Operations Manager

Title: Operations Manager

Supervisor: Director of Operations

Location: Vacaville, CA

Contract - onsite at Keller Distribution / 3-4 months

Job Summary: The Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation(s) of multiple warehouse locations, ensuring optimal performance in safety, service, productivity, and profitability. This role involves leading teams, managing customer and vendor relationships, and implementing policies and procedures that align with company standards. The Operations Manager collaborates closely with the General Manager or the Director of Operations and cross-functional departments to drive continuous improvement, uphold compliance, and achieve key performance goals across all assigned sites.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage personnel, includes recommendations for hiring, firing, performance evaluation, training, work allocation, and problem resolution.
• Responsible for overall performance of warehouses, including operations, customer service and contract KPIs. Work daily with all assigned Keller Warehouse locations to resolve any operational/customer issues.
• Design and manage productivity metrics, WMS based reporting, and operational KPIs. Use data analytics to identify labor trends and workflow inefficiencies.
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) for each assigned warehouse location. The SOP’s will cover every aspect of the warehouse from using handhelds to operating a tow motor in a Keller safe manner.
• Develop/design/maintain productivity metrics and departmental goals. Regularly monitor progress to identify trends in activity and labor. Recommend, implement, and administer policies and procedures to enhance operations. Meet customer scorecard objectives.
• Lead Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen, and cross-functional continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, improve quality, and strengthen workplace safety.
• For food grade warehouses, lead a food safety culture. Audit and maintain food safety standards within a facility.
• Maintain accurate payroll records including on time approval of timecards, time off requests, and communicating any issues with HR. Adhere to all attendance policy standards.
• Hold staff accountable on adherence to their job requirements and follow through as needed.
• Oversee the financial success of assigned operations include equipment quoting, labor management, invoice approval, follow-up on disputes, tracking of all revenue/expenses to ensure profitability with monthly income statement reviews.
• Track and manage revenue and expenses and work closely with the Director of Operations on variance analysis and forecasting.
• Perform semi-annual warehouse audits with each location assigned and ensure adherence to all OSHA, customer and company standards are maintained, includes periodic inventory audits and reconciliation of issues.
• Lead onboarding and ongoing development of team members, ensuring all training requirements are met and developing new training programs as needed.
• Forklift Training – lead/assist in initial training with employees, maintain recurrent training as required and individualized retraining to ensure safe operations daily.
• Proactively study operations and utilize the Corrective Action process to minimize risk of errors or safety incidents.
• Complete Behavior Based Observations and any necessary Accident investigation, along with maintaining a building safety and security plan in compliance with company/client standards.
• Additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Effective Communication – clearly sharing information and expectations while actively listening to the team.
• Coaching and Development – supporting employee growth through training, mentoring, and feedback.
• Team Building: Fosters a positive and collaborative team environment to enhance productivity and morale.
• Accountability – holding oneself and team members responsible for meeting goals and following policies.
• Extensive working knowledge of warehouse operations (pallet in pallet out, pick and pack, material fulfillment, inventory management, Warehouse Management Systems and RF Equipment).
• Employee development and performance management skills.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Skilled in the use of computers, preferably in a PC, Windows-based operating environment, Microsoft Excel, and other data analysis tools.
• Must be adept at gathering information from various sources with the ability to analyze data and make recommendations for improvements.

Additional Qualifications and Experience:

• 5 years 3PL Warehouse Management Experience
• Occasional travel may be required for training, company events, or site visits.
• WMS and handheld scanner experience.
• Must obtain Industrial Truck Certification through in-house training.
• Must have experience operating forklifts and the ability to obtain Trainer certification.
• Willingness to work overtime, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Physical Demands, Ergonomics, and Working Conditions

• May be required to lift, move, and position products, furniture, and other materials weighing up to 75 pounds, independently or with assistance, using material handling equipment such as dollies, pallet jacks, and forklifts.
• Frequent use of hands, fingers, and wrists for keyboarding, data entry, document handling, and manual material handling activities.
• Must safely perform bending, reaching, pushing, pulling, twisting, and stooping while following established ergonomic practices, safe lifting procedures, and applicable safety requirements.
• Adherence to all required safety procedures and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety footwear and other site-specific protective equipment, as required.
• Work may involve exposure to varying environmental conditions, including temperature extremes, dust, fumes, odors, and elevated noise levels, as well as occasional lifting and operation of powered equipment.