Head of Perishable Distribution & Fleet Operations

Common Market SE; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

SIMPLE IRA with 100% employer match

Employer-paid life insurance, AD&D,.6f

Paid vacation, sick time, and publicH

Totally onsite facility

Job summary

Common Market SE in Chicago seeks a General Manager to own the daily performance of the Great Lakes distribution center, from inbound receiving to on-time delivery. This hands-on leader works with the Executive Director, Sales, Customer Support, and VP of Operations to ensure service, safety, staffing, cost, and continuous improvement.

The role requires leadership of warehouse and fleet operations, food safety compliance (SQF/HACCP/FSMA), budget management, and KPI tracking while delivering

Qualifications

• 7-12+ years in operations, logistics, or distribution.
• 3-5+ years leading frontline or supervisory teams.
• Food-handling environment experience required; perishable ops preferred.
• Strong warehouse operations, inventory management, and order fulfillment.
• Experience overseeing drivers, fleet ops, and refrigerated trucking preferred.
• Knowledge of SQF, HACCP, FSMA or similar food safety systems.
• Experience managing operational budgets and site financial performance.
• Ability to lead multiple functions in a lean operation with strong communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead receiving, storage, picking, packing, and shipping of fresh and perishable products.
• Maintain inventory accuracy, traceability, and waste controls.
• Manage staffing, workflow, productivity, and service-level performance.
• Oversee procurement coordination and product flow with Sales and Support.
• Direct route execution, driver scheduling, and on-time delivery.
• Oversee the five-vehicle fleet, maintenance, inspections, and readiness.
• Supervise drivers and ensure DOT compliance and route efficiency.
• Oversee SQF food safety program audits, actions, and documentation.
• Lead hiring, onboarding, budgeting, and cost-control efforts.
• Track KPIs: productivity, safety, on-time delivery, and order accuracy.
• Drive continuous improvement and frontline accountability.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Budget management

Inventory management

Tools

SQF

HACCP

FSMA

Job description

Common Market SE in Chicago seeks a General Manager to own the daily performance of the Great Lakes distribution center, from inbound receiving to on-time delivery. This hands-on leader works with the Executive Director, Sales, Customer Support, and VP of Operations to ensure service, safety, staffing, cost, and continuous improvement.

The role requires leadership of warehouse and fleet operations, food safety compliance (SQF/HACCP/FSMA), budget management, and KPI tracking while delivering