PPE compliance, equipment inspections, near-miss reporting, and incident response., • Maintain safe traffic flow and safe operation practices for forklifts, pallet jacks, and dock equipment., • Drive corrective actions and follow-through for safety observations and incidents. Systems, Reporting, and Administrative Management • Ensure accurate and timely warehouse system transactions (receiving, moves, replenishment, picking, shipping, adjustments)., • Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement action plans to improve results., • Maintain documentation, SOP updates, audits, and communication cadence (daily huddles, shift handoffs, and weekly reviews). Transportation Coordination (Supporting) • Coordinate with transportation/dispatch to align warehouse readiness with route schedules and delivery windows., • Support delivery compliance requirements tied to warehouse execution (documentation readiness, returns staging, OS&D support)., • Escalate service risks quickly and ensure warehouse follow-through on delivery-related exceptions. Qualifications • 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in warehouse/distribution operations; food distribution preferred., • Proven ability to drive improvements in pick path efficiency, slotting discipline, replenishment performance, and shipping accuracy., • Strong understanding of receiving, putaway, replenishment, inventory control, picking/shipping, and returns workflows., • Experience operating within sanitation and food handling requirements; HACCP mindset strongly preferred., • Strong communication, coaching, and accountability skills; comfortable leading on the floor and managing administrative responsibilities., • Proficient with basic business tools (email, spreadsheets) and able to learn ERP/WMS systems quickly., • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs occasionally and work in warehouse conditions, including refrigerated areas as needed. Work Environment This position is performed primarily in a warehouse environment with regular exposure to powered industrial equipment, docks, varying temperatures, and time-sensitive operational demands. Equal Opportunity Employer Julius Silvert is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, hire, train, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable law