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Director of Operations

Location: West Little Rock, Arkansas | Reports to: Ownership / Executive Leadership | Status: Full-Time, Exempt

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.

Imperial Ice is a manufacturer and distributor of packaged ice in Central Arkansas.