Associate Operations Manager Jobs in Auburn, GA (NOW HIRING)

Department: Buford, GA

Department: Returns Consolidation Center

Shift: Monday - Friday - 7:00am - Completion

Salary: $65,000/year - $83,000/year

Overview

The Reverse Logistics Manager is responsible for leading daily operations in a reverse logistics and returns processing environment. This role directly supervises a team of hourly associates responsible for receiving, inspecting, grading, and routing returned merchandise across multiple disposition channels including restocking, vendor returns, liquidation, and destruction. The manager owns shift performance, associate accountability, and the accuracy of disposition decisions that directly impact recovery value and inventory integrity. This is a floor-first role requiring daily hands-on presence, active coaching of associates, and a bias for solving problems at the source rather than escalating them upstream.

The role owns P&L performance for the assigned area, with accountability for staffing, cost control, safety, service, and the achievement of key performance indicators (KPIs). The Reverse Logistics Manager ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements and company policies while maintaining a strong culture of safety.

This position partners closely with site and regional leadership to design, refine, and implement work processes that improve productivity, quality, and overall efficiency. As a member of the leadership team, the Reverse Logistics Manager is constantly looking for opportunities to enhance operations and deliver excellent experience for both internal and external customers.

The Reverse Logistics Manager builds and sustains a cohesive, high-performing team by hiring, engaging, and developing associates, providing clear direction and feedback, and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement to achieve operational excellence.

Primary Responsibilities:

Operational Leadership & Performance:

• Oversee daily receipt, scanning, and processing of store returns and recyclable items from Office Depot retail locations, including individual items, bulk, and boxed return inbound formats while maintaining a strong focus on KPIs, quality,
• Utilize forecasting tools and methodologies to align labor, capacity, and resources with current and anticipated volume.
• Monitor, analyze, and act on operational performance data (productivity, quality, utilization) to drive continuous improvement.

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, external customers, and third-party providers/carriers.
• Participate in leadership meetings, customer visits, and third-party audits; proactively identify business opportunities and process improvements that enhance service and support growth.

People Leadership & Development:

• Recruit, hire, train, and develop distribution and/or transportation team members; ensure appropriate staffing and coverage to meet business needs.
• Provide day-to-day leadership and motivation for a small team including a lead associate, fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and collaboration. Operate with significant independence as the senior leader within the returns section of an annex facility.
• Conduct performance reviews, ongoing coaching conversations, and salary recommendations.
• Promote open, transparent communication and ensure associates understand goals, expectations, and priorities.

Safety, Compliance & Workplace Standards:

• Administer training, qualification, and safety programs to ensure regulatory and company policy compliance.
• Communicate and enforce policies, procedures, and standard work within assigned areas.
• Ensure the physical condition of the facility and work areas supports a clean, safe, and healthy working environment.

Financial Management & Continuous Improvement:

• Maintain financial accuracy of all returns activity - reconcile reported versus actual quantities and resolve vendor discrepancies with supporting documentation.
• Identify and implement initiatives that reduce cost-to-serve while maintaining or improving service levels.
• Implement Lean principles and methodologies to streamline processes, eliminate waste, and improve safety, quality, and productivity.
• Lead cross-functional teams in problem-solving and process-improvement initiatives; standardize best practices across the operation.

Other Responsibilities:

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support business needs and organizational objectives.

Education and Experience:

• Level of Formal Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• Area of Study: Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Distribution Management preferred.
• Minimum Years of Experience: 3
• Type of Experience: Leadership role in Distribution, Transportation, and/or Operations preferred
• Technical Competencies & Information Systems: Microsoft Office to include Outlook and Teams

Skills & Abilities:

• Experience in reverse logistics, returns processing, or vendor reconciliation strongly preferred; candidates from traditional inbound or outbound environments with returns lane exposure will be considered.
• Tech proficiency required. Must independently navigate multiple vendor portals, manage system logins, and generate accurate activity reports across platforms.
• Powered industrial truck experience preferred.
• Candidates must be comfortable working in a non-climate-controlled environment with continuous floor presence throughout the shift.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence and align cross-functional teams
• Deep knowledge of warehouse and/or transportation operations, procedures, and best practices
• Proven, sound decision-making skills in a fast-paced, metrics-driven environment
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and motivate employees to achieve operational, safety, and service goals

Additional Language Skills: English. Spanish is a plus.

Personal Attributes & Other/Preferred:

• Self-motivated, proactive, and accountable
• Collaborative team player who builds strong relationships across functions and levels
• Able to set clear expectations, monitor progress, and hold self and others accountable for results
• Effective at leading through change and providing timely, candid coaching and feedback to associates
• Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to adjust priorities to meet evolving business needs
• Comfortable meeting with customers and clients to build strong partnerships, understand their needs, and identify opportunities to grow the business
• Strong financial acumen, with the ability to forecast the business, interpret results, and adjust plans and resources based on changing conditions

About The ODP Corporation

The ODP Corporation is a leading provider of products and services through an integrated business-to-business (B2B) distribution platform and omnichannel presence, which includes world-class supply chain and distribution operations, dedicated sales professionals, a B2B digital procurement solution, online presence, and a network of Office Depot and OfficeMax retail stores. Through its operating companies Office Depot, LLC and ODP Business Solutions, LLC, The ODP Corporation empowers every business, professional, and consumer to achieve more every day.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by associates assigned to this classification and are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of associates so classified. Other duties may be assigned.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule: The salary range for this role is $65,000/Year to $83,000/Year, however all state and local minimum wages will be complied with, resulting in a possible adjustment to the salary range displayed.

You will be eligible to participate in an incentive program, paid in accordance with the Incentive Plan terms and conditions.

The company offers competitive salaries, a benefits package, which includes a 401(k) and more, along with plenty of opportunity to move and grow within our organization! For immediate consideration for this exciting position, please click the Apply Now button.

How to Apply

Click the Apply Now button and follow the instructions on each page. When you have completed the application, click the submit button.

Application Deadline

The job posting will remain open for a minimum of 3 days and will expire once the position has been filled.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in all employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, age, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records City & County of San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.