Eastern Region Operations Director: Lead Growth & Safety

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 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.