General Manager I

This position reports to the Director of Warehouse Operations.

About the role

The General Manager I is responsible for the operation and financial performance of the facility by providing direction and leadership to exempt and non-exempt associates. This role develops and leads a team managing employee performance, inventory, vendor, carrier, and customer relationships, ensuring orders are selected accurately and packed/shipped without damage for timely delivery.

• Typically manages 100,000 - 500,000 square feet of facilities and up to 100 employees during non-peak times.
• Manages between 1-2 dedicated customers in the same building or public accounts in the warehouse.

Responsibilities

Operations Management

• Ensures operational procedures for executing activities for incoming and outgoing shipments, handling and disposition of products, and maintaining the highest standards of inventory accuracy.
• Develops and manages a comprehensive strategy for the facility by shaping requirements, assessing deliverables, and utilizing resources to eliminate process problems.
• Plans long-term labor needs based on sales, forecasts, and historical data.
• Conducts analysis of workload compared to labor hours and equipment.
• Collaborates with teams from other facilities to share knowledge and problem solve.

Financials

• Responsible for facility P&L and budget preparation.
• Audits all billing activity for accuracy.
• Properly signs and authorizes all purchase order requisitions, vouchers, and customer billing.
• Ensures proper percentage of labor is charged to respective departments to identify accurate productivity.
• Reports on location’s financial and operational performance.
• Conducts monthly review of aging for accounts receivable and works closely with the Director and Corporate office to recover balances in a timely fashion.
• Conducts annual review of customer contracts, determining and recommending annual increases to the Regional Vice-President and Director of Business Development.
• Drives continuous improvements to safety, quality, cost, and delivery while growing and expanding capabilities within the warehouse.

Employee Relations/Development

• Ensures the daily pre-shift meetings cover previous productivity, operational problems, forecasting workload, and any other pertinent company information.
• Ensures proper staffing and supports hiring for all facility operations.
• Ensures all new employees are properly on-boarded, completing required paperwork and following a structured training schedule.
• Produces and effectively communicates department goals and individual performance goals that ensure the facility achieves operational success.
• Manages and maintains good human resources practices with direct reports and adherence to established corporate and department policies and procedures.
• Works with Human Resources to resolve employee relation issues, discipline actions, problem resolution, and terminations.
• Travels to other warehouses and participates in department or company meetings, as necessary.
• Provides feedback, coaching, guidance, and recognition to enhance others’ skill development.
• Plays an active role in employee development and talent selection.
• Acts as a role model for the department in support of corporate purpose, vision, and values.
• Provides regular coaching and feedback on performance, prepares and presents formal performance appraisals, and makes recommendations and approves annual compensation increases.
• Exhibits a commitment to self-development by staying current on information, tools, and systems.

Safety and Security

• Implements safety and sanitation schedules that ensure the facility’s compliance with corporate, OSHA, FDA, AIB, or ASI standards.
• Coordinates all alarm-monitoring systems and reviews sprinkler system testing.
• Ensures the safe, clean, and efficient operation of the facility to meet service standards.
• Actively supports and participates in all safety initiatives in the facility.
• Performs safety observations to coach employees on safety procedures.
• Prevents associate incident and injury by overseeing accident investigations, assessing root cause analysis, and implementing necessary improvements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job, as determined by the company.
• At least 7-10 years’ overall experience and experience in managing a 100,000+ sq ft warehouse/distribution center with total revenues up to $1M.
• Experience with Warehouse Management Systems (Manhattan preferred).
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Working knowledge of warehouse/mechanical equipment.
• Working knowledge of OSHA, DOT, HAZMAT, FDA regulations and the willingness to become certified in one or more of these areas as necessary.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle changing priorities using good judgment in stressful situations.
• Experience with seasonal workforces is a plus but not required.
• Experience with or desire to learn performance metrics, process improvement, and Lean/Six Sigma tools.
• Excellent talent management and team-building skills.
• Excellent verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills.
• Excellent customer service skills, specifically with external clients.
• Excellent analytical and mathematical skills.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Must be on-call for alarm system or problems during off-work hours.
• Ability and availability to work irregular or extended hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed by the customer.
• Must be able to stand/walk for up to 10-12 hours.
• Lift and move totes up to 50 pounds.
• Regular bending, lifting, stretching, and reaching both below the waist and above the head.
• Walking in the distribution center and around the area with great frequency; facilities are over a quarter-mile in length.
• Able to work in environments with variable noise levels, lighting conditions, and temperature variation, and access all areas of the building without limitations.