Operations Manager, Distribution

The Operations Manager, Distribution is a depot leadership role responsible for driving overall depot performance through ownership of distribution operations. As a key member of the depot leadership team, this role contributes to the success of the entire operation - not just distribution, by ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable execution of delivery services.

This role leads the Distribution team while partnering closely with Service and Support Functions to deliver strong customer outcomes, operational excellence, and financial performance. The Operations Manager, Distribution builds high-performing teams, reinforces operational discipline, and ensures consistent execution of company standards across safety, service, and quality.

In partnership with the General Manager, this role is accountable for achieving depot-level financial and operational goals by optimizing workforce performance, driving key performance indicators, and supporting continuous improvement in a fast-paced, field-based environment.

Compensation: $80k - $90k based on experience and credentials

Bonus Potential: 15% annual target (With the ability to earn higher)

Primary Job Accountabilities:

People Leadership & Development

• Lead and develop a high-performing team through coaching, accountability, recognition, documentation and ongoing development while maintaining strong engagement and retention
• Build leadership capability within the team through coaching, and talent development

Safety Ownership

• Foster a safety-first culture by implementing and enforcing safety policies, procedures, and regulatory compliance (OSHA, DOT, and company standards)
• Actively coach team members to reinforce safe driving behaviors and operational discipline

Workforce Planning & Talent Management

• Drive workforce planning including recruiting, hiring, onboarding, scheduling and time management, performance management, and retention to ensure operational readiness

Fleet & Asset Management

• Oversee fleet performance and maintenance to support distribution execution
• Ensure completion of pre- and post-trip inspections, preventative maintenance, and monitoring of uptime/downtime metrics along with performing fleet walks

Customer Ownership

• Create and sustain a customer-focused culture by ensuring service delivery meets customer expectations
• Partner cross-functionally to resolve issues and support customer retention

Distribution Operations Execution

• Oversee distribution execution including delivery of fresh cooking oil and collection of used cooking oil across assigned routes
• Ensure high service levels, route efficiency, and consistent operational performance
• Perform timely route reconciliation to ensure accurate delivery volumes are captured, billed, and invoiced to customers correctly
• Manage labor utilization and scheduling to drive productivity, control overtime, and align staffing with customer demand

Inventory Management

• Ensure accurate inventory to support operations and customer demand, including routine cycle counts, and coordination of tanker delivery schedules to maintain proper supply levels and ensure the depot can receive and process deliveries efficiently

Financial Performance & Operational Discipline

• Partner with the General Manager to achieve depot financial performance and key KPIs
• Drive productivity, cost discipline, and continuous improvement across operations

Education, Requirements & Competencies:

Minimum Qualifications:

• 2-4 years of experience in operations, distribution, logistics, or a route-based environment
• Experience leading people, teams, or daily operations (formal or informal leadership)
• Ability to coach, develop, and hold frontline employees accountable
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, hands-on environment
• Basic understanding of safety practices and regulated environments
• Ability to use data and metrics to manage performance and solve problems
• Willingness to lead from the front and be actively engaged in daily operations
• High school diploma or equivalent required

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1-2+ years of direct people management experience
• Experience in logistics, delivery, or route-based distribution environments
• Familiarity with DOT compliance, regulations or driver-based operations
• Experience managing scheduling, labor, or workforce planning
• Experience using KPIs to drive performance (productivity, safety, service)
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

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Culture & Benefits

Our employees are the foundation of our success and we take care of them! Our comprehensive benefits include professional development, competitive health care coverage, incentives and a healthy work and life balance. We've cultivated an award-winning workplace for driven team members who enjoy a fast pace and rapid growth balanced by a flexible and supportive environment. We've earned recognition as a "Best Place to Work," by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal along with The Minnesota Work Life Champions Award while consistently earning a spot on Minnesota's Fastest Growing Companies list. In addition, we've earned numerous awards from our customer base who consider Restaurant Technologies a valued strategic partner.