Manager, Distribution Center

About the role

Lead all distribution center operations involving Teklad diets, laboratory animal shipments, and related products. Oversee warehousing, inventory management, transportation, customer service support, and cross-network coordination with other distribution centers. Provide leadership to employees, ensure regulatory compliance, drive operational efficiency, and maintain exceptional service levels for internal and external customers.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily distribution center operations, including receiving, inventory management, order fulfillment, shipping, and transportation activities.
• Supervise, coach, and develop distribution center staff while fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and customer service.
• Coordinate shipments of laboratory animals, Teklad diets, and related products while ensuring regulatory and quality standards are maintained.
• Serve as a key liaison between Customer Service, Operations, Transportation, Sales, and other distribution centers to resolve issues and support business needs.
• Manage coast-to-coast inventory transfers and collaborate with network partners to maintain product availability and service performance.
• Ensure inventory accuracy through cycle counts, audits, reconciliation activities, and inventory control practices.
• Maintain compliance with company policies, SOPs, DOT requirements, animal welfare standards, and applicable regulatory guidelines.
• Investigate incidents, address operational issues, and implement corrective actions to support a safe work environment.
• Oversee facility, fleet, and equipment maintenance to ensure operational readiness.
• Monitor performance metrics and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction.
• Support budgeting, expense management, and operational planning activities.
• Respond to after-hours operational emergencies and customer needs as required.
• Provide hands-on operational support, including warehouse and delivery activities when business conditions require.
• Utilize ERP systems (e.g., JDE, SAP) to drive inventory accuracy, streamline workflows, and improve distribution center performance.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum 3 years of leadership experience in distribution, warehouse, logistics, transportation, or supply chain operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading employees, including coaching, scheduling, performance management, and employee development.
• Experience with inventory management, warehouse operations, and transportation coordination.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Excel, and Word.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Valid driver’s license (minimum class “B” CDL required) with service delivery experience and good driving record required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain any required DOT qualifications.

Preferences

• Associate's or bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Business, or related field preferred.
• Experience managing a complex distribution center or multi-product distribution operation.
• Experience supporting laboratory animal transportation, animal care operations, animal feed operations, etc.
• Working knowledge of DOT regulations and transportation compliance requirements.
• Experience managing interfacility inventory transfers and national distribution networks.
• Forklift certification and warehouse equipment experience.
• Experience with warehouse management systems (WMS) and inventory control systems.
• Continuous improvement, Lean, or process optimization experience.

Pay

Starting pay at $80,100. This position could be offered at different levels for candidates who qualify with a combination of advanced levels of education and/or years of experience. The salary range will adjust along with the level of the role to match the person’s relevant experience and/or education level.

Benefits

• Health and dental coverage
• Short- and long-term disability
• Paid time off
• Paid parental leave
• 401K