DC OPERATIONS MANAGER
Pilgrim, Lenoir, NC, United States
Essential Tasks and Responsibilities
End-to-End Operational Management
Oversee daily frozen distribution center operations including receiving, put-away, slotting, picking, staging, loading, and outbound shipping.
Ensure compliance with temperature control requirements and food safety standards such as FDA and USDA regulations.
Develop and maintain SOPs, workflow outlines, and operational KPIs for all critical warehouse functions.
Ensure product rotation accuracy using FEFO (First Expired, First Out) methodology to maintain product freshness.
Continuous Improvement & Process Optimization
Identify and execute opportunities to enhance productivity, accuracy, throughput, and labor utilization.
Apply Lean and Six Sigma tools such as 5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, and root-cause analysis.
Support operational changes through structured rollout plans, training programs, and performance follow-up.
Implement dashboards and routines (hourly, daily, weekly) to improve visibility into operational performance.
Safety, Compliance & Equipment Management
Ensure full compliance with OSHA, food safety, cold-chain handling, and internal safety protocols.
Manage material handling equipment performance including forklifts, pallet jacks, and refrigeration systems.
Lead safety training, incident investigations, corrective actions, and compliance reporting.
Promote a strong safety culture through proactive risk identification and prevention strategies.
Inventory Control & Accuracy
Oversee cycle counting, reconciliation, and inventory accuracy processes.
Collaborate with supply planning and quality teams to resolve discrepancies and maintain inventory integrity.
Implement process controls to ensure accuracy in receiving, put-away, and picking.
Monitor shrink, damages, and variances, developing action plans to reduce loss.
Lead, train, and develop warehouse staff including supervisors, leads, and associates.
Conduct performance management, coaching, and development planning to build a high-performing team.
Promote a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and operational excellence.
Ensure adequate staffing levels and manage labor scheduling to support volume demands.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with transportation, supply chain planning, procurement, and quality to ensure seamless execution.
Support initiatives involving new system rollouts, process enhancements, vendor transitions, and cross-dock operations.
Collaborate with senior leadership to provide insights, recommendations, and operational updates.
Align warehouse execution with broader business strategies and customer service expectations.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
5+ years of experience in warehouse or distribution operations, preferably within frozen or food industry environments.
Strong understanding of cold-chain management and food safety regulations.
Proficiency with WMS, ERP, and productivity reporting tools.
Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Strong analytical abilities with experience using KPIs and performance metrics.
Proven leadership skills with experience managing hourly and supervisory staff.
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End-to-End Operational Management
Oversee daily frozen distribution center operations including receiving, put-away, slotting, picking, staging, loading, and outbound shipping.
Ensure compliance with temperature control requirements and food safety standards such as FDA and USDA regulations.
Develop and maintain SOPs, workflow outlines, and operational KPIs for all critical warehouse functions.
Ensure product rotation accuracy using FEFO (First Expired, First Out) methodology to maintain product freshness.
Continuous Improvement & Process Optimization
Identify and execute opportunities to enhance productivity, accuracy, throughput, and labor utilization.
Apply Lean and Six Sigma tools such as 5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, and root-cause analysis.
Support operational changes through structured rollout plans, training programs, and performance follow-up.
Implement dashboards and routines (hourly, daily, weekly) to improve visibility into operational performance.
Safety, Compliance & Equipment Management
Ensure full compliance with OSHA, food safety, cold-chain handling, and internal safety protocols.
Manage material handling equipment performance including forklifts, pallet jacks, and refrigeration systems.
Lead safety training, incident investigations, corrective actions, and compliance reporting.
Promote a strong safety culture through proactive risk identification and prevention strategies.
Inventory Control & Accuracy
Oversee cycle counting, reconciliation, and inventory accuracy processes.
Collaborate with supply planning and quality teams to resolve discrepancies and maintain inventory integrity.
Implement process controls to ensure accuracy in receiving, put-away, and picking.
Monitor shrink, damages, and variances, developing action plans to reduce loss.
Lead, train, and develop warehouse staff including supervisors, leads, and associates.
Conduct performance management, coaching, and development planning to build a high-performing team.
Promote a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and operational excellence.
Ensure adequate staffing levels and manage labor scheduling to support volume demands.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with transportation, supply chain planning, procurement, and quality to ensure seamless execution.
Support initiatives involving new system rollouts, process enhancements, vendor transitions, and cross-dock operations.
Collaborate with senior leadership to provide insights, recommendations, and operational updates.
Align warehouse execution with broader business strategies and customer service expectations.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
5+ years of experience in warehouse or distribution operations, preferably within frozen or food industry environments.
Strong understanding of cold-chain management and food safety regulations.
Proficiency with WMS, ERP, and productivity reporting tools.
Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Strong analytical abilities with experience using KPIs and performance metrics.
Proven leadership skills with experience managing hourly and supervisory staff.
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