Director of Operations

Director of Operations

Overview:

We are seeking a hands-on, proactive Director of Operations to lead and manage all aspects of a high-volume food distribution facility handling both refrigerated and non-refrigerated perishable goods. This individual will oversee a team of 70+ employees, including three direct-report managers, and will be responsible for driving operational excellence, forecasting labor needs, training leaders, and continuously improving processes. Experience with WMS is essential.

• As Director of Operations, you will lead and inspire a large team by providing clear direction, consistent leadership, and a strong, visible presence across all operational areas. Your role sets the tone for excellence and accountability at every level of the organization.
• You will be responsible for driving operational excellence by identifying inefficiencies and implementing smarter, streamlined workflows. This includes leading process improvement initiatives that reduce waste, increase productivity, and enhance overall performance.
• Daily operations will fall under your leadership, encompassing inventory control, shipping, receiving, equipment maintenance, and strict adherence to food safety protocols. Your ability to manage these moving parts while maintaining compliance will be crucial to the facility’s success.
• Staffing strategy is also a core component of this role. You’ll forecast labor needs, build schedules, and focus on hiring, training, and developing both frontline workers and managers to ensure a strong, scalable team structure.
• On the compliance front, you’ll ensure all departments operate with up-to-date SOPs and maintain strict food handling standards. You’ll also oversee the creation and execution of the annual operating plan, monitoring financial performance and adjusting strategies to align with budgetary targets.
• Inventory and product oversight are key to this position. You’ll be accountable for the accuracy and control of all items entering and leaving the warehouse, with a deep understanding of specifications for all commodities handled on site.
• Collaboration is another important part of the role, serving as the operational link between Sales, Procurement, and Customer Service. Aligning operational goals with broader company objectives will be essential to driving overall business performance.
• Finally, customer satisfaction will be a continuous focus, as you oversee support processes to ensure a smooth and high-quality experience from order to delivery. Flexibility is essential in this role, as it requires availability across multiple shifts, including weekends, to support the needs of the team and the business.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Minimum 4+ years of experience as a Director of Operations or Operations Manager in food distribution or a similar environment.
• Bachelor’s degree or related field preferred.
• Proven ability to manage complex operations, multi-shift environments, and cross-functional teams.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team-building skills with a hands-on management approach.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate across departments.
• Strong organizational and analytical abilities; capable of managing multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of produce industry standards, food safety regulations, and compliance.
• Proficient in WMS systems
• Self-starter with a high level of accountability, adaptability, and drive.

Director of Operations

Overview:

We are seeking a hands-on, proactive Director of Operations to lead and manage all aspects of a high-volume food distribution facility handling both refrigerated and non-refrigerated perishable goods. This individual will oversee a team of 70+ employees, including three direct-report managers, and will be responsible for driving operational excellence, forecasting labor needs, training leaders, and continuously improving processes. Experience with WMS is essential.

• As Director of Operations, you will lead and inspire a large team by providing clear direction, consistent leadership, and a strong, visible presence across all operational areas. Your role sets the tone for excellence and accountability at every level of the organization.
• You will be responsible for driving operational excellence by identifying inefficiencies and implementing smarter, streamlined workflows. This includes leading process improvement initiatives that reduce waste, increase productivity, and enhance overall performance.
• Daily operations will fall under your leadership, encompassing inventory control, shipping, receiving, equipment maintenance, and strict adherence to food safety protocols. Your ability to manage these moving parts while maintaining compliance will be crucial to the facility’s success.
• Staffing strategy is also a core component of this role. You’ll forecast labor needs, build schedules, and focus on hiring, training, and developing both frontline workers and managers to ensure a strong, scalable team structure.
• On the compliance front, you’ll ensure all departments operate with up-to-date SOPs and maintain strict food handling standards. You’ll also oversee the creation and execution of the annual operating plan, monitoring financial performance and adjusting strategies to align with budgetary targets.
• Inventory and product oversight are key to this position. You’ll be accountable for the accuracy and control of all items entering and leaving the warehouse, with a deep understanding of specifications for all commodities handled on site.
• Collaboration is another important part of the role, serving as the operational link between Sales, Procurement, and Customer Service. Aligning operational goals with broader company objectives will be essential to driving overall business performance.
• Finally, customer satisfaction will be a continuous focus, as you oversee support processes to ensure a smooth and high-quality experience from order to delivery. Flexibility is essential in this role, as it requires availability across multiple shifts, including weekends, to support the needs of the team and the business.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Minimum 4+ years of experience as a Director of Operations or Operations Manager in food distribution or a similar environment.
• Bachelor’s degree or related field preferred.
• Proven ability to manage complex operations, multi-shift environments, and cross-functional teams.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team-building skills with a hands-on management approach.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate across departments.
• Strong organizational and analytical abilities; capable of managing multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of produce industry standards, food safety regulations, and compliance.
• Proficient in WMS systems
• Self-starter with a high level of accountability, adaptability, and drive.