Senior Production Manager (IB)

Overview

At KeHE, we’re obsessed with creating solutions, unboxing potential, and serving others - and it all starts with you. As an employee-owned distributor of natural and organic, specialty, and fresh products, we’re committed to making a positive impact and scaling our success together. With a culture that fosters development and opportunity, you’ll be embarking on a career that’s moving forward. When you join KeHE, you’re becoming part of a team that is a force for good.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and direction for daily and strategic warehouse operations, including labor planning, safety, productivity, quality, and customer service.
• Lead, coach, and develop warehouse management staff and frontline leaders; support team growth, succession planning, and a positive work environment.
• Monitor and drive performance using KPIs (e.g., on-time shipping, productivity, inventory accuracy, safety incidents) to meet or exceed goals.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners (e.g., Transportation, Inventory, HR, Safety) to solve problems, implement initiatives, and align site strategy.
• Act as the primary point of contact for distribution center leadership and serve as liaison to internal support functions.
• Identify operational bottlenecks or inefficiencies; lead or sponsor process improvement initiatives using Lean or Six Sigma methodologies.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, food safety, and company-specific regulatory standards.
• Develop operational forecasts and resource plans in partnership with Finance and other departments.
• Promote a hands-on leadership style by maintaining visibility and active engagement on the warehouse floor.
• Work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays, to support business needs and operational demands.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Hands-On Leader: Actively engages with the team and leads by example on the floor.
• Results-Focused: Holds self and others accountable for measurable outcomes.
• Team Builder: Coaches and develops talent; supports career growth for direct reports.
• Adaptable & Solutions-Oriented: Comfortable navigating ambiguity and solving operational challenges.
• Collaborative: Strong communicator who works well across departments and levels.
• Strong end-to-end distribution knowledge, with a proven ability to drive operational success in a high-volume environment.
• Proven leadership skills with experience managing frontline supervisors and salaried leaders.
• Expertise in warehouse systems (WMS) and analytics to evaluate performance and support decision-making.
• Excellent communication skills across all levels of the organization; strong presentation and reporting capabilities.
• Ability to influence, resolve conflict, and build consensus across teams and functions.
• Deep understanding of safety practices, regulatory compliance, and inventory control methods.
• Experience implementing Lean or Six Sigma practices for continuous improvement.
• High emotional intelligence with strong interpersonal and situational leadership skills.
• Capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, ever-changing distribution environment.
• Skilled in Microsoft Office (especially Excel); ability to learn and utilize internal systems quickly.
• Willingness to work in varied temperature conditions (ambient, refrigerated, frozen) and non-standard shifts when required.

Minimum Requirements, Qualifications, Additional Skills, Aptitude

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• 6+ years of progressive warehouse/distribution leadership experience, including 3+ years managing leaders or teams.
• Experience in the food, grocery, or consumer goods industry preferred.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) is a plus.