Operations Manager

Operations Manager

• Chicago, IL

• The Operations Manager is responsible for leading day-to-day operations within a highly complex temperature-controlled warehouse environment. This role provides leadership across multiple operational functions, including warehousing, distribution, transportation support, inventory management, fulfillment, value-added services, and customer-specific programs. The Operations Manager oversees multiple teams and leaders while driving operational excellence, safety, customer satisfaction, productivity, and financial performance. This position plays a critical role in supporting business growth, onboarding new customers, implementing process improvements, and ensuring service levels are consistently achieved across a diverse customer portfolio. The ideal candidate is a proven leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, effectively manages competing priorities, develops high-performing teams, and delivers exceptional customer service.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead and develop supervisors, warehouse managers, leads, and frontline associates across multiple

operational departments and shifts.

• Drive a culture of safety, food safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement

throughout the facility.

• Manage daily warehouse operations including receiving, storage, shipping, inventory control,

fulfillment, repack, and value-added services.

• Partner with customers and internal stakeholders to ensure operational requirements and service

expectations are consistently achieved.

• Monitor facility performance through key operational metrics, labor management, productivity

reporting, and customer KPIs.

• Identify and implement process improvements that increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve

service performance.

• Develop staffing plans and labor strategies that align with business demands and seasonal

fluctuations.

• Support customer onboarding initiatives, operational transitions, and new business implementation

activities.

• Ensure compliance with all company policies, food safety requirements, regulatory standards, and

customer-specific requirements.

• Lead performance management activities, including coaching, training, employee development,

corrective action, and succession planning.

• Collaborate with maintenance, quality assurance, transportation, and customer service teams to

drive operational success.

• Participate in budgeting, forecasting, and cost management initiatives to support facility

financial objectives.

• Maintain a strong floor presence and actively engage with employees, customers, and operational

leaders throughout the facility.

• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent work experience considered.

• 5+ years of progressive operations leadership experience in warehousing, distribution,

manufacturing, logistics, or supply chain operations.

• Experience managing leaders, supervisors, and large frontline employee populations.

• Experience within a food, beverage, cold chain, or temperature-controlled environment preferred.

• Demonstrated success managing complex customer requirements, service-level expectations, and

operational performance metrics.

• Experience with warehouse management systems (WMS), inventory management, and labor planning.

• Exceptional leadership and team development skills with strong operational and business acumen.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and drive continuous

improvement initiatives.

• Strong communication, relationship-building, analytical, problem-solving, decision-making,

conflict-resolution, and employee-engagement skills.

• Strong organizational and project management capabilities; proficiency with WMS, ERP platforms,

and Microsoft Office applications.

• Ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary range: $85,000–$95,000 annually. NorthPoint Fresh offers a competitive compensation package

designed to reward performance and support professional growth. Eligible employees may have access

to performance-based incentive opportunities, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, paid time

off, retirement savings programs, professional development opportunities, and other

company-sponsored benefits.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Physical activity: Regularly walk warehouse floors and spend extended periods in a

temperature-controlled environment.

• Lifting requirements: Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.

• Work environment: Ability to work in both office and warehouse settings, including refrigerated,

cold storage, and ambient areas.

• Operational environment: Ability to safely navigate warehouse equipment traffic, loading docks,

and active operational areas.

• Personal protective equipment: Must be able to wear required PPE as applicable to the work area.

• Schedule flexibility: May be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays, or extended hours

based on operational and customer needs.