Operations Manager – Frozen Food Distribution

Position Overview

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

• Daily Operations: Oversee daily frozen distribution center operations including receiving, put-away, slotting, picking, staging, loading, and outbound shipping.

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with temperature control requirements and food safety standards such as FDA and USDA regulations.

• Standard Operating Procedures: Develop and maintain SOPs, workflow outlines, and operational KPIs for all critical warehouse functions.

• Inventory Rotation: Ensure product rotation accuracy using FEFO (First Expired, First Out) methodology to maintain product freshness.

2. Continuous Improvement & Process Optimization

• Productivity Gains: Identify and execute opportunities to enhance productivity, accuracy, throughput, and labor utilization.

• Lean Methodologies: Apply Lean and Six Sigma tools such as 5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, and root-cause analysis.

• Change Management: Support operational changes through structured rollout plans, training programs, and performance follow-up.

• Performance Visibility: Implement dashboards and routines (hourly, daily, weekly) to improve visibility into operational performance.

3. Safety, Compliance & Equipment Management

• Safety Standards: Ensure full compliance with OSHA, food safety, cold-chain handling, and internal safety protocols.

• Asset Management: Manage material handling equipment performance including forklifts, pallet jacks, and refrigeration systems.

• Incident Management: Lead safety training, incident investigations, corrective actions, and compliance reporting.

• Culture of Safety: Promote a strong safety culture through proactive risk identification and prevention strategies.

4. Inventory Control & Accuracy

• Stock Integrity: Oversee cycle counting, reconciliation, and inventory accuracy processes.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Collaborate with supply planning and quality teams to resolve discrepancies and maintain inventory integrity.

• Quality Control: Implement process controls to ensure accuracy in receiving, put-away, and picking.

• Loss Prevention: Monitor shrink, damages, and variances, developing action plans to reduce loss.

5. Leadership & Staff Development

• Team Building: Lead, train, and develop warehouse staff including supervisors, leads, and associates.

• Performance Management: Conduct performance management, coaching, and development planning to build a high-performing team.

• Accountability: Promote a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and operational excellence.

• Labor Scheduling: Ensure adequate staffing levels and manage labor scheduling to support volume demands.

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Supply Chain Alignment: Partner with transportation, supply chain planning, procurement, and quality to ensure seamless execution.

• Project Support: Support initiatives involving new system rollouts, process enhancements, vendor transitions, and cross-dock operations.

• Stakeholder Communication: Collaborate with senior leadership to provide insights, recommendations, and operational updates.

• Strategic Execution: Align warehouse execution with broader business strategies and customer service expectations.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

• Experience: 5+ years of experience in warehouse or distribution operations, preferably within frozen or food industry environments.

• Industry Knowledge: Strong understanding of cold-chain management and food safety regulations.

• Technical Skills: Proficiency with WMS, ERP, and productivity reporting tools.

• Methodologies: Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement practices.

• Analytics: Strong analytical abilities with experience using KPIs and performance metrics.

• Leadership: Proven leadership skills with experience managing hourly and supervisory staff.