DISTRIBUTION MANAGER at Trilliant Food & Nutrition, LLC in Little Chute, Wisconsin

Job Description:

Position Summary:
Responsible for all aspects of warehousing operations for company operated distribution centers as well as the selection and management of distribution centers operated by 3 PLs and transportation partners.

Management of all aspects of warehousing, distribution and transportation for all sales channels including inventory planning, accuracy and age management; liaison with customers including planning and issue resolution; set policy and provide guidelines internally and to 3PLs; development and execution of contract warehousing and transportation needs; and vendor performance and audits.

Responsibilities Include:
· Build and manage a strong network of distribution warehouses, both company operated and contracted to meet business demands and ensure service levels that meet expectations.
· Inventory accuracy to include proper age rotation and date code integrity.
· Negotiate and maintain warehousing and distribution center contacts.

Performance tracking of all distribution facilities against key metrics. Partner with Quality in supplier deficiency improvement process, problem-cause identification and correction, and customer complaint resolution, etc.
E-commerce fulfillment process excellence and development

· Design and implement innovative warehousing and distribution programs and processes.
· Author and monitor the annual warehousing budget and transportation.
· Inbound and outbound transportation management from/to production and distribution facilities.
· Manage and develop warehouse and distribution center team.
· Ensure that systems and procedures are in place to enable full trace of all production in the case of a food safety or other product recall. This includes product residing in third party warehouses, contract manufacturers or co-packers.
· Reviews weekly sales and finished goods inventory data in partnership with other operations or customer service team members to adjust plans as needed to respond effectively to unexpected sales trends and/or inventory balances.
· Assists in long-range capacity studies to determine requirements for new equipment and facilities.
· Coordination of product deployment from internal or 3rd party manufacturing locations to distribution centers in accordance with overall planning strategies.
· Participate in sales forecasting and planning cross-functional process.
· Design and management of an optimal space and storage plan for existing and new warehouse facilities.
· Monitor product age ensuring product freshness. Communicate to Marketing, Sales, and Finance age issues or concerns.
· Manage logistics for new product introductions, restages and discontinuations. Ensure supply chain considerations are included in project plan.
· Direct and coordinate the carrier selection process to assure that pricing activities are consistent and supportive of service level objectives.

Ensure ERP system data management, integrity, and maintenance for assigned area.

Responsible for generating current and accurate carrier contracts and facility routing guides. Maintain hard-copy rates in carrier contract books for auditing purposes, if required.
Develop pricing for supply offerings such as factory direct, modular pallets, and customer pickup shipments. Using transportation expenses as a guide recommend the process for Customer Returns and Sample order shipments.
Oversee and manage the activities relating to loss/damage claims in partnership with customer service. The specific activities include the investigation, timely filing and collection of the claims.
Assist in periodic (quarterly) financial projections as well as the annual planning process.

· Identify opportunities to improve current processes include cost, quality, safety and services metrics improvement.

Define department roles and responsibilities and select, train, develop and manage logistics team across multiple facilities.
Perform all other duties, responsibilities, and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications:
· Bachelor's degree in operations, business or related field.
· 3+ years of managerial experience including defining roles, hiring, employee development and day to day management of a warehouse team in a production environment.
· 5+ years hands-on logistics planning experience in a food industry or related manufacturing facility.
· Microsoft AX ERP system experience a plus.
· Track record of successfully selecting, planning and implementing new 3rd party vendor (warehouse, transportation, etc.) relationships including day to day vendor management experience.
· Experience starting up new internal warehousing including design, planning and execution while meeting service, quality and cost requirements.

Knowledge of food packaging principles, food industry quality and food safety requirements, and new product scale up dynamics.

· Demonstrated strength in process improvement, SOP documentation and warehouse employee training.
· Experience in managing information within and ERP system.
· Possesses understanding of the basics of change management.

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, projects and simultaneous user needs.
Strong project management skills
Attention to detail.
Strong interpersonal skills. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate well cross-functionally and work well at all levels of the organization.

· Strong analytical skills, troubleshooting and judgment skills.

Results driven.
Team player able to work well with others and contribute to a positive work environment.

· Solid computer skills including Microsoft Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and related production and product information systems.

Desire to work in a fast paced high growth environment.

· Must be willing to be a hands-on performer and spend significant time on the plant production floor and warehouse and provide supervisory coverage and support across shifts as needed for warehouse teams.


Benefits & Compensation: We offer a competitive base salary and a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees.