General Manager I

KLS Kenco Logistic Services, LLC; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k)

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Job summary

Kenco Logistics is hiring a General Manager for our Kalamazoo distribution center. You will lead site management, ensure policy and SOP compliance, and drive lean improvements using the KOS/Shingo framework. You will develop strategic initiatives and oversee safety, quality, and financial performance to maximize customer value.

Ideal candidates bring 7+ years in DC/warehouse leadership, strong people skills, and experience with labor/workforce systems like SAP. A Six Sigma belt is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in logistics or business or related field is required.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in a distribution center/warehouse.
• Experience leading salary and hourly teams; strong people skills.
• Experience with labor/workforce systems (SAP, Red Prairie, High Jump) is desirable.
• Six Sigma Black Belt or Green Belt preferred but not mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Lead site management and personnel to meet SOPs and policies.
• Maintain safety, operations, quality, and regulatory functions on site.
• Develop long-term planning and strategic initiatives for the site.
• Manage KPIs, BI plans, efficiency programs, and P&L reporting.
• Coach and mentor site management; promote lean culture and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Conflict resolution

Data analysis

Excel

Lean Six Sigma

Education

Bachelor's degree in Logistics or Business

Tools

SAP

Red Prairie

High Jump

Job description

At Kenco Logistics, you’re more than just a team member—you’re part of a company that values innovation, integrity, and a strong commitment to its people. As one of the leading 3PL providers in the U.S., Kenco offers a dynamic and supportive work environment where your ideas matter and your growth is a priority. With a focus on safety, sustainability, and continuous improvement, Kenco empowers employees to make a real impact in the supply chain industry while building rewarding careers. Join a company where your contributions help move the world forward—one shipment at a time.

About the Position

The distribution center general manager plans, directs, coordinates and implements all warehouse policies/procedures for the warehouse operation. In conjunction with these responsibilities, the leader will lead in accordance with Kenco’s Guiding Principles and operate the facility using the Kenco Operating System (KOS / Shingo) methodology to obtain optimum efficiency and economy of operations, while maximizing profits by performing the following duties or through delegation to subordinates.

Functions

• Lead activities of site management and personnel to ensure compliance with defined operating system, corporate policy and site standard operating procedures, personnel policies and workload leveling.
• Maintain all safety, operations, quality, financial, legal and regulatory functions executed on site.
• Develop long-term planning and strategic initiatives for the site to ensure continued success and satisfactory relationship with customer.
• Responsible for site metrics associated with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Business Improvement Plans, Efficiency Programs, and Profit and Loss (P&L) indices subsequent data analysis to develop reports for interpretation and communication for the customer, and site personnel.
• Ensures communication and feedback for site and customer relations, including management review.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to site management and personnel in support of bench strength to ensure sustainability of the business and facility.
• Responsible for supporting a healthy and effective “Lean Culture” participating in and leading 5S, Gemba walks, A3’s, Kaizen events, Employee Suggestion Boards, etc. daily, weekly, or as necessary to promote continuous improvement to the benefit of our customer.
• Analysis of operations on a continuing basis to make necessary improvements to ensure cross functional operating efficiencies in the warehouse.
• Analyzes throughput information, capacity planning, flow through and financial information.
• Build a strong relationship with Customer.
• Understand Customer strategic goals and ability to translate those to site specific goals.

Qualifications

Bachelor degree in Logistics or Business field or related required.

Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience within a distribution center and/or warehouse or related required.

Prior experience leading a team of salary and hourly associates with a strong ability to build strong, positive rapport with associates in a team environment; successfully manages people to achieve performance goals; excellent people management skills including conflict resolution, coaching and developing others, promoting teamwork, and performance management.

Experience with labor/workforce management systems (i.e. SAP, Red Prairie, High Jump, etc.) highly desired.

Six Sigma Black Belt or Green Belt preferred but not required.

Ability to work effectively in a multi-tasking environment; demonstrated ability to work effectively under stress and pressure; ability to manage multiple projects and meet specific goals and deadlines.

Highly proficient in necessary computer applications (i.e. Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.).

Competencies

• Business Acumen – Knowledgeable in current and possible future policies, practices, trends, technology, and information affecting his/her business and organization.
• Communicate for Impact – Devoting the time and resources necessary to communicate the strategic vision, direction, priorities, and progress of the team for which you are responsible.
• Leading People – Ability to develop and implement strategies to maximize employee performance and foster employee engagement in meeting the organization's strategy.
• Managing Transitions / Change Management – Effectively plans, manages and communicates changes in processes with appropriate stakeholders.
• Relationship Management – Building and maintaining relationships with internal partners to successfully complete projects and organizational objectives.
• Strategic Agility – Gains perspective and balances the pressure between daily tasks and strategic actions that impact the long-term viability of the organization.

Travel Requirements

This position is expected to travel approximately 25% or less.

Disclosures

For California residents – please enter or copy/paste the address below into your address bar to review an important notice regarding Kenco’s privacy policy https://www.kencogroup.com/ccpa-notice-at-collection-for-employees-and-applicants/

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job. Other duties may be assigned as needed. The physical demands and work environment described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Kenco is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Per company policy, all internal job postings expire 14 days from the date they are posted.

Benefits offered

• Medical insurance including HSA, HRA and FSA accounts
• Supplemental insurance including critical illness, hospital indemnity, accidental injury
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Basic Life and Supplemental Life
• Short Term and Long Term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• 401(k)
• Paid Time Off approximately 2 weeks (accrual begins on Day 1 of employment)
• Employer Paid Holidays- 10 days

Kenco strives to provide a supportive, professional environment for all employees. As a part of Kenco, we expect our team to uphold our three key pillars: be honest, serve, and get better. Each should strive for operational excellence, pursue innovation, and want to grow with our company.

Kenco Group is an Equal-Opportunity Employer. All employees and applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or protected veteran status or disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

For California residents – please enter or copy/paste the address below into your address bar to review an important notice regarding Kenco’s privacy policy. https://www.kencogroup.com/ccpa-notice-at-collection-for-employees-and-applicants/

About Kenco

Kenco is a Great Place to Work® certified company, a recognition driven by the feedback and experiences of our associates and one that reflects our people-first culture. Every day, our people push our business forward. Our dedicated workforce has been a cornerstone of our culture and an essential part of what makes Kenco so special. From the distribution floor to the boardroom, we are committed to inclusivity in our workforce, ensuring every one of our associates is empowered to have their voices heard. Through our diverse backgrounds, we’re able to leverage the strengths of every team member to devise creative solutions to any on‑and‑off‑site challenge—making Kenco a unified community where our people can grow together and make us stronger every day.