Distribution Center Assistant Manager | Lake Forest

ABOUT ALBERT USTER IMPORTS

Albert Uster Imports, Inc. (“AUI”) is a privately held gourmet food company headquartered in the Washington, DC area (Gaithersburg, MD) with warehouse locations in Kansas City, Las Vegas, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Gurnee and Gaithersburg. AUI falls under the Vestar Capital Partners portfolio with affiliate organization, Roland Foods, LLC.

Founded in 1968, the company offers over 1,400 products from around the world. We serve leading hotels, restaurants, casinos, cruise lines, airlines, and manufacturers with innovative, high quality products and solutions to their most demanding culinary challenges. We operate a network of distribution centers across the U.S. and serve select international markets as well. AUI has a national direct selling organization of over 60 sales professionals and a staff of culinary experts (chefs and food scientists) adept at custom product solutions.

***Albert Uster Imports Inc. is proud to offer a competitive performance-based bonus structure during employment. The monthly bonuses will be based on the achievement of key performance indicators and the overall performance of the business. ***

ABOUT THE ROLE

Albert Uster Imports is in search of an Assistant Distribution Center Manager in our Lake Forest Warehouse. The Assistant Manager will assist the Distribution Center Manager (DCM) with all aspects of the warehouse day-to-day operations of the facility, including Shipping, Receiving, Inventory Management, and Customer Service. The individual in this role will work to meet established metrics for all areas of the warehouse operation. They will be responsible for the overall training and development of the DC Team Members and will constantly work toward cost reduction through increased efficiency and innovation. The Assistant Manager must be able to manage the Distribution Center operations in its entirety in the absence of the DCM.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Warehouse Management

• Assures warehouse expenses are managed within budget (freight spend and supplies)
• Manages the overall warehouse and facility to the Company’s satisfaction
• Assist the Distribution Center Manager with all facilities related issues, to include periodic inspections

Warehouse Physical Facility & Perimeter Management

• Maintains security of inventories
• Maintain a clean, safe, and hygienic environment both within the warehousing area, dock areas, reefers and freezers and around the perimeter of the building, ensuring proper sweeping, mopping, and trash pickup
• Ensures conformance to and compliance with governmental regulations
• Conducts daily inspection of the warehouse work areas and corrects/reports findings
• Ensures all equipment (fixed and non-fixed) and work areas are in safe and working order

Transfer Management

• Ensures all required transfers are processed and shipped per established company guidelines
• Ensures accuracy of transfer and makes sure that all items are staged, scanned, and double-checked before posting
• Responsible for seeking approval for all changes
• Ensures timely receiving of inbound transfers; scanned and put away upon physical receipt, per established company guidelines

Stock Maintenance

• Working with the Receiving Lead, ensure the timely receipt of all Inbound Transfers and Purchase Orders following specified temperature guidelines per AUI’s Safety Plan.
• Jointly responsible for restocking and inventory disposition activity (dispose or donate); responsible for 100% adherence to established processes
• Rotate/Replenish Stock (FIFO)
• Ensure accuracy of locations, Lot Tracking, and home location administration
• Manage “cycle counts” activity to ensure inventory accuracy
• Re-barcode when necessary
• Ensure that stock is properly stored and protected
• Report non-conforming products to Purchasing for stock adjustments. Move identified products to designated locations
• Perform weekly inspection of all inventory items and report any issues, such as overstock and short-stocked items
• Participate in Physical Inventories and maintain inventory accuracy within established budget guidelines

Order Fulfillment

• Ensure all customer orders received before the cut-off time are processed and shipped on the same day
• Interact with Customer Experience Specialists on all issues (routing, freight claims, OS&D, etc.)
• Ensure steps are taken to mitigate shipping errors; facilitate retraining as needed
• Ensure all pulled items are Scanned (checked)
• Ensure packaging procedures are followed while ensuring; proper usage of supplies, sized boxes (for both weight and dimension), and proper labeling of products requiring special handling
• Ensure all necessary business needs communication is provided to carriers
• Achieve a thorough knowledge of both FedEx and UPS Manifest systems
• Achieve a good understanding of how to manage shipping activity with freight companies
• Set daily pickup appointments with LTL carriers – use of a Transportation Management System is required
• Demonstrate knowledge of LTL carriers both dry and refrigerated
• Work closely with Common Carriers (UPS&FDX) to schedule late pickups and/or midday pick-up sweeps
• Plan for, and communicate business trends to DC Personnel and Carrier companies, to ensure “on-time” shipping performance
• Track/Trace/Research Shipment Issues as requested
• Provide Proof of Delivery from all carrier partners as may be requested
• Provide End of Day reporting - monitors activity in the DC and communicates performance to the business as required

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Required

• 4 years of working experience in warehousing, logistics, and/or other related fields
• Ability to lead and supervise employees; must have the ability to communicate, both actively, and proactively
• Forklift certification
• Knowledge of modern warehousing techniques including logistics, special handling/storage requirements, and shipping alternatives
• Ability to establish priorities, work independently, and proceed to objectives without supervision; ability to handle and resolve recurring problems
• Must be willing to work overtime, holidays, and weekends as workload dictates
• Physical requirements (lifting, etc.): The ability to lift 50 lbs.

Preferred

• High school diploma

SALARY RANGE

Albert Uster Imports hires exceptional people to perform a wide variety of important functions that contribute to the success of the Company. One of the ways AUI does that is through a competitive compensation package. The base salary for this role will be $65,000 - $73,000.

This role will be bonus eligible.

Based on your qualifications, previous experience, and transferrable skills, the Company will determine at its sole discretion, the salary offered.

Founded by immigrants, AUI & Roland Foods knows that diversity is the spice of life. We believe in the power of food to open minds, spark adventure, and bring diverse people together.  All are welcome at our table! We know the transformative value of food in individual lives and communities. Because of this, we insist on obtaining the highest-quality ingredients and talent!

AUI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or any employment decision based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or other applicable legally protected characteristic. AUI considers qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. AUI is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at View email address on secure.auifinefoods.com .

Please read Albert Uster Import’s California Job Applicant Privacy Policy here .

Authenticity in the Hiring Process: Use of AI and Assistive Technology

At Albert Uster Imports, people review every application, resume, and assessment. We value authentic, accurate representations of each candidate's experience and qualifications.

Candidates may use AI tools for support purposes (such as grammar, formatting, or accessibility needs), but application materials, assessment responses, and interview discussions should reflect the candidate's own work, knowledge, and abilities. Excessive reliance on AI or the use of AI to misrepresent qualifications or complete assessments on a candidate's behalf may result in removal from consideration.

If you require AI or other assistive technology as a reasonable accommodation, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at  View email address on secure.auifinefoods.com . We are committed to providing an accessible and equitable hiring experience for all candidates.