Distribution Director jobs in Mississippi

The shift is to be determined. 

SUMMARY:  Directs, manages and has overall responsibility for warehouse activities to ensure the highest level of customer service, accuracy, expense control, productivity and overall efficiency is obtained in an automated grocery distribution center.  Oversees transportation and all inbound and outbound activities in an efficient and appropriate manner to meet the needs of members and the goals of AWG.  Collaboration and support of division, VMC, and AWG goals and initiatives is essential.  Provide a safe, productive, and positive work environment ensuring an atmosphere of open and honest communications at all levels within the distribution center.

This position supports AWG’s mission to remain firmly committed to our long-established mission statement: 

“Our mission is to ensure the success of our member retailers and provide opportunities to our employees. This will be accomplished by satisfying the customers’, and our member retailers’, needs for quality supermarket merchandise and superior support services. We will do this with high quality employees whose mission is to provide the lowest possible cost of goods in order to ensure our members profitability, competiveness and continued growth.”

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  The individual must have the ability to perform the responsibilities listed below. The list is not all inclusive of duties that may be requested by the department head or a member of upper management but are intended for an understanding of the purpose of the position. It is the responsibility of each individual at AWG to provide ultimate customer service to our members to support their efforts in increasing same store sales and profits.

1. Manage operating budget and monitor all P&L lines for their areas of responsibility to assure compliance and meeting established goals.
2. Establish and direct the development and adherence to standard operating procedures.
3. Work collaboratively with the other disciplines within the facility.
4. Work with all 3rd parties and outside contractors.
5. Direct and coordinate activities of distribution center with activities of member services, customer service and procurement to ensure availability of merchandise.
6. Direct non-production distribution activities to balance the needs of the members and AWG, providing prompt and efficient customer service.
7. Hire, train and develop staff and develop a succession plan. Provide performance appraisals, guidance, recognition and employee development activities.
8. Increase production and effectively utilize the distribution center employees to maximize efficiency and reduce distribution center operating expenses.
9. Oversee the resolution of employee complaints or grievances and all disciplinary actions to ensure proper steps are followed.
10. Coordinate with Human Resources to ensure that all AWG programs, policies and procedures are followed, comply with all governmental regulations.
11. Will step-in for the VP of Distribution in their absence.
12. Monitor all state, federal, and AWG safety and sanitation policies for compliance.
13. Work as a member of the AWG team so the total job responsibilities are met. Actions must always stress a sense of cooperation, integrity, tact and consideration with our members, associates and division management.
14. This position requires strong communication and computer skills with the ability to use and learn new technology.  Management will be kept informed on planning, analysis, work performed and results. All records required by management must be complete, accurate and submitted on time. 
15. Ensure the creation of a positive work environment in union facilities by appropriately administering the bargaining agreement and in union-free facilities by providing an open door and positive employee relations.
16. Management of CAP EX.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. A reasonable accommodation may be considered according to the ADA if it would not impose an undue hardship on the operations of the business without significant difficulty or expense.  The reasonable accommodation would permit a qualified employee the ability to perform all essential functions of the job within the safety and contractual guidelines of the position.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Degree or equivalent; 10 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.  Must have experience working with 3rd parties.  Automation experience strongly preferred.  Must have the ability to run a 24x7 operation.  Experience with facility start-ups is strongly preferred. Experience in relocating a facility is strongly preferred.  Working knowledge of warehouse management systems is strongly preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:  Ability to read, write and speak English language. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:  Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Ability to compile and administer a department budget.

REASONING ABILITY:  Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.  Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form.  Ability to reason with employees and vendors.  Negotiating skills beneficial.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Valid Driver’s License.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:  Knowledge of company policy and procedures.  Knowledge of products, accounting principles, communication skills, warehouse functions, billing and receiving procedures.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finer, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Employee must be able to climb stairs to a height of 80 feet

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the job duties, the employee is occasionally exposed to extreme cold in the coolers or freezer.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to occasionally loud.  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.

This position uses all available resources to guide the Distribution Department to continuous growth and financial success for the company.