Operations Manager – Frozen Food Distribution
The Operations Manager for Frozen Food Distribution is responsible for overseeing end-to-end operations within a temperature-controlled distribution environment. This role ensures efficient receiving, storage, picking, staging, and shipping of frozen products while maintaining strict adherence to cold-chain, food safety, and regulatory standards. The Operations Manager will drive continuous improvement, develop standardized processes, enhance operational visibility, and strengthen cross-functional collaboration to support a high-performance logistics operation.
Essential Tasks and Responsibilities
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Leadership & Staff Development
· 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.
6. 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.
EOE/Vets/Disability