Oversee end-to-end distribution operations, including purchasing, inventory management, warehousing, transportation, and delivery.
Optimize logistics, routing, and inventory turns to reduce waste, spoilage, and operating costs.
Ensure consistent product availability while maintaining quality and freshness standards.
Ensure full compliance with FDA, USDA, HACCP, FSMA, OSHA, and local health regulations.
Maintain food safety programs, audits, and certifications.
Implement and enforce policies related to sanitation, cold-chain management, and product traceability.
Develop and manage operating budgets, forecasts, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
Analyze financial reports and operational metrics to improve margins and overall performance.
Control labor, transportation, and inventory costs.
Partner with sales leadership to support revenue growth, pricing strategies, and customer retention.
Maintain strong relationships with key customers, vendors, and strategic partners.
Resolve escalated customer issues and service challenges.
Lead, mentor, and develop department managers and teams across operations, sales, and administration.
Build a culture of accountability, safety, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
Oversee hiring, performance management, training, and succession planning.
Develop and execute short- and long-term business strategies.
Identify opportunities for new markets, products, vendors, and operational efficiencies.
Lead process improvement initiatives and system implementations (ERP, WMS, TMS, etc.).

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
7+ years of progressive leadership experience in food distribution, foodservice, grocery, or related industries.
Strong knowledge of food safety regulations and cold-chain logistics.
Proven experience managing P&L and operational budgets.
Demonstrated ability to lead multi-department teams.

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools

inventory managementlogistics optimizationfinancial analysisoperational metricsP&L managementbudget managementprocess improvementcold-chain managementfood safety programsperformance management

Soft Skills

leadershipmentoringcustomer relationship managementteamworkcommunicationproblem-solvingstrategic planningaccountabilitycontinuous improvementcollaboration

Certifications

HACCPFDA complianceUSDA complianceFSMA complianceOSHA compliance