Operations Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

Clowe & Cowan of El Paso, LLC is a wholesale distributor serving industrial, commercial, and municipal markets throughout the Southwest and the Republic of Mexico. The company represents major brands of pumping equipment, water and wastewater technologies, and related components for demanding technical applications. With over 50 years of experience, Clowe & Cowan has earned the trust of national and international clients who depend on reliable products and expert support. In addition to distribution, the company delivers turnkey solutions, field work support, and service and repair, offering comprehensive lifecycle services for customers’ systems.

Position Summary

The Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operational functions including EHS, facility and equipment maintenance, warehouse operations, logistics, and customer support. This role ensures safe, efficient, and reliable operations that support sales, service, and distribution of pumps, waterworks products, and related equipment. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with operational experience in industrial or mechanical environments, strong organizational skills, and the ability to build effective relationships across teams and with customers.

Operational Leadership

·       Oversee daily operations across the warehouse, service area, equipment handling, and logistics.

·       Ensure operational efficiency, accuracy, and quality across all departments.

·       Develop and implement processes to improve productivity, safety, and customer satisfaction.

·       Coordinate with Sales, Service, Purchasing, and Accounting to support overall business objectives.

EHS (Environmental, Health & Safety) Management

·       Lead all safety initiatives and ensure compliance with company policies, OSHA standards, and applicable regulations.

·       Conduct safety meetings, audits, and risk assessments.

·       Maintain documentation, incident reports, and emergency response procedures.

·       Promote a strong safety culture throughout the organization.

Facility & Equipment Management

·       Oversee building maintenance including utilities, infrastructure, HVAC, security, and cleanliness.

·       Manage maintenance and inspection programs for material-handling equipment, service tools, forklifts, trucks, and shop machinery.

·       Coordinate with vendors, contractors, and service providers for repairs or upgrades.

Warehouse & Inventory Management

·       Manage warehouse operations including receiving, picking, staging, and shipping equipment and waterworks products.

·       Ensure proper inventory control, accuracy, and cycle counts.

·       Oversee warehouse layout, organization, material flow, and storage locations for maximum efficiency.

·       Maintain and continuously improve warehouse location structure, bin management, and inventory organization.

·       Establish, monitor, and optimize inventory minimums, maximums, safety stock levels, and reorder quantities to support customer demand and inventory performance.

·       Support timely order fulfillment, will-call needs, and customer pick-ups.

·       Utilize inventory and operational data to improve inventory turns, warehouse utilization, and service levels.

Team Leadership & Development

• Supervise Warehouse Associates, Drivers, Technicians, and other operational staff.
• Supervise and coordinate service technicians and field service crews to ensure efficient scheduling, resource allocation, and project completion.
• Provide training, coaching, and performance evaluations.
• Ensure efficient staffing levels and effective scheduling.
• Promote teamwork and a positive work environment.
• Foster accountability, safety, quality workmanship, and customer service excellence throughout the operations team.

Process & Continuous Improvement

• Evaluate existing operational workflows and implement improvements in efficiency, cost control, and quality.
• Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) and ensure adherence across teams.
• Monitor KPIs related to warehouse performance, inventory accuracy, safety, on-time delivery, and overall operational metrics.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives related to warehouse organization, inventory management, replenishment processes, and material flow.
• Utilize ERP and Warehouse Management System data to identify opportunities for operational improvements and increased efficiency.
• Support ongoing optimization of inventory stocking strategies, including location management, reorder points, minimums, maximums, and safety stock levels.

ERP & Warehouse Systems Management

• Lead the effective utilization of ERP systems (such as Sage 100 or similar platforms) to support inventory management, purchasing, warehouse operations, and reporting.
• Support and coordinate the implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), including ScanForce or similar barcode-based inventory solutions.
• Ensure accurate transaction processing and data integrity across ERP and WMS platforms.
• Train and support operational personnel on ERP and WMS processes and best practices.
• Collaborate with Purchasing, Accounting, and Sales departments to improve system utilization and operational visibility.

Qualifications

·       Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, Industrial Management, Engineering, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.

·       5–7+ years of operations, warehouse, or manufacturing leadership experience.

·       Knowledge of pumps, waterworks products, mechanical equipment, or industrial components preferred.

·       Understanding of EHS regulations and best practices (OSHA experience required).

·       Experience managing a multi-functional team in a fast-paced industrial environment.

·       Strong mechanical aptitude and comfort working around industrial equipment.

·       Proficiency with ERP/warehouse management systems and Microsoft Office.

Skills & Competencies

·       Strong leadership and team development abilities

·       Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

·       Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities

·       Customer-first mindset with professionalism in all interactions

·       Knowledge of warehouse logistics, inventory control, and material handling

·       Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities

·       High level of organization and attention to detail

·       Bilingual (Spanish/English) a plus

Clowe & Cowan of El Paso, LLC is a wholesale distributor serving industrial, commercial, and municipal markets across the Southwest and the Republic of Mexico. The company represents major brands of pumping equipment, water and wastewater technologies, and related components. With over 50 years of experience, Clowe & Cowan has earned the trust of highly technical industries nationally and internationally. In addition to product distribution, the company offers turn-key solutions, field work support, and service and repair, providing customers with comprehensive project support.

Company Description

Clowe & Cowan of El Paso, LLC is a wholesale distributor serving industrial, commercial, and municipal markets across the Southwest and the Republic of Mexico. The company represents major brands of pumping equipment, water and wastewater technologies, and related components. With over 50 years of experience, Clowe & Cowan has earned the trust of highly technical industries nationally and internationally. In addition to product distribution, the company offers turn-key solutions, field work support, and service and repair, providing customers with comprehensive project support.