Senior Distribution Manager

Gay Lea Foods; Brampton; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Gay Lea Foods is seeking a Senior Distribution Manager to lead operations across the Central Distribution Center. This key role involves overseeing inventory management, optimizing processes, and fostering team development while ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in distribution and supply chain management within the food and beverage industry.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years relevant supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and HACCP.
• Experience with automated systems and MS Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operations at the Central Distribution Center.
• Implement inventory control policies and lead inventory management.
• Drive cost-saving initiatives and manage budgets for distribution operations.

Skills

Leadership

Inventory Management

Data Analytics

Communication

Problem Solving

Education

Post-secondary education

5 years relevant work experience

Tools

Warehouse Management System (WMS)

Transportation Management System (TMS)

Job description

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Reports to: Sr. Director of Distribution and Transportation

Status: Full-time

Job Scope

Reporting to the Senior Director of Distribution and Transportation, the Senior Distribution Manager oversees all operations at the Central Distribution Center, including network-wide inventory management across internal and third-party facilities. This role is responsible for optimizing warehousing, transportation, and inventory processes to ensure efficiency, cost control, safety, and compliance. Leading a dedicated team, the Senior Distribution Manager drives operational excellence, fosters a culture of continuous improvement, and collaborates with cross-functional teams and external partners to meet organizational and customer needs.

Key Responsibilities:

Inventory Management

• Lead and oversee inventory management practices across the entire network, including third-party warehouses, to maintain accuracy, control, and availability.
• Implement and monitor inventory control policies, including cycle counts, physical counts, and real-time tracking, ensuring that all processes are standardized across the network.
• Leverage data analytics to assess inventory performance, minimize discrepancies, and support optimal stock levels, balancing service levels with cost efficiency.

Operational Leadership and Team Development

• Provide daily leadership and guidance to the distribution team, ensuring alignment with safety protocols, quality standards, and operational objectives.
• Mentor and coach supervisors and team members on performance management, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
• Conduct regular team meetings to review department activities, communicate policy updates, and discuss performance against key metrics and organizational objectives.

Cost Management and Budget Oversight

• Develop and manage budget plans for distribution center operations, actively tracking and controlling expenditures across labor, transportation, and facility management.
• Drive cost-saving initiatives across all operational areas, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and the achievement of financial performance targets.
• Collaborate with the Senior Director of Distribution and Transportation to align budgeting efforts with broader supply chain cost strategies.

Vendor and Stakeholder Collaboration

• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, third-party logistics (3PL) providers, and key stakeholders to ensure high service levels and smooth logistical flows.
• Oversee contract negotiations with carriers and logistics partners, establishing favorable terms that align with service and cost expectations while mitigating risks.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot distribution challenges, leveraging collaborative efforts to improve overall logistics performance.

Safety, Compliance, and Process Improvement

• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards, including Ministry requirements, HACCP protocols, and best practices in distribution safety.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing efficiency, reducing waste, and optimizing throughput, benchmarking against industry standards for best practices.

Warehouse and Facility Operations

• Manage all aspects of warehouse operations, including receiving, storage, picking, packing, and shipping, ensuring accuracy and efficiency across workflows.
• Maintain compliance with established warehouse safety standards, ensuring a secure and efficient environment for all personnel and goods.
• Develop and implement labor modeling and scheduling practices to optimize productivity while controlling labor costs, adapting to business needs as required.

Performance Management and Reporting

• Establish, track, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure and optimize distribution operations, utilizing data to drive continuous improvement.
• Provide regular performance reports to senior leadership, offering insights into distribution center performance, cost management efforts, and operational challenges.

Employee Engagement and Site Culture

• Foster a positive workplace culture that values collaboration, accountability, and respect, ensuring employees feel engaged and supported.
• Champion health and safety standards, providing training and resources to promote a safe and productive working environment for all team members.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging employees to participate in initiatives aimed at enhancing workplace efficiency and service quality.

Qualifications:

• Post secondary education and/or minimum five (5) years relevant work experience in a supervisory capacity.
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices, including excellent sanitary habits and knowledge of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) considered a strong asset.
• Solid experience and working knowledge of an automated Warehouse Management System (WMS), ERP, and Transportation Management System (TMS)
• Excellent interpersonal & communication skills, including written and verbal
• Effective leadership skills with the ability to work well with and through others.
• Familiar with total quality management and continuous improvement processes.
• Good decision-making & problem-solving capabilities.
• Computer skills – experience with MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.)
• Physically capable of performing the demands of the job

Gay Lea Foods is a proud Canadian-owned dairy food and beverage company with a robust portfolio that includes 7 established brands such as Gay Lea Butter, Nordica Cottage Cheese, Ivanhoe Cheese, Salerno Cheese, and Hewitt’s Dairy. Our wide range of products are sold in Retail, Foodservice, Industrial, Co-pack, and Export markets, developed and produced out of our 13 manufacturing facilities in Ontario and Alberta.

Delivering high-quality and innovative products - from the consumer favourite Spreadables and North America’s first Smooth Cottage Cheese, to Nothing But Cheese, an innovative snack made with 100% cheese, is what makes us market leaders in our categories. Our grassroots approach to business is what guides our direction and differentiates us from our competitors.

Our employees inspire our culture of excellence and entrepreneurship. We hire innovative and passionate professionals who know that greatness is achieved through people, partnerships, and acting with a business owner mindset.

For more about us visit: http://www.gaylea.com

Gay Lea Foods is an equal-opportunity employer and values diversity in our workplace.

Reasonable accommodation is available upon request throughout our recruitment and selection process.

Thank you for your interest in Gay Lea Foods.

Wishing you all the best with your career search!

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Supply Chain

• Industries

  Food and Beverage Manufacturing

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