Operations Manager

Operations Manager Advantus Corp - 3.6 Jacksonville, FL Job Details Full-time 16 hours ago Benefits Health savings account Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Flexible spending account Paid time off Vision insurance 401(k) matching Employee discount Flexible schedule Life insurance Referral program Retirement plan Qualifications Computer operation Operations management Customer returns handling Packing Forklift Warehouse management Bachelor's degree Team management Decision making Productivity software Pallet jack Freight Distribution center Cross-functional collaboration Data-driven decision making Cross-functional communication Senior leadership

Full Job Description Primary Function:

Reporting to the VP, Shared Services, the Operations Manager is responsible for managing, directing and organizing the assigned warehouse and distribution center locations. This role is accountable for the safe, efficient, and cost-effective management of all distribution center operations including inbound receiving, storage, order fulfillment, outbound shipping, inventory control, and workforce management.

Core Responsibilities:

Maintains receiving and operations by initiating, coordinating, and enforcing programs, operational, and personnel policies and procedures. Develops and implements best practices for increased labor productivity and operational efficiency. Manage expenses to meet and exceed P&L budget goals. Drive KPIs set forth by senior management; develop dashboards and scorecards to track and report performance metrics including accuracy, on-time shipment, and cost-per-unit. Interview, hire, and train employees; plan, assign, and direct work; appraise performance; reward and discipline employees; address complaints and resolve problems. Complies with federal, state, and local warehousing, material handling, and shipping requirements including OSHA, DOT, and hazardous materials regulations. Safeguards warehouse operations and contents by establishing and monitoring security procedures and protocols.

Distribution Center Operations:

Oversee all inbound and outbound logistics operations including scheduling, management, carrier coordination, and freight claims resolution. Direct order fulfillment operations — pick, pack, and ship — ensuring accuracy rates meet or exceed established targets (e.g., 99.5%+ order accuracy). Manage inventory control programs including cycle counts, annual physical inventory, shrinkage investigation, and reconciliation with ERP/WMS records. Lead WMS (Warehouse Management System) utilization, system configuration improvements, and staff training to maximize operational data integrity. Develop and execute slotting strategies to optimize warehouse layout, SKU velocity positioning, and space utilization. Partner with transportation and carrier teams to ensure on-time delivery performance; identify opportunities to reduce freight costs. Coordinate with procurement, demand planning, and customer service teams to align inbound receipts with outbound fulfillment needs. Manage reverse logistics and returns processing workflows, ensuring timely disposition of returned merchandise. Ensure proper handling and storage of all product categories including temperature-sensitive, oversize, and high-value items. Oversee seasonal surge planning, labor flex staffing, and peak-season readiness to maintain service levels during high-volume periods.

Safety & Compliance:

Champion a safety-first culture; lead safety committee participation, incident investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action programs. Ensure compliance with OSHA standards; conduct regular safety audits and maintain all required safety documentation and training records. Manage and enforce powered industrial equipment (PIE) certification programs for forklifts, order pickers, and reach trucks. Maintain all required DOT, FDA, or other regulatory compliance documentation relevant to distributed product categories. Coordinate with Risk Management on workers' compensation cases, light duty assignments, and return-to-work programs.

People Leadership & Development:

Build and maintain a high-performance team culture through consistent coaching, performance feedback, and recognition programs. Develop and execute training plans for warehouse associates, leads, and supervisors to build skills in safety, quality, and operational procedures. Manage supervisor and lead structures within the distribution center; define clear accountability at each level of the organization. Participate in workforce planning, succession planning, and talent development in partnership with Human Resources. Administer progressive discipline processes in alignment with company policy and employment law; partner with HR on complex employee relations matters.

Continuous Improvement & Technology:

Lead Lean/Six Sigma or continuous improvement initiatives to eliminate waste, reduce cycle times, and improve operational throughput. Analyze operational data to identify root causes of inefficiencies and drive corrective action. Evaluate and recommend automation and technology investments (conveyor systems, scanning, robotics, WMS upgrades) to improve productivity. Develop and maintain SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) for all major distribution center functions. Benchmark performance against industry standards and develop roadmaps for operational improvement.

Requirements:

Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business Administration, or related field; equivalent experience considered. 5+ years of progressive experience in distribution center, warehouse, or logistics operations management. Proven track record of managing large hourly workforces (50+ associates) in a fast-paced distribution environment. Experience with WMS (Warehouse Management Systems); familiarity with ERP systems (NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, or similar) preferred. Strong understanding of inbound/outbound logistics, inventory management, and supply chain principles. Excels in time management, multi-tasking, and balancing multiple priorities simultaneously. Demonstrates ability to follow directions and adjust to changing business priorities; rotates to other department functions as needed. Strong attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy and data integrity. Proficient personal computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite. Ability to work effectively under tight timelines in a dynamic, high-volume environment. Excellent problem-solving skills with a data-driven decision-making approach. Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across functions and leadership levels. OSHA 30-hour certification preferred; Lean/Six Sigma Green Belt or higher a plus. Certified in or ability to obtain forklift/PIE operator certification.

Other Job Demands:

Some overtime and Saturdays are required; flexibility to support peak periods, off-shifts, and weekend operations as needed. Willing and able to work in a hot and cold warehouse environment. Occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 75 lbs. Extended periods standing / walking / bending / stooping / kneeling on concrete floors. Must have the ability to safely and efficiently operate powered equipment, including pallet jacks and forklift trucks. Ability to be on-call or respond to facility needs outside of normal business hours.

Job Type:

Full-time Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee discount Flexible schedule Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Referral program Retirement plan Vision insurance Application Question(s): What is the total # of employees overseen at any one time? Are you willing to relocate to Jacksonville, FL? (Yes, No or N/A) What is your desired payrate?

Education:

Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

Warehouse management: 5 years (Required) Senior leadership: 3 years (Required)

Work Location:

In person