Operations Manager

Ace Hardware Corporation; La Crosse (WI); On-site; USD 88,000 - 111,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health coverage

Generous 401(k) with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Employee merchandise discounts

Paid time off

Job summary

Ace Hardware Distribution Center in La Crosse, WI is hiring an Operations Manager to lead warehouse operations and drive continuous improvement. This role emphasizes safety, Lean practices, and achieving performance goals across teams.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in senior operations, strong communication skills, and familiarity with MS Office. The position offers competitive pay and comprehensive benefits in a team‑oriented environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field preferred, but not required.
• 5+ years in a senior operational role, preferably in distribution.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support Ace values and culture.
• Ensure a safe work environment for all team members.
• Oversee warehouse operations using Lean tools and methodologies.
• Review financials and performance data to drive improvements.
• Determine staffing requirements and oversee interviewing and training.
• Provide guidance, setting performance standards and development opportunities.
• Pursue succession planning for self and reports.
• Flexibility to handle after-hours issues.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Lean

Job description

Operations Manager – Ace Hardware corporation is a retailer‑owned cooperative of more than 5,000 independent Ace stores in all 50 states, and 70 countries, with 14 distribution centers throughout North America. Ace’s distribution network is one of the cornerstones of the corporation’s success. By utilizing advanced technology and an integrated team approach at our distribution centers nationwide, we’re able to consistently deliver one of the highest service levels in the industry to our retailers. This commitment to excellence carries through to each employee at our distribution centers.

Ace is a place for you to have a long‑term career you can be truly proud of with competitive pay, promotional opportunities, and comprehensive benefits for you and your family. Ace Hardware Distribution Centers are where team players collaborate to support amazing retailers be the most helpful hardware stores on the planet.

We have an opportunity for an Operations Manager at our distribution center in La Crosse, WI.

Primary Job Responsibilities Include

• Lead, support and encourage Ace Values: Winning, Excellence, Love, Integrity, Gratitude, Humility and Teamwork.
• Ensure a safe work environment for all team members.
• Be part of a positive work environment which enhances high level performance.
• Establish and implement departmental policies, goals, objectives and procedures, conferring with senior leadership, staff members and others within the organization as necessary.
• Oversee activities directly related to warehouse operations utilizing Lean tools and methodologies.
• Review financial statements and reports, as well as other performance data to measure productivity and goal achievement, and to determine areas needing cost reduction and program improvement.
• Determine staffing requirements, along with conducting and/or overseeing the interview process. Make hiring decisions and oversee training of new employees.
• Provide guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards, monitoring performance and creating development opportunities.
• Actively pursue succession planning for self and direct reports.
• Flexible to deal with issues that arise outside of normal business hours.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications Include

• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership, and coordination of people and resources.
• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field preferred, but not required.
• 5+ years in a senior operational role, preferably in distribution.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Proficient in Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Ability and willingness to work non‑traditional shifts and hours.

Annual Salary Range of $88,400 - $110,700 per year

You will be part of a winning team that enjoys:

• Comprehensive health coverage and life benefits along with prescription drug, dental, vision and flexible spending accounts
• Generous 401(k) Savings and Retirement Plan which includes a company match, and other company contributions
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Generous merchandise discount program
• Business casual dress every day!

Why should you join our team?

We live our values - W.E.L.I.G.H.T (Winning, Excellence, Love, Integrity, Gratitude, Humility, and Teamwork). Gratitude. Humility. Love. You don’t often see values like these in most corporate statements, but Ace is different. These things are important to us. They represent our commitment to the company, our employees, to Ace retailers and to the Ace brand.

Benefits

• Semi‑Monthly Pay
• Incentive opportunities, based on role/grade level (rapid company growth over the past 5 years resulted in incentives being paid out at an average of 122% of your target opportunity!)
• 18 days of vacation immediately available (prorated in the first year) and up to 9 paid holidays depending on the month of hire
• Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision and disability – up to 26 weeks short‑term disability and long‑term disability) & life insurance benefits for you and your dependents
• Generous 401(k) retirement savings plan with a fully vested matching contribution for the first year in addition to quarterly contributions and annual discretionary contribution (once eligibility requirements have been met). Over the past 5 years, company contributions (matching, quarterly & discretionary) for fully eligible employees have averaged 10% of total eligible compensation
• Ace invests in every employee we hire, with a key focus on development and coaching. We offer on‑site classes, facilitator‑led courses, and a generous tuition assistance program, plus a performance management approach that goes beyond the typical annual review
• Your career at Ace is more than just a job. It’s a chance to be part of something meaningful. We help locally‑owned businesses thrive and make an impact in their communities – and we support our employees in doing the same by offering our employees opportunities to help Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and the Ace Helpful Fund through the Ace Foundation
• Employee discounts on Ace merchandise (including top brands like Weber, Traeger, Yeti, Craftsman, DeWalt and more), travel, fitness, computers and thousands more
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – access to free visits to therapists and lawyers, guidance on financial matters, elder and childcare, and assistance with tickets to entertainment events
• Birth/Adoption bonding paid time off
• Adoption cost reimbursement
• Identity theft protection
• Benefits are provided in compliance with applicable plans and policies.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ace Hardware Corporation is committed to a policy of promoting equal employment opportunities. The company recognizes the importance of diversity and leveraging the skills and talents of all people to the mutual advantage of each individual and the organization. The company is committed to the prevention of employment discrimination related to race, religion, color, sex (including sexual harassment), gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability and military or veteran status, sexual orientation or any other action covered by federal or applicable state/local laws.

Disclaimer

The pay range for this position starts as listed in the job posting, but could be higher based on education and experience. Please note, compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each opening. We take into consideration the minimum requirements outlined in the job description, such as an individual’s education, training and experience, the position’s work location, required travel (if any), and external market conditions when determining the final salary for potential new hires.

Be aware that salary estimates published via alternate online job boards may not be a true representation of the actual pay range offered for this position. Please refer to the Ace position description for the accurate starting pay range information and feel free to discuss this with a Talent Acquisition professional if you are chosen to move forward with an interview.

This written “Position Description” is not intended to cover all aspects of the position listed. It is meant to cover the basic/general essential job functions of a particular position. Ace Hardware Corporation reserves the right to change job duties, including essential job functions, according to business necessity.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.