Director of Warehouse Operations

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Director of Warehouse Operations

Full Time Management IRVING, TX, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 1012

Job Title: Director of Warehouse Operations

Department: Warehouse Operations

Reports To: Vice President of Operations

Location: Irving, Texas – with regular travel to sister company locations

FLSA Status: Exempt

Supervises: Facilities Manager, Warehouse Supervisors, Inventory Control, Warehouse Systems Analyst

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Warehouse Operations leads all warehouse, inventory, and distribution center activities for Om Produce and provides operational oversight and support to its sister companies, including Best Foods (NJ). This leader is responsible for the safe, efficient, and food-safe handling of fresh produce from receiving through shipping, maintaining cold chain integrity, maximizing inventory accuracy, and building consistent standards, systems, and teams across every site. The position is based in Irving, Texas and requires regular travel (up to 30–40%) to sister company facilities to audit operations, standardize processes, lead improvement projects, and develop site leadership.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Warehouse Operations Leadership

• Direct day-to-day receiving, put-away, storage, picking, loading, cross-docking, and shipping operations to meet customer, quality, and on-time delivery targets.
• Establish staffing models, shift structures, and labor plans that align with seasonal volume swings and daily order demand.
• Set, track, and report KPIs including order accuracy, on-time shipping, cases per labor hour, inventory accuracy, shrink, and dock turnaround.
• Manage the warehouse operating budget, labor costs.
• Monitor operational KPIs across receiving, shipping, order processing.
• Optimize the flow of goods from receiving to delivery, reducing waste, errors, and operating costs at every stage.
• Periodically review operational policies, procedures, and best practices to identify and implement process improvements.
• Serve as the escalation point for equipment, trailer, and truck-related issues, including approving upgrades and tools.

Produce and Grocery

• Oversee inventory management and quality control for produce and grocery items, ensuring freshness and consistent product quality.
• Adjust inventory levels based on business demand to minimize waste while maintaining customer satisfaction.
• Review reporting and partner with logistics, purchasing, and sales to improve efficiency and reduce shrink.

Multi-Site Oversight & Sister Company Support

• Travel regularly to sister company facilities, to assess operations, conduct site audits, and identify gaps in process, safety, and performance.
• Develop and roll out standard operating procedures (SOPs) that create consistency across all warehouse locations while accounting for site-specific needs.
• Coach and support site managers and supervisors at sister companies; lead on-site training and implementation of new processes and systems.
• Coordinate inventory transfers and shared resources between locations to balance supply and reduce product loss.
• Serve as on-site leadership during facility launches, system go-lives, peak seasons, audits, or operational disruptions at any location.

Inventory Control & Systems

• Oversee inventory control programs, including cycle counts, FIFO/FEFO rotation, lot tracking, and reconciliation, to maintain inventory accuracy across all sites.
• Partner with the Warehouse Systems Analyst and IT on WMS/ERP configuration, slotting, pick path optimization, and reporting.
• Use data and reporting to drive decisions on space utilization, labor productivity, and product flow.

Food Safety, Quality & Cold Chain

• Maintain cold chain integrity through temperature monitoring, cooler and ripening room management, and proper handling of perishable product.
• Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, PACA, and customer requirements; maintain audit readiness for SQF and other third‑party food safety audits.
• Provide executive oversight of the SQF system, including food safety plans, quality plans, HACCP programs, GMPs, and required documentation, in partnership with the SQF Practitioner.
• Maintain traceability and recall readiness, including lot‑level records and mock recall participation.
• Partner with Quality Assurance on receiving inspections, rejections, and product disposition.
• Lead quality investigations and customer complaint resolution, ensuring timely corrective actions and system improvements.

Safety & Compliance

• Champion a strong safety culture; ensure compliance with OSHA standards, proper PPE use, powered industrial truck (forklift) training and certification, and company safety policies.
• Conduct or direct regular safety inspections and risk assessments; develop emergency and contingency plans for all sites.
• Lead incident investigations and corrective actions; support the facility Emergency Response Plan.
• Coordinate with Transportation on dock scheduling, load planning, and DOT‑related requirements affecting warehouse operations.
• Direct and support the Facilities Manager in carrying out facility, maintenance, sanitation, and SQF‑related programs.
• Ensure facilities are safe, functional, and compliant with health standards, safety regulations, and building codes.
• Plan warehouse layouts and space utilization to support efficient workflows, particularly order processing.
• Drive energy efficiency and environmentally friendly practices to reduce costs and environmental impact.
• Recruit, train, develop, and retain warehouse leaders and team members; build a bench of future leaders across all sites.
• Hold regular meetings with managers, supervisors, and leads to drive accountability across order processing, shipping, receiving, quality, and maintenance.
• Ensure training programs are in place for warehouse, repack, and maintenance staff to build skills and food safety knowledge.
• Conduct performance reviews, set goals, and address performance and conduct issues in partnership with HR.
• Promote Om Produce's core values – Heart. Home. Hustle. – and foster a respectful, accountable, and engaged workplace.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• 10+ years of warehouse or distribution center experience, including 5+ years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven experience managing multiple facilities or supporting multi‑site operations.
• Strong working knowledge of WMS/ERP systems, inventory control practices, and warehouse KPIs.
• Working knowledge of FDA, SQF, HACCP, GMPs, food safety audit standards, OSHA requirements, and cold chain best practices.
• Ability to travel up to 30–40%, including overnight and multi‑day trips, sometimes on short notice.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel by air.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations Management, Business, or related field.
• Experience in fresh produce, perishable food, or temperature‑controlled distribution.
• SQF Practitioner or HACCP certification.
• Leadership and team development across multiple locations
• Process improvement and change management
• Data‑driven decision making and budget management
• Clear communication and coaching, both on‑site and remotely
• Problem solving under time‑sensitive, perishable‑product conditions

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Work is performed in both office and warehouse settings, including refrigerated coolers and freezers with temperatures that may range from 32°F to 40°F or below.
• Exposure to moving equipment such as forklifts and pallet jacks, loading docks, and varying noise levels.
• Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods and occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
• Flexible schedule required, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays during peak seasons or operational needs.