Reser's Fine Foods - Job Description

Title: Distribution Center Manager

Location: Plant/DC

Reports to: General Manager or Director of Distribution Centers

FLSA Status: Exempt

Classification: First/Mid-Level Officials and Managers

Job Summary

Provides leadership for Reser's customer-facing Distribution Center (DC), ensuring on-time delivery, inventory accuracy, safety, and workforce productivity. This role requires a dynamic leader to drive continuous improvement, align site operations with strategic goals, and enhance customer service levels across the distribution network.

Essential Position Functions
• Lead a team of Supervisors, Leads, and hourly staff to deliver quality loads on time to all Reser's affiliates and customers.
• Drive continuous improvement in delivered cost per case while fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Develop and execute a communication strategy to ensure alignment with the company's goals and objectives. Lead regular meetings and engagement activities to keep teams informed and motivated. Drive employee engagement through recognition programs, team-building initiatives, and fostering an inclusive environment.
• Implement and support retention strategies to reduce turnover and develop future leadership talent through coaching and personalized development plans.
• Monitor and manage inventories and all required system transactions, including finished goods inventory, CHEP pallets, Yard Management System, Carrier appointment system, and Warehouse Management System (WMS). Act as a subject matter expert in configuring and optimizing WMS, ensuring timely and accurate data integrity to support business needs.
• Serve as a liaison between the distribution center, production, transportation, and customer service teams to streamline operations, resolve logistics challenges, improve fill rates, enhance customer service levels, and ensure operational excellence. Work with internal and external departments and partners to optimize costs, quality, and the employee experience.
• Champion and build a strong culture of safety by implementing safety training programs, conducting safety audits, and ensuring compliance with OSHA, DOT, FDA, and USDA regulations. Lead by example to ensure safety is embedded into all aspects of the operation, maintaining focus on a zero-incident environment through proactive safety engagement.
• Establish and communicate clear operational goals and metrics to all levels of the team. Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), such as on-time delivery, fill rates, cost per case, and employee productivity, to identify trends and implement corrective actions. Use data to drive decision-making and set strategic priorities for the site.
• Facilitate a culture of continuous improvement. Set goals and objectives for process improvement, supporting the teams in identifying waste and implementing solutions that drive efficiency and reduce costs, supported through formalized processes and procedures.
• Effectively manage the Distribution Center's trailer yards and carrier appointments, ensuring smooth flow of deliveries and pickups. Implement strategies to optimize yard management and trailer utilization.
• Ensure all company policies and any applicable federal, state, and local regulations and requirements are adhered to at the Distribution Center, including OSHA (Safety), DOT, FDA, USDA (Food Safety), and enforcement of SQF standards.
• Regular attendance and punctuality is required due to working with people, items and equipment that are at the facility.
• This role is responsible and accountable for food safety and quality, including ensuring compliance with applicable food safety programs, policies, and regulatory requirements.

Education and Experience
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field of study and/or equivalent experience in lieu of degree required.
• 5+ years of leadership in a modern warehouse environment using Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and automation technologies (e.g., Pick to Light, ASRS, VSR, AMRs).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Proven experience in managing a large team and achieving operational KPIs.
• Advanced understanding of WMS configuration and optimization. Familiarity with digital and physical forms of warehouse automation (e.g., Pick to Light, Pick to Voice, AMRs, ASRS, etc.).
• Experience with workforce management, understanding of standard HR practices, and end user experience with HR information systems.
• Experience with leadership concepts such as Leader Standard Work (LSW), hiring, training, cross-training, performance management, development, and succession planning.
• Some formal project management and/or leadership experience in Continuous Improvement (CI) or system implementation initiatives is preferred
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Bilingual proficiency (English/Spanish) is preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) and experienced in leveraging technology to streamline processes and drive results.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:
• Office, refrigerated warehouse, and production environment.
• The environment may be wet or dry, and temperatures may range from 0°F to 110°F.
• Repetitive hand, wrist, and finger activities associated with office work.
• Walking, and occasional lifting, kneeling, and bending while handling weights over 70 lbs.
• Production demands may require hours beyond a 40-hour work week and weekend operations.

Exempt Only: This position is eligible for performance-based bonus.