Distribution Center Manager Jobs in Portland, OR

Position Summary

At Ernest, we believe our people are our greatest competitive advantage. As the Client Logistics Manager, you will lead the daily operations of our Portland distribution center, ensuring products move safely, accurately, and efficiently from our vendor partners to our clients. This role is responsible for overseeing warehouse operations, inventory management, and our commercial delivery fleet while leading a team of warehouse associates and commercial drivers.

Success in this role comes from developing people, building strong relationships with internal and external partners, driving operational excellence, and delivering an exceptional client experience. The Client Logistics Manager leads by example, promotes a positive and accountable work environment, and continuously looks for opportunities to improve safety, efficiency, and service.

Expectations & Goals

• Champion Ernest's mission, culture, and core values in every interaction with employees, clients, vendors, and business partners.
• Balance exceptional customer service with sound operational and financial decision making.
• Lead, coach, support, and develop warehouse associates and commercial drivers while creating opportunities for growth and long-term success.
• Foster a workplace built on trust, accountability, respect, consistency, and teamwork.
• Drive operational efficiency while managing departmental expenses and contributing to overall company profitability.
• Monitor inventory turnover, merchandise controls, customer returns, vendor returns, and product quality to maintain inventory accuracy and operational excellence.
• Ensure all client deliveries are completed safely, accurately, on time, and in the most cost-effective manner.

Vendor & Business Partnerships

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with suppliers, freight carriers, and business partners.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with key vendors, equipment suppliers, and transportation providers.
• Stay informed on market conditions, vendor opportunities, new products, and developments affecting warehouse and distribution operations, communicating relevant information to the Division Operating Manager.
• Partner with the sales team to understand client opportunities and concerns, collaborating with division leadership to develop effective solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Warehouse Operations

• Lead and oversee all receiving, inventory, warehouse, and delivery operations.
• Ensure all incoming and outgoing products meet company standards and are handled, stored, and distributed properly.
• Maintain accurate order fulfillment processes to ensure timely and accurate deliveries to clients.
• Coordinate the most efficient and cost-effective transportation methods using company vehicles and common carriers, including UPS, FedEx, and other freight providers.
• Establish and maintain performance standards related to quality, safety, preventive maintenance, and overall operational performance.
• Develop effective staffing schedules, start and end times, break periods, and overtime practices to maintain productivity while delivering exceptional client service.
• Manage the timely disposition of merchandise controls and return goods authorizations in partnership with Purchasing and vendors.
• Partner with department leaders across the division to deliver the highest level of customer satisfaction.
• Work closely with Sales Management to resolve product quality concerns and customer issues promptly.
• Collaborate with the Purchasing Department regarding product quality, customer returns, and vendor returns.

Inventory Management

• Maintain accountability for company inventory by ensuring products are stored properly, rotated appropriately, and secured through effective inventory control procedures.
• Ensure daily cycle counts are completed and bin locations remain accurate and up to date within the inventory system.
• Administer the company's buyout inventory policies by notifying Purchasing and Sales of products that do not ship within the expected timeframe.

Operational Improvement

• Support company marketing initiatives by contributing ideas and operational insight that align with Ernest's short-term and long-term objectives.
• Maintain awareness of market conditions, product changes, pricing, supplier updates, discounts, promotions, and purchasing opportunities affecting warehouse operations.
• Regularly gather feedback from commercial drivers regarding client needs, operational challenges, and competitive market information.
• Continuously seek opportunities to reduce operational costs, improve product quality, and identify better products, systems, and processes that increase efficiency and profitability.
• Recommend improvements to operational methods, systems, and procedures that strengthen department performance.

Leadership

• Approve employee time worked and time off in accordance with company policies.
• Manage department expenses while obtaining appropriate approvals for unbudgeted or significant expenditures.
• Maintain a scrap reporting process and oversee accurate records for scrap and recycled materials.
• Interview, select, hire, train, and administer employee discipline, with approval from the Division Operating Manager, for warehouse associates, shipping and receiving personnel, and commercial drivers.
• Conduct written performance evaluations and actively support employee development, engagement, and overall well-being, with approval from the Division Operating Manager.
• Review low-profitability and problem orders with Sales Management and the Division Operating Manager.
• Lead monthly warehouse and delivery meetings focused on safety, quality, operational efficiency, and material handling best practices. Document meeting outcomes and communicate findings with the Division Operating Manager.
• Oversee pallet pickup and exchange activities with clients and vendors.

Reporting Relationships

• Reports directly to the Division Director of Operations  and works closely with the General Manager.
• Provides leadership and oversight for all warehouse and delivery operations and personnel.
• Partners collaboratively with all departments and Ernest locations to support company objectives, core values, and an exceptional client experience.

Measures of Success

Success in this role is measured by:

• Department profitability and effective management of operating expenses.
• Consistently meeting client delivery commitments while minimizing late deliveries.
• Maintaining accurate inventory, organized warehouse operations, and a clean, safe facility.
• Performance against the annual operating expense plan.

Why Ernest?

Ernest has been helping businesses succeed for more than 80 years and has grown to become the largest privately owned packaging company in the United States. We invest in our people, believe in promoting from within, and foster a culture where collaboration, innovation, and personal growth are encouraged. As a Client Logistics Manager, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by developing your team, improving operations, and helping deliver an exceptional experience to our clients every day.