HIL - Distribution Manager

The Distribution Manager is a salaried-exempt position and reports to the district sales manager. This role is responsible for overseeing all distribution, loadout, and transportation operations to ensure the safe, efficient, and timely delivery of dairy products to customers. This role manages distribution personnel, oversees transportation staff, routing, inventory movement, fleet utilization, regulatory compliance, and customer service performance while maintaining product quality standards and cold-chain integrity.

Responsibilities:

• Direct and oversee daily distribution operations, including receiving, storage, order fulfillment, loading, and shipping activities.
• Ensure dairy products are handled, stored, and transported in accordance with food safety and temperature-control requirements.
• Monitor inventory movement and coordinate with production and warehouse teams to ensure product availability and timely deliveries.
• Develop and implement procedures that improve operational efficiency, accuracy, and productivity.
• Analyze distribution metrics and implement corrective actions to improve performance.
• Ensure on-time delivery performance while maximizing route efficiency and controlling transportation costs.
• Supervise transportation personnel, including drivers, dispatchers, and transportation manager and supervisors.
• Monitor vehicle utilization, maintenance schedules, fuel consumption, and transportation expenses.
• Oversee all transportation operations, including fleet scheduling, route planning, dispatching, and driver management.
• Recruit, train, develop, and evaluate distribution and transportation employees.
• Establish performance expectations and accountability measures for team members.
• Conduct performance evaluations and administer disciplinary actions when necessary.
• Promote a culture of safety, teamwork, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure adequate staffing levels to support operational demands.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable DOT, FDA, OSHA, USDA, state, and local regulations.
• Maintain food safety, sanitation, and quality standards throughout the distribution process.
• Investigate accidents, incidents, customer complaints, and safety concerns and implement corrective actions.
• Conduct regular safety meetings and training programs.
• Maintain required transportation and operational records.
• Collaborate with sales, customer service, production, and warehouse teams to meet customer requirements.
• Resolve delivery issues and customer concerns promptly and professionally.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as: On-time delivery rates, Order accuracy, Transportation costs, Fleet utilization, Safety performance, and Labor productivity
• Develop and manage departmental budgets.
• Identify opportunities to reduce operational and transportation expenses while maintaining service quality.
• Monitor labor, fuel, maintenance, and equipment costs.
• Recommend capital improvements and equipment investments as needed.

Qualifications, Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Transportation Management, or related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in distribution, logistics, transportation, or warehouse operations.
• Minimum of 3 years of management or supervisory experience.
• Experience in food, beverage, dairy, refrigerated distribution, or manufacturing environments preferred.
• Strong knowledge of distribution, transportation, and supply chain operations.
• Understanding of DOT regulations, fleet management, and transportation compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of food safety, cold-chain logistics, and quality assurance practices.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in transportation management systems (TMS), warehouse management systems (WMS), and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to analyze operational data and implement process improvements.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

Physical Demand/Working Conditions and Experience:

• Ability to work in warehouse, distribution center, refrigerated, and office environments.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to walk, stand, bend, and move throughout operational facilities.
• Ability to travel between company locations as needed.

I understand the description of this job and the essential functions, as given above. I also understand that all of the duties are not described above and that I will perform those above and other related duties as directed by my supervisor and management.

Hiland Dairy Foods Company is an equal opportunity employer