Area Operations Manager Jobs in Goshen, IN (NOW HIRING)

Operations Manager - Elkhart, IN
Posting Start Date: 8/18/26
Division: Distribution
Posting Area: Operations + Manufacturing
Job Location: Elkhart, IN
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About Woodgrain:
Woodgrain is one of the top millwork operations in the world, with locations throughout the United States and Chile. With 70 years of quality manufacturing craftsmanship and service, Woodgrain is a top producer of mouldings, doors, and windows, as well as a premier distributor of specialty building products. Woodgrain Inc. is headquartered in Fruitland, Idaho with six divisions and over 45 manufacturing and warehouse facilities in the United States and South America. Since 1954, Woodgrain is proud to be family owned and operated.
Summary:
The position reports directly to the General Manager of the branch. This role is responsible for the successful execution of warehousing, production and delivery activities. The position requires the ability to develop, implement, control and adjust branch plans to implement the company's growth strategy while simultaneously leading team to achieve operational goals and efficiency targets for the branch.
The focus and scope of this job is to ensure that the branch:

1. Successfully execute the company's strategic plan in a comprehensive and systematic manner. The Operations Manager should be focused on driving the company's growth strategy.
2. Develops, implements, and executes coordinated strategies and tactical plans to improve the operational and financial performance of the distribution center; and
3. Achieves operating results that align with the company's strategic goals.
4. Demonstrates a safety-first culture - meeting or exceeding improvement targets.

Personal initiative, coupled with a sense of competitive drive, and the ability to stay focused on results despite changing conditions, is the key to achieving the performance objectives of this job. Because the business environment changes rapidly, the work involves innovation and creativity in planning and problem solving. Sound decision-making is required to implement practical, timely solutions.
Self-assurance and the confidence to purposely drive toward results while leading and engaging the commitment of others is essential. A leadership style that is firm and goal-oriented, and yet motivates, trains, and engages others in an enthusiastic way is important. The emphasis on building rapport and relationships with individuals and groups requires an outgoing, poised and persuasive communication style.
Because the pace of the work is faster than average, the ability to thoroughly assess and analyze information to make sound decisions is critical. The scope of the job requires a strong leader who can quickly build trust and associate engagement. An effective Operations Manager is skilled at communicating the company's vision and goals as well as the importance of each associate's role in contributing to company success.
The job requires the ability to act independently with a high degree of commitment, urgency, and confidence. Dedication and commitment and the pursuit of high standards of achievement are expected in this position. As the company is in the midst of strategic change, the position requires an individual that flexible, resilient and who is excited by the opportunities that growth brings.
Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Effective and efficient management of Production, Warehouse and Delivery operations.
   • Ensures a safe work environment for all employees.
   • Oversees and develops plans for efficient use of materials, machines, and employees by analyzing and adjusting daily, weekly and monthly to the volume of business in the branch.
   • Ensures the accuracy of the inventory on site at the Branch.

1. • Generates, analyzes and takes action on all IT systems and other reports related to the production, warehouse and delivery.
   • Serves as the final reviewer of the quality of work produced by the Interior and Exterior door shops to meet the expectations of our customers before shipment.
   • Ensures as all new employees are fully trained on and capable in all aspects of their job. Cross trains where appropriate.
   • Protects the assets of the company by implementing appropriate security and process controls.

1. Operations Planning
   • Proactively drives continuous improvement.
     • Achieves year-over-year improvements in productivity and waste reduction.
     • Engages associates in developing a comprehensive improvement plans, directs and delegates improvement activities and holds associates accountable for executing the plan.
     • When unexpected problems occur applies Root Cause Analysis to find the precise cause and fixes problems permanently. (Daily firefighting is a total time and resources).
   • Communicates priorities, progress and expectations through daily huddle meetings (5-10 minutes long) and monthly department meetings.

Pace and variety of activities:

• Works with a sense of urgency for goal achievement.
• Leads in fast-paced environment
• Manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
• This position requires approximately 5-10% travel.

Work Style:

• Must be results-focused and able to generate innovative and creative solutions to problems.
• Must build quick rapport with employees, customers, supply partners, and key stakeholders.

Decision-making:

• Takes calculated risks and have the ability to influence others to action.
• Possesses general business acumen.

Communication:

• The ideal candidate must be extroverted, confident, and possess the ability to effectively communicate the benefits of valued-added service and products to employees, customers, and vendors.

Leadership style:

• Must exhibit a directive leadership style to achieve better than average business results.
• Able to delegate details as needed and establish follow-up meetings to determine status.
• Foster teamwork, empowerment, growth, and development of subordinates.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Manages a team comprised of Supervisors, Leads and Operations Associates.
• Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the Production, Warehouse and Delivery departments.
• Ensure the safety of all employees through diligent execution of the company's safety program.

• Ensure all supervisory responsibilities are carried out in accordance with corporate policies and applicable laws.
• Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees, addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree preferred Three to five years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Successful candidates must have a successful track record of leading a distribution center. Experience in the millwork and building materials industry is desirable.
Language Skills:
Must be able to read, analyze, and interpret common technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Additionally, must have the ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers or members of the business community. As required, this person will make presentations to the Senior Leadership Team, and public groups.
Other Skills/Certification:
Experience in managerial assignments in the distribution industry is desirable. Proficient in Microsoft Office (particularly Word and Excel).
Mathematical Skills:
Must have experience in interpreting financial statements and the budgeting process.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move 10 or more pounds. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While the noise level in the office is minimal, work in the shop and warehouse may require safety equipment such as earplugs, eye protection, steel toe shoes, etc.
Personal Characteristics for Success:

• A proven leader that people believe in and want to follow.
• Highly driven and disciplined with sense of urgency for goal achievement.
• A change agent, able to persuade and coach subordinates to change their behavior.
• A person who thrives in rapidly changing environment.
• Enjoys work in a decentralized environment.
• Willing to consistently challenge the status quo.
• Skilled at building a high performance team - attracting, selecting, developing, empowering and holding leaders accountable for results.
• An individual with high integrity

Summary of Company Benefits:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• 401(k) with a Company Match
• Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D
• Employer Paid Long-Term & Short-Term Disability
• Voluntary Supplemental Hospital and Accident Plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• 8 Company Paid Holidays & 1 Floating Holiday
• Paid Time Off (PTO)

Woodgrain is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Woodgrain is a drug, alcohol, and tobacco-free workplace. All offers of employment are contingent upon pre-employment background and drug screening, and some positions require a fitness for duty test.
All legitimate Woodgrain job opportunities must be applied for through our official Applicant Tracking System at jobs.woodgrain.com or through our partnership with Indeed using their "Apply with Indeed" feature. Woodgrain will never ask candidates for money to cover hiring costs. Woodgrain does not charge any fees for job applications or hiring procedures.