Distribution Center Manager

Lallemand Inc.; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Lallemand Inc. is seeking a Distribution Center Manager to serve as the site operations leader for the Memphis DC, with accountability for food safety, quality systems, and regulatory compliance. You will own certification programs like BRC, drive continuous improvement, and use the ERP system to manage inventory and reporting.

The role requires strong leadership, budgetary discipline, safety oversight, and collaboration with multiple business units to meet customer and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Experience leading distribution center or warehouse operations.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, food safety and regulatory programs.
• Proven ability to manage inventories, budgeting, and supplier/vendor relationships.
• Experience with ERP systems and data-driven continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Oversee DC inventories, orders, min/max, lot rotation, damages and credits.
• Supervise warehouse clerks and drivers, including hiring and development.
• Develop and monitor budgets with the Distributions Operations Manager.
• Ensure OSHA/CNESST compliance and safety inspections.

Skills

Inventory management

People management

Regulatory compliance

Budgeting

Process improvement

Data analysis

Food safety

Leadership

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics

Job description

PURPOSE:

The Distribution Center Manager oversees all activities and tasks related to the Distribution Center operations, functioning as the site's operational leader with Plant Manager-level accountability for food safety, quality, and regulatory systems. They are responsible for ensuring the site’s adherence to internal and external quality, food safety, and compliance requirements, including full ownership of the site's BRC and other applicable food safety certification programs. This role requires a strong process adherence and continuous-improvement mindset to drive operational excellence across the Distribution Center.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Manages the Distribution Center’s inventories (branch inventory, ordering, min/max, lot rotation, customer specifications, damages, and credits)
• Manages the Distribution Center’s warehouse clerks and drivers (hiring, training, development, evaluation, discipline, supervision)
• Develop and follow budget restrictions with the Distributions Operations Manager (payroll, invoices, fuel & mileage, negotiate costs with vendors, manage carrier expenses, etc.)
• Ensure employee safety (OSHA or CNESST compliances) by Monthly Warehouse Safety Inspections and Meetings, Quaterly Driver Meetings, Facility Maintenance, etc.)
• Ensure adherence to Alchemy Training Platform for all DCs as per training requirements
• Follow delivery schedules and comply with special requests; assist in responding to customer and/or Sister’s Business Unit Compliants.
• Manages Fleet (routing, HOS, DOT Compliance, Maintenance, Fuel Bonus Program, Licensing, Violations & Accidents)
• Promotes the site’s compliance to the following requirements (as applicable):
  • Customer requirements (orders, deliveries, transport, shelf life, product rotation)
  • Internal requirements related to quality and food safety (HACCP, GWPs and prerequisite programs PRPs), etc.
• Certification and regulatory requirements (such as BRC, FDA, CFIA, AIB, federal, state/provincial, Non GMO Project Verified (NGPV), Organic (NOP/COR) and local labor regulations, as applicable).
• Owns and champions the Distribution Center's food safety and quality certification programs (BRC and other applicable schemes) with Plant Manager-level accountability, ensuring audit readiness and timely closure of corrective and preventive actions.
• Utilizes the company's ERP system (Microsoft Dynamics) to manage inventory, orders, and reporting; analyzes operational data to identify trends and drive continuous process improvement.
• All Job duties as per DC-I-2400-A03 Warehouse Manager – Job Description if no Warehouse Manager on Site.
• Implement and/or support other special projects such as Lewis Implementation, LY sampling kits, CoA automation, etc.
• Follow and make sure warehouse clerk(s), driver(s), and warehouse manager (if applicable) follow DC-P-08-02-A02 GWPs in all time and other BMS/DC and SITES Procedures and Instructions in order to ensure product food safety, legality and quality.
• Ensure service suppliers comply at all times with the Visitors and Service Suppliers Policy DC-I-2401-A01
• Conduct routine inspections such as monthly inspections, glass & grittle plastic inspection, pallets, etc..
• Log and investigate nonconformities, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Responsible for execution and update of the Master Cleaning Schedule (MCS), External Maintenance Calendar, Site Audit Calendar, Calibration Log, Approved Chemical Inventory, etc.
• Conducting mock recalls, evacuation and/or fire drills, mock crises, etc., and as per the audit calendar.
• Collaborate on the update of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and warehouse-specific objectives as defined by upper management.
• Participate in and provide data for HACCP reviews, Food Fraud and Food Defense Assessments, as well as Business Management Reviews.