Operations Manager

NorthPoint Development; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

Retirement savings

Professional development

Company benefits

Job summary

NorthPoint Fresh is seeking an Operations Manager to lead day-to-day warehouse operations in a temperature-controlled environment. You will oversee warehousing, distribution, inventory, and value-added services, driving safety, quality, and continuous improvement across shifts.

The role requires 5+ years of operations leadership, strong cross-functional collaboration, and experience with WMS/ERP systems. This on-site position offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent work experience considered.
• 5+ years of progressive operations leadership experience in warehousing, distribution, manufacturing, logistics, or supply chain.
• Experience managing leaders, supervisors, and large frontline employee populations.
• Experience within a food, beverage, cold chain, or temperature-controlled environment preferred.
• Demonstrated success managing complex customer requirements, service-level expectations, and operational performance metrics.
• Experience with warehouse management systems (WMS), inventory management, and labor planning.
• Exceptional leadership and team development skills with strong operational and business acumen.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, conflict-resolution, and employee-engagement skills.
• Strong organizational and project management capabilities; proficiency with WMS, ERP platforms, and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop supervisors, warehouse managers, leads, and frontline associates across multiple departments and shifts.
• Drive safety culture, food safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the facility.
• Manage daily warehouse operations including receiving, storage, shipping, inventory control, fulfillment, repack, and value-added services.
• Partner with customers and internal stakeholders to ensure operational requirements and service expectations are consistently achieved.
• Monitor facility performance through key operational metrics, labor management, productivity reporting, and customer KPIs.
• Identify and implement process improvements that increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service performance.
• Develop staffing plans and labor strategies that align with business demands and seasonal fluctuations.
• Support customer onboarding initiatives, operational transitions, and new business implementation activities.
• Ensure compliance with all company policies, food safety requirements, regulatory standards, and customer-specific requirements.
• Lead performance management activities, including coaching, training, employee development, corrective action, and succession planning.
• Collaborate with maintenance, quality assurance, transportation, and customer service teams to drive operational success.
• Participate in budgeting, forecasting, and cost management initiatives to support facility financial objectives.
• Maintain a strong floor presence and actively engage with employees, customers, and operational leaders throughout the facility.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Operations management

Communication

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Problem-solving

Decision-making

Employee engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

WMS

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Operations Manager is responsible for leading day-to-day operations within a highly complex temperature-controlled warehouse environment. This role provides leadership across multiple operational functions, including warehousing, distribution, transportation support, inventory management, fulfillment, value-added services, and customer-specific programs. The Operations Manager oversees multiple teams and leaders while driving operational excellence, safety, customer satisfaction, productivity, and financial performance. This position plays a critical role in supporting business growth, onboarding new customers, implementing process improvements, and ensuring service levels are consistently achieved across a diverse customer portfolio. The ideal candidate is a proven leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, effectively manages competing priorities, develops high-performing teams, and delivers exceptional customer service.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead and develop supervisors, warehouse managers, leads, and frontline associates across multiple operational departments and shifts.
• Drive a culture of safety, food safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the facility.
• Manage daily warehouse operations including receiving, storage, shipping, inventory control, fulfillment, repack, and value-added services.
• Partner with customers and internal stakeholders to ensure operational requirements and service expectations are consistently achieved.
• Monitor facility performance through key operational metrics, labor management, productivity reporting, and customer KPIs.
• Identify and implement process improvements that increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service performance.
• Develop staffing plans and labor strategies that align with business demands and seasonal fluctuations.
• Support customer onboarding initiatives, operational transitions, and new business implementation activities.
• Ensure compliance with all company policies, food safety requirements, regulatory standards, and customer-specific requirements.
• Lead performance management activities, including coaching, training, employee development, corrective action, and succession planning.
• Collaborate with maintenance, quality assurance, transportation, and customer service teams to drive operational success.
• Participate in budgeting, forecasting, and cost management initiatives to support facility financial objectives.
• Maintain a strong floor presence and actively engage with employees, customers, and operational leaders throughout the facility.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent work experience considered.
• 5+ years of progressive operations leadership experience in warehousing, distribution, manufacturing, logistics, or supply chain operations.
• Experience managing leaders, supervisors, and large frontline employee populations.
• Experience within a food, beverage, cold chain, or temperature-controlled environment preferred.
• Demonstrated success managing complex customer requirements, service-level expectations, and operational performance metrics.
• Experience with warehouse management systems (WMS), inventory management, and labor planning.
• Exceptional leadership and team development skills with strong operational and business acumen.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, conflict-resolution, and employee-engagement skills.
• Strong organizational and project management capabilities; proficiency with WMS, ERP platforms, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary range: $85,000–$95,000 annually. NorthPoint Fresh offers a competitive compensation package designed to reward performance and support professional growth. Eligible employees may have access to performance-based incentive opportunities, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, paid time off, retirement savings programs, professional development opportunities, and other company-sponsored benefits.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Physical activity: Regularly walk warehouse floors and spend extended periods in a temperature-controlled environment.
• Lifting requirements: Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
• Work environment: Ability to work in both office and warehouse settings, including refrigerated, cold storage, and ambient areas.
• Operational environment: Ability to safely navigate warehouse equipment traffic, loading docks, and active operational areas.
• Personal protective equipment: Must be able to wear required PPE as applicable to the work area.
• Schedule flexibility: May be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays, or extended hours based on operational and customer needs.