Operations Manager

Operations Manager – Grand Rapids Market

About Us

Since 1914, LaGrasso Bros. Produce has grown from a single pushcart into one of Michigan and Northern Ohio’s most respected foodservice produce distributors. Still family-owned and now led by the fourth generation of the LaGrasso family, we are committed to quality, reliability, and exceptional customer service.

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Position Summary

We are seeking a hands-on Operations Manager to lead our Grand Rapids market. This individual will manage local route drivers, oversee daily deliveries and equipment, maintain strong customer relationships, and help develop new accounts.

Our routes depart from the Grand Rapids yard between 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday The Operations Manager must be consistently active and available during these early-morning hours to support drivers, resolve problems, and ensure routes leave safely and on time.

Key Responsibilities

• Recruit, hire, train, schedule, supervise, and retain Grand Rapids–based route drivers.
• Coach employees, manage performance and discipline, and handle terminations in coordination with company leadership.
• Oversee early-morning route departures, driver coverage, delivery performance, and daily operational issues.
• Ensure customers receive dependable, accurate, and professional service.
• Resolve delivery problems, shortages, returns, complaints, and other customer concerns.
• Build strong relationships with existing customers and help identify and onboard new accounts.
• Manage tractors, trailers, refrigeration equipment, and other operational assets.
• Assist in coordinating inspections, preventive maintenance, repairs, and emergency service.
• Promote compliance with company policies, food-safety standards, and applicable DOT and FMCSA requirements.
• Monitor safety, labor, overtime, fuel, fleet expenses, and route efficiency.
• Respond to accidents, breakdowns, severe weather, staffing shortages, and other operational disruptions.
• Communicate regularly with sales, transportation, and leadership at the Detroit facility.

Qualifications

• Operations, transportation, logistics, distribution, or route-management experience.
• Previous experience supervising drivers or frontline operational employees.
• Strong leadership, customer-service, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Working knowledge of fleet maintenance, transportation safety, and DOT requirements.
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.
• A CDL Class A license is a significant advantage and is strongly preferred.
• Foodservice or wholesale produce experience is helpful but not required.

Schedule and Work Expectations

• Regular availability during the 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. route-departure window is required.
• Additional early-morning, daytime, weekend, or holiday availability may be necessary based on operational needs.
• The position requires travel throughout the Grand Rapids market and occasional travel to Detroit.
• The role includes working around trucks, loading areas, and refrigerated environments.

What Success Looks Like

• The successful Operations Manager will ensure routes leave safely and on time, drivers meet performance expectations, equipment remains operational, customer concerns are handled quickly, and the Grand Rapids market continues to retain and grow its customer base.