Operations Process Manager (Distribution Center)

Operations Process Manager – Distribution Center

Position Overview

The Operations Process Manager is responsible for driving continuous improvement, process optimization, and operational excellence across a high-volume Food & Beverage Distribution Center, including warehouse, logistics, transportation, and traffic operations.

This position leads the analysis, standardization, implementation, and continuous improvement of operational processes to increase productivity, efficiency, service levels, capacity, quality, safety, and cost effectiveness. The role works closely with Distribution Center leadership and cross-functional teams to identify opportunities, implement sustainable solutions, and establish a culture of continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on, data-driven process leader with strong knowledge of warehouse and logistics operations and proven experience implementing Lean and continuous improvement methodologies.

Primary Responsibilities

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

- Lead the continuous improvement agenda across warehouse, logistics, traffic, and distribution operations.

- Identify process inefficiencies, bottlenecks, waste, and cost-reduction opportunities.

- Lead Lean, Kaizen, 5S, root-cause analysis, standard work, and process improvement initiatives.

- Facilitate cross-functional improvement projects and ensure successful implementation and sustainability.

- Establish and maintain a structured pipeline of continuous improvement projects.

- Develop and implement standardized operating processes and best practices.

- Measure the impact of improvements through productivity, service, quality, and financial metrics.

- Promote a continuous improvement culture throughout the Distribution Center.

Warehouse Process Management

- Review and optimize processes including:

Receiving and unloading

- Put-away and replenishment

- Inventory movement

- Picking and order fulfillment

- Staging

- Loading and shipping

- Returns and reverse logistics

- Analyze workflow, labor utilization, process cycle times, and warehouse capacity.

- Identify opportunities to improve labor productivity, throughput, space utilization, inventory flow, and order accuracy.

- Establish and maintain standard operating procedures and work instructions.

- Partner with Warehouse Operations leadership to ensure processes are consistently executed.

- Support optimization of WMS functionality and warehouse processes.

Logistics & Traffic Process Improvement

- Analyze and improve transportation and traffic processes, including load planning, scheduling, dock management, carrier coordination, and shipment execution.

- Improve trailer utilization, dock throughput, transportation efficiency, and turnaround times.

- Identify opportunities to reduce transportation costs, detention, waiting time, and unnecessary movements.

- Partner with Traffic and Transportation teams to improve on-time shipment and delivery performance.

- Support optimization of TMS processes and transportation workflows.

- Develop standardized processes and performance expectations for transportation operations.

Process Standardization

- Document current and future-state processes using process maps, SOPs, and standard work.

- Establish clear process ownership, controls, performance expectations, and escalation procedures.

- Ensure operational processes are aligned across shifts, departments, and facilities where applicable.

- Conduct process audits to identify gaps and ensure compliance with established standards.

- Drive consistency and scalability of best practices across the Distribution Center.

Data & Performance Management

- Develop and maintain operational dashboards and performance reports.

- Analyze data to identify trends, root causes, and opportunities for improvement.

- Establish KPIs and performance targets for key operational processes.

- Monitor metrics such as:

Warehouse productivity

- Labor efficiency

- Order accuracy

- Throughput

- Cycle time

- On-time shipping

- Dock utilization

- Trailer turnaround

- Transportation cost

- Overtime

- Inventory accuracy

- Process adherence

- Translate operational data into actionable improvement plans.

- Quantify the financial and operational benefits of improvement initiatives.

Project Management

- Lead cross-functional process improvement projects from opportunity identification through implementation.

- Develop project plans, timelines, milestones, responsibilities, and success criteria.

- Coordinate with Operations, Warehouse, Traffic, Transportation, Supply Chain, IT, Finance, Maintenance, Quality, and Safety.

- Manage multiple improvement initiatives simultaneously while maintaining clear priorities.

- Communicate project status, risks, results, and financial impact to leadership.

Systems & Technology

- Partner with IT and Operations to improve utilization of WMS, TMS, ERP, and other operational systems.

- Identify opportunities to use technology, automation, and digital tools to simplify and improve processes.

- Participate in system enhancements, testing, implementation, and process validation.

- Ensure system capabilities are aligned with operational requirements and future growth.

Key Performance Indicators

The Operations Process Manager will be measured by improvements in:

- Warehouse productivity

- Labor efficiency and cost

- Distribution center throughput

- Order fulfillment accuracy

- On-time shipment performance

- Transportation efficiency

- Dock and trailer turnaround time

- Inventory accuracy

- Process cycle time

- Overtime reduction

- Space utilization

- Safety and quality performance

- Continuous improvement savings

- Project completion and sustainability

- ROI of improvement initiatives

Qualifications

Education

- Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations Management, Business, or related field.

- Lean Six Sigma certification preferred.

- Project Management certification is a plus.

Experience

- 5–8+ years of experience in process improvement, operations, distribution, logistics, warehouse, supply chain, or related environments.

- Experience in Food & Beverage, FMCG, Consumer Goods, or high-volume distribution operations strongly preferred.

- Proven experience leading continuous improvement initiatives in warehouse and/or transportation environments.

- Experience with WMS, TMS, ERP, and operational reporting systems.

- Experience working with cross-functional teams and frontline operational personnel.

- Demonstrated ability to convert operational problems into measurable process improvements.

Technical Skills

- Lean / Six Sigma methodologies

- Kaizen and continuous improvement

- Process mapping and standard work

- Root Cause Analysis

- KPI development and performance management

- Warehouse operations

- Logistics and transportation processes

- WMS / TMS / ERP systems

- Advanced Excel

- Power BI or similar analytics tools

- Project management

- Data analysis and visualization

- SOP development and process documentation

Core Competencies

- Continuous improvement mindset

- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

- Process-oriented thinking

- Operational discipline

- Data-driven decision making

- Project leadership

- Change management

- Strong communication skills

- Cross-functional collaboration

- Ability to influence without direct authority

- Hands-on leadership style

- Strong sense of urgency

- Results-oriented approach

Leadership & Collaboration

The Operations Process Manager serves as a key continuous improvement partner to Distribution Center leadership, working closely with operational leaders and frontline teams to identify opportunities and implement practical, sustainable solutions.

The successful candidate must be comfortable spending significant time on the warehouse floor and within transportation and traffic operations, observing processes, engaging employees, identifying root causes, and driving improvements.

This position requires the ability to balance strategic process improvement with hands-on operational execution, ensuring that improvements deliver measurable and sustainable business results.

Work Environment

- Primarily based within a high-volume Food & Beverage Distribution Center.

- Frequent presence in warehouse, loading dock, traffic, transportation, and operational areas.

- May work in varying temperature environments depending on warehouse operations.

- Requires interaction with employees and leaders across all levels of the organization.

- Occasional travel to other Distribution Centers, suppliers, carriers, or operational locations may be required.