Area Operations Director - East Region

American Welding & Gas, Inc.; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

401(k) with company match

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Life and disability insurance

Generous paid time off

Opportunities for growth

Job summary

American Welding & Gas Inc. is seeking an Area Operations Director to lead multiple branch locations in the Eastern Markets, including Cincinnati, OH; Louisville, KY; and Lexington, KY.

You will drive operational performance, safety, and customer satisfaction while managing budgets and cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate brings 10+ years in industrial distribution or manufacturing operations, a strong safety and regulatory background, and a proven ability to scale operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Management, Business, or related field (or equivalent).
• 10+ years of progressive operations experience in industrial distribution, manufacturing, or logistics.
• Proficiency in supply chain/inventory management in a B2B organization.
• Strong knowledge of safety regulations, DOT logistics, and distribution operations.
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage budgets, and drive operational improvements.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to travel regularly within the assigned region.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and day-to-day operational leadership for multiple branch locations and facilities.
• Ensure consistent execution of AWG operational standards, policies, and best practices.
• Drive operational efficiency, service reliability, and customer satisfaction across the region.
• Lead safety initiatives, audits, incident investigations, and corrective action plans.
• Oversee packaged/bulk gas distribution, including fleet management and route optimization.
• Partner with supply chain teams to ensure inventory accuracy, asset utilization, and product availability.
• Support implementation of technology and process improvements to enhance delivery and warehouse operations.
• Lead, coach, and develop branch managers, operations managers, and frontline supervisors.
• Support recruiting, training, performance management, and succession planning.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Manage regional operating budgets, labor costs, and capital expenditures.
• Monitor KPIs related to safety, service levels, productivity, and profitability.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and operational improvements while maintaining service quality.
• Work closely with sales, production, safety, HR, and finance teams to align operations with business objectives.
• Support integration of newly acquired branches and standardization of operational processes.
• Serve as an escalation point for customer and operational issues requiring senior leadership involvement.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Travel willingness

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Management/Business or related field

Tools

Supply chain / inventory management software

Job description

American Welding & Gas Inc. is thrilled to announce an immediate opening for a dynamic Area Operations Director in the vibrant Eastern Markets (Cincinnati, OH / Louisville and Lexington, KY). Don't miss the chance to make an impact in this key leadership role!

Summary

The Area Operations Director is responsible for the overall operational performance of multiple branch locations and facilities within an assigned region. This role provides leadership across distribution, logistics, customer service, safety, and facility operations to ensure consistent service delivery, regulatory compliance, and financial performance. The ideal candidate is a hands‑on leader with deep experience in industrial distribution or manufacturing environments and a proven ability to lead teams, improve processes, and scale operations.

Duties & Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Provide strategic and day-to-day operational leadership for multiple branch locations and facilities.
• Ensure consistent execution of AWG operational standards, policies, and best practices.
• Drive operational efficiency, service reliability, and customer satisfaction across the region.

Safety & Compliance Champion

• AWG's safety-first culture and ensure compliance with OSHA, DOT, EPA, FDA (medical gases), and CGA requirements.
• Lead safety initiatives, audits, incident investigations, and corrective action plans.
• Ensure facilities, fleets, and operations meet all regulatory and company safety standards.

Logistics & Distribution

• Oversee packaged/bulk gas distribution, including fleet management and route optimization.
• Partner with supply chain teams to ensure inventory accuracy, asset utilization, and product availability.
• Support implementation of technology and process improvements to enhance delivery and warehouse operations.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop branch managers, operations managers, and frontline supervisors.
• Support recruiting, training, performance management, and succession planning.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Financial & Performance Management

• Manage regional operating budgets, labor costs, and capital expenditures.
• Monitor KPIs related to safety, service levels, productivity, and profitability.
• Identify cost‑saving opportunities and operational improvements while maintaining service quality.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with sales, production, safety, HR, and finance teams to align operations with business objectives.
• Support integration of newly acquired branches and standardization of operational processes.
• Serve as an escalation point for customer and operational issues requiring senior leadership involvement.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Management, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 10+ years of progressive operations experience in industrial distribution, manufacturing, or logistics.
• Proficiency in supply chain/inventory management in a B2B organization.
• Strong knowledge of safety regulations, DOT logistics, and distribution operations.
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage budgets, and drive operational improvements.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Willingness to travel regularly within the assigned region.

Incentives

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage from day one.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Generous paid time off and paid holidays.
• A supportive, team‑oriented culture with opportunities for growth.

AWG Culture

A family-like atmosphere known for growth opportunities and a low turnover rate in the industry. AWG is expanding and seeking exceptional talent to drive our progress forward. Don't miss out on a promising future - join our team today!

American Welding & Gas (AWG) is a manufacturer and distributor of industrial gases as well as a provider of all your welding supply needs. We are a family and team member owned company that is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. Our company provides industrial, medical, and specialty gases as well as food and beverage gases across the United States, from Montana to Pennsylvania and down through Texas and Florida. With a team of over 800 employees, over 100 retail locations, and 22 fill plants, we pride ourselves in our customer service, expertise, assets, and resources that allow us to reach a large and diversified customer base of the highest quality.

American Welding & Gas is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability.