Advantus

The Operations Manager is responsible for managing, directing, and organizing the assigned warehouse and distribution center locations. This role is accountable for the safe, efficient, and cost-effective management of all distribution center operations, including inbound receiving, storage, order fulfillment, outbound shipping, inventory control, and workforce management.

Core Responsibilities:

• Maintains operations by initiating, coordinating and enforcing programs, operational, and personnel policies and procedures.
• Develops and implements best practices for increased labor productivity and operational efficiency.
• Manage expenses to meet and exceed P&L budget goals.
• Drive KPIs set forth by senior management; develop dashboards and scorecards to track and report performance metrics including accuracy, on-time shipment, and cost-per-unit.
• Interview, hire, and train employees; plan, assign, and direct work; appraise performance; reward and discipline employees; address complaints and resolve problems.
• Complies with federal, state, and local warehousing, material handling, and shipping requirements including OSHA, DOT, and hazardous materials regulations.
• Safeguards warehouse operations and contents by establishing and monitoring security procedures and protocols.

Distribution Center Operations:

• Oversee all inbound and outbound logistics operations including scheduling, management, carrier coordination, and freight claims resolution.
• Direct order fulfillment operations — pick, pack, and ship — ensuring accuracy rates meet or exceed established targets (e.g., 99.5%+ order accuracy).
• Manage inventory control programs including cycle counts, annual physical inventory, shrinkage investigation, and reconciliation with ERP/WMS records.
• Lead WMS (Warehouse Management System) utilization, system configuration improvements, and staff training to maximize operational data integrity.
• Develop and execute slotting strategies to optimize warehouse layout, SKU velocity positioning, and space utilization.
• Partner with transportation and carrier teams to ensure on-time delivery performance; identify opportunities to reduce freight costs.
• Coordinate with procurement, demand planning, and customer service teams to align inbound receipts with outbound fulfillment needs.
• Manage reverse logistics and returns processing workflows, ensuring timely disposition of returned merchandise.
• Ensure proper handling and storage of all product categories including temperature-sensitive, oversize, and high-value items.
• Oversee seasonal surge planning, labor flex staffing, and peak-season readiness to maintain service levels during high-volume periods.

Safety & Compliance:

• Champion a safety-first culture; lead safety committee participation, incident investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action programs.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA standards; conduct regular safety audits and maintain all required safety documentation and training records.
• Manage and enforce powered industrial equipment (PIE) certification programs for forklifts, order pickers, and reach trucks.
• Maintain all required DOT, FDA, or other regulatory compliance documentation relevant to distributed product categories.
• Coordinate with Risk Management on workers' compensation cases, light duty assignments, and return-to-work programs.

People Leadership & Development:

• Build and maintain a high-performance team culture through consistent coaching, performance feedback, and recognition programs.
• Develop and execute training plans for warehouse associates, leads, and supervisors to build skills in safety, quality, and operational procedures.
• Manage supervisor and lead structures within the distribution center; define clear accountability at each level of the organization.
• Participate in workforce planning, succession planning, and talent development in partnership with Human Resources.
• Administer progressive discipline processes in alignment with company policy and employment law; partner with HR on complex employee relations matters.

Continuous Improvement & Technology:

• Lead Lean/Six Sigma or continuous improvement initiatives to eliminate waste, reduce cycle times, and improve operational throughput.
• Analyze operational data to identify root causes of inefficiencies and drive corrective action.
• Evaluate and recommend automation and technology investments (conveyor systems, scanning, robotics, WMS upgrades) to improve productivity.
• Develop and maintain SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) for all major distribution center functions.
• Benchmark performance against industry standards and develop roadmaps for operational improvement.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business Administration, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in distribution center, warehouse, or logistics operations management.
• Proven track record of managing large hourly workforces (50+ associates) in a fast-paced distribution environment.
• Experience with WMS (Warehouse Management Systems); familiarity with ERP systems (NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, or similar) preferred.
• Strong understanding of inbound/outbound logistics, inventory management, and supply chain principles.
• Excels in time management, multi-tasking, and balancing multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Demonstrates ability to follow directions and adjust to changing business priorities; rotates to other department functions as needed.
• Strong attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy and data integrity.
• Proficient personal computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work effectively under tight timelines in a dynamic, high-volume environment.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with a data-driven decision-making approach.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across functions and leadership levels.
• OSHA 30-hour certification preferred; Lean/Six Sigma Green Belt or higher a plus.
• Certified in or ability to obtain forklift/PIE operator certification.

Other Job Demands:

• Some overtime and Saturdays are required; flexibility to support peak periods, off-shifts, and weekend operations as needed.
• Willing and able to work in a hot and cold warehouse environment.
• Occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 75 lbs.
• Extended periods standing / walking / bending / stooping / kneeling on concrete floors.
• Must have the ability to safely and efficiently operate powered equipment, including pallet jacks and forklift trucks.
• Ability to be on-call or respond to facility needs outside of normal business hours.

EOE