Operations Manager

Advantage Distribution Holdings; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Advantage Distribution Holdings is seeking a senior operations leader to standardize processes, drive efficiency, and scale a multi-branch HVAC distribution network. You will own SOPs, safety programs, fleet policy, and new-branch openings, partnering with regional leaders to deliver reliable service and cost-effective operations.

Ideal candidates have 7+ years in wholesale distribution or logistics, HVAC industry knowledge, and a track record of leading through managers, implementing safety

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, logistics, operations management, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive operations leadership in wholesale distribution or logistics (HVAC/building-products preferred).
• Experience leading through managers across multiple locations.
• Proven track record designing and implementing operational processes and safety programs.
• Experience leading new-branch openings from planning through stabilization; PMP is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop, document, and continuously improve SOPs for warehouse operations across branches.
• Establish KPIs and reporting to track branch performance.
• Lead cross-location process-improvement initiatives and standardization.
• Evaluate and select warehouse management/ERP systems.
• Serve as escalation point for complex operational issues with branch managers.
• Oversee safety and compliance programs company-wide.

Skills

Operations leadership

Process standardization

Project management

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, logistics, operations management

Tools

ERP systems

MS Excel

Job description

Advantage Distribution Holdings (ADH) is an HVAC distribution platform built to support and strengthen independent distributors while preserving their local identity. The organization brings together best-in-class independent businesses to share resources, expertise, and scale advantages that are difficult to achieve alone. ADH focuses on collaboration, operational excellence, and shared growth, allowing each company to remain closely connected to its regional customers and markets. Team members join a growing platform that values entrepreneurship, local relationships, and long-term success in the HVAC industry.

Company Description

Advantage Distribution Holdings (ADH) is an HVAC distribution platform built to support and strengthen independent distributors while preserving their local identity. The organization brings together best-in-class independent businesses to share resources, expertise, and scale advantages that are difficult to achieve alone. ADH focuses on collaboration, operational excellence, and shared growth, allowing each company to remain closely connected to its regional customers and markets. Team members join a growing platform that values entrepreneurship, local relationships, and long-term success in the HVAC industry.

Key Responsibilities

Operations Strategy & Process Standardization

• Develop, document, and continuously improve standard operating procedures (SOPs) for warehouse operations, receiving, inventory control, will-call, and delivery across all branches.
• Establish company-wide operational performance standards and KPIs (order accuracy, fulfillment time, inventory accuracy, delivery cost, safety metrics) and build reporting to track branch performance against them.
• Lead process-improvement initiatives across the branch network, identifying inefficiencies and driving standardization, automation, and best-practice sharing between locations.
• Evaluate and help select warehouse management / ERP systems and tools that support scalable, consistent operations across the company.
• Act as the escalation point and subject-matter authority for Branch/Warehouse Managers on complex operational issues, policy questions, and process exceptions.

Safety & Compliance Program Leadership

• Own, and continuously improve the company's safety program, policies, and training curriculum for warehouse, driver, and delivery personnel.
• Set company-wide safety standards and compliance requirements and audit branches for adherence.
• Establish incident investigation, reporting, and corrective-action protocols; review trends across branches and drive systemic fixes rather than one-off responses.
• Oversee OSHA recordkeeping standards, safety certifications (forklift, hazmat, etc.), and regulatory audit readiness company-wide, working through branch leadership and a safety coordinator/manager to execute.
• Report safety performance, trends, and risk exposure to executive leadership and recommend policy or investment changes.

Fleet Strategy & Compliance

• Own company-wide fleet strategy, including vehicle standards, replacement/leasing decisions, and total cost of ownership across the branch network.
• Establish fleet compliance policy (DOT/FMCSA) for branch and fleet coordinators to administer.
• Negotiate and manage relationships with fleet vendors, maintenance providers, fuel programs, and insurance/risk partners at the company level.
• Analyze fleet cost, utilization, and delivery performance data across branches to identify network-wide efficiency and right-sizing opportunities.
• Set incident and violation review protocols and ensure consistent follow-up and accountability across locations.

New Branch (Store) Opening — Project Leadership

• Own the new-branch-opening playbook and serve as project lead for each new location launch, from site readiness through post-opening stabilization.
• Build and manage project plans, timelines, and budgets for warehouse buildout, racking/equipment procurement, systems setup, and initial inventory strategy, coordinating with real estate, facilities, IT, purchasing, and HR.
• Define staffing plans and standard training/onboarding curricula for new-location Branch Managers and warehouse teams, ensuring SOPs and safety programs are in place before go-live.
• Track milestones, manage risk and vendor dependencies, and report new-location project status to executive leadership.
• Conduct structured post-opening reviews (30/60/90-day) against performance and safety benchmarks, and feed lessons learned back into the opening playbook.

Leadership Through Branch & Functional Managers

• Provide coaching, performance management, and professional development to Branch/Warehouse Managers and operations coordinators; build organizational bench strength.
• Set clear expectations and accountability structures for direct reports, including regular performance reviews and operating cadences (e.g., monthly branch operations reviews).
• Facilitate consistent communication and best-practice sharing across branches, including operations leadership meetings.
• Support branch leadership through organizational change, seasonal peaks, and staffing challenges with process and planning support rather than direct hands‑on management.

Budget, Vendor & Cross-Functional Strategy

• Own the operations capital and expense budget across warehouse, safety, and fleet functions; monitor spend against plan and identify cost‑optimization opportunities.
• Partner with sales, purchasing, finance, and executive leadership on operational input to company strategy, budgeting, and growth planning.
• Negotiate and manage company-level vendor and service contracts (equipment, maintenance, safety training providers, freight) that support the branch network.
• Prepare and present operational strategy, project status, and performance reporting to executive leadership and ownership.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, logistics, operations management, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
• 7+ years of progressive operations leadership experience in wholesale distribution or logistics, ideally within HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or building-products distribution.
• Demonstrated experience leading through managers across multiple locations, rather than direct day-to-day supervision of warehouse staff.
• Proven track record designing and implementing operational processes, safety programs, or fleet policy at a multi-site or company level.
• Direct experience leading new branch, warehouse, or distribution‑center opening projects from planning through stabilization strongly preferred.
• Formal project‑management experience or certification (PMP or similar) is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of HVAC wholesale distribution operations, warehouse management principles, and industry best practices.
• Deep working knowledge of OSHA regulations, DOT/FMCSA fleet compliance, and safety program design at an organizational level.
• Strong project-management skills, including planning, budgeting, risk management, and cross-functional coordination on concurrent initiatives.
• Proficiency with ERP/warehouse management systems, reporting/analytics tools, and Microsoft Office (Excel and PowerPoint in particular).
• Excellent leadership and influence skills, with the ability to drive consistency and accountability through managers rather than direct control.
• Strong analytical and process‑improvement mindset; comfortable using data to diagnose issues and design scalable solutions.
• Executive‑level communication skills, both written and verbal, including comfort presenting strategy and performance to senior leadership.

Travel & Work Environment

• Frequent travel across branch and distribution locations is required, including extended on-site time during new branch openings (estimated 50%-70%, varying by project load).
• Primary work is conducted in an office/administrative setting, with regular time on warehouse and dock floors for audits, assessments, and project walk‑throughs rather than daily operational duties.