Director of Operations
hace 3 días
Little Rock
Job Description About Imperial Ice Imperial Ice is a family-owned packaged-ice manufacturer and distributor operating a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant on 5 acres in West Little Rock, Arkansas. We produce 7 lb and 20 lb bagged ice and 10 lb frozen solid blocks, supported by indoor and outdoor merchandisers, freezer storage and delivery, and event rentals. Service is available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Our customers count on us when supply, timing, and quality cannot be compromised. Position Summary The Director of Operations owns the day-to-day performance of the entire operation — production, packaging, cold storage, fleet, delivery routing, maintenance, and safety. This role turns capacity into reliability: ice made on schedule, loaded correctly, and delivered on time, every day, in every season. The Director leads front-line supervisors and drivers, drives operational discipline and cost control, and serves as the senior operational decision-maker during peak demand, equipment events, and weather-driven surges. Key Responsibilities Production & Plant Operations • Direct daily ice production, bagging, palletizing, and block operations to meet demand forecasts and quality standards., • Manage cold storage inventory levels, rotation, and staging to support 24/7 order fulfillment and seasonal peaks., • Oversee preventive maintenance programs for ice makers, baggers, compressors, refrigeration systems, and material handling equipment; minimize unplanned downtime., • Enforce food-safety and sanitation standards for packaged ice, including plant cleanliness, water quality, and packaging integrity. Fleet & Distribution • Own routing, dispatch, and delivery execution across commercial accounts, merchandiser locations, and event customers., • Manage the delivery fleet: DOT compliance, driver qualification files, vehicle inspections, maintenance scheduling, and fuel cost control., • Optimize route density and delivery windows; balance service commitments against labor and fuel spend., • Direct event logistics — merchandiser placements, refrigerated trailer and truck rentals, and surge deliveries for weddings, tournaments, tailgates, and community events. People Leadership • Recruit, train, schedule, and develop production staff, drivers, and operations coordinators; build reliable coverage for nights, weekends, and holidays., • Set clear performance expectations; conduct reviews, coaching, and corrective action in partnership with HR., • Model and enforce a professional, uniformed, customer-first service culture in the field. Safety & Compliance • Own workplace safety: forklift operations, lockout/tagout, cold-environment work practices, and driver safety (including backing and dock procedures)., • Maintain compliance with DOT/FMCSA, OSHA, and applicable food-safety and labeling regulations., • Lead incident response, root-cause analysis, and corrective action for accidents, injuries, and service failures. Financial & Business Management • Manage the operations budget: labor, fuel, fleet maintenance, plant utilities, and packaging materials., • Track and report key metrics — production output, on-time delivery, cost per bag, fuel spend, downtime, and shrink., • Partner with accounting and administration on invoicing accuracy, delivery documentation, and customer account issues., • Identify and execute cost-reduction and capacity-improvement initiatives. Qualifications • 7+ years of progressive operations leadership in manufacturing, food/beverage production, cold chain, or distribution; 3+ years managing both plant and fleet functions preferred., • Proven experience leading drivers and production crews, including scheduling for 24/7 or highly seasonal operations., • Working knowledge of DOT/FMCSA requirements, OSHA standards, and food-safety practices (HACCP or similar a plus)., • Strong routing and logistics skills; comfortable with routing software, telematics, and fleet maintenance systems., • Financial literacy: budgeting, cost analysis, and P&L awareness; proficiency with QuickBooks or comparable systems a plus., • Mechanical aptitude with refrigeration and packaging equipment strongly preferred., • Valid driver's license required; CDL a plus. Working Conditions & Physical Requirements • Split time between plant floor, loading dock, delivery field, and office; regular exposure to cold, wet, and freezer environments., • Ability to lift up to 50 lb, operate a forklift, and work extended hours during peak season (spring through early fall), holidays, and weather events., • On-call availability for after-hours operational issues consistent with 24/7 Service commitments. Success in the First Year • On-time delivery and order-fill rates consistently meet or exceed target during peak season., • Preventive maintenance program in place with measurable reduction in unplanned downtime., • Fleet fully compliant on DOT files, inspections, and maintenance records., • Stable, trained crew with documented coverage plans for weekends, holidays, and surge demand., • Operations reporting rhythm established: weekly metrics on production, delivery, labor, and fuel., • Imperial Ice is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is contingent on a background check, motor vehicle record review, and pre-employment drug screening as permitted by law. Pay: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year Benefits: Dental insurance Employee discount Flexible schedule Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Education: Bachelor's (Preferred) Experience: Operations leadership in manufacturing or distribution: 5-7 years (Preferred) License/Certification: CDL A (Preferred) Location: Little Rock, AR 72204 (Preferred) Ability to Commute: Little Rock, AR 72204 Work Location: In person Imperial Ice is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is contingent on a background check, motor vehicle record review, and pre-employment drug screening as permitted by law. \nCompany Description Imperial Ice is a family-owned packaged-ice manufacturer and distributor operating a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant on 5 acres in West Little Rock, Arkansas. We produce 7 lb and 20 lb bagged ice and 10 lb frozen solid blocks, supported by indoor and outdoor merchandisers, freezer storage and delivery, and event rentals. Service is available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Our customers count on us when supply, timing, and quality cannot be compromised. Imperial Ice is a family-owned packaged-ice manufacturer and distributor operating a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant on 5 acres in West Little Rock, Arkansas. We produce 7 lb and 20 lb bagged ice and 10 lb frozen solid blocks, supported by indoor and outdoor merchandisers, freezer storage and delivery, and event rentals. Service is available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Our customers count on us when supply, timing, and quality cannot be compromised.