Operations Manager - Lead Operations. Build Teams. Drive Results - Phoenix, AZ

The Wasserstrom Company; Peoria (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Wasserstrom Company is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead daily warehouse operations in a fast-paced distribution center. You will supervise supervisors and frontline teams, focusing on accurate order fulfillment, safety, and continuous process improvements.

You will drive performance by monitoring KPIs, optimizing labor, and implementing new technologies. A people-first leader, you will mentor talent and partner with cross-functional teams to deliver results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 4+ years of leadership experience in distribution, warehouse, logistics, or supply chain operations.
• Proven ability to lead teams, drive results, and improve operational performance.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience using Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and Microsoft Excel.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily distribution center activities including receiving, replenishment, picking, packing, staging, and shipping.
• Ensure customer orders are fulfilled accurately and on time.
• Monitor key performance indicators, labor productivity, service levels, and quality metrics; drive improvements.
• Develop people by coaching supervisors and future leaders, fostering engagement.
• Collaborate with Transportation, Inventory Control, Purchasing, Sales, Customer Service, and Human Resources.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Data-driven

Safety awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)

Microsoft Excel

Job description

At The Wasserstrom Company, you'll have the opportunity to lead a critical operation for one of the foodservice industry's most respected and enduring organizations. For more than 120 years, Wasserstrom has built a reputation for exceptional service, strong customer relationships, and operational excellence. We combine the stability of a well-established company with the drive to continuously improve, invest in our people, and embrace new technologies. We're seeking an experienced Operations Manager who is passionate about developing teams, improving processes, and delivering results in a fast-paced distribution environment.

What You'll Do

As Operations Manager, you'll oversee the daily flow of products through our distribution center, ensuring orders move accurately, efficiently, and safely from receiving to shipment. You'll lead supervisors and operations teams while balancing customer expectations, productivity goals, inventory accuracy, and employee engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Lead Warehouse Operations

• Direct daily distribution center activities including receiving, replenishment, picking, packing, staging, and shipping.
• Ensure customer orders are fulfilled accurately and on time.
• Prioritize workloads and allocate labor based on business needs.
• Remove operational roadblocks and drive consistent execution across teams and shifts.

Champion Safety and Compliance

• Foster a strong safety-first culture.
• Partner with Safety and Human Resources teams to investigate incidents and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure associates receive appropriate training and resources.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment.

Drive Performance and Continuous Improvement

• Monitor key performance indicators, labor productivity, service levels, and quality metrics.
• Use data and root-cause analysis to identify improvement opportunities.
• Lead projects focused on workflow optimization, space utilization, automation, and process improvements.
• Support the implementation of new technologies and operational best practices.

Develop People and Build Strong Teams

• Coach, mentor, and develop supervisors and future leaders.
• Create accountability while fostering employee engagement and recognition.
• Partner with Human Resources on recruiting, employee development, performance management, and retention.
• Build a workplace culture where employees understand the impact of their work and have opportunities to grow.

Partner Across the Business

• Collaborate with Transportation, Inventory Control, Purchasing, Sales, Customer Service, and Human Resources.
• Support planning, budgeting, forecasting, and operational excellence initiatives.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 4+ years of leadership experience in distribution, warehouse, logistics, or supply chain operations.
• Proven ability to lead teams, drive results, and improve operational performance.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience using Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and Microsoft Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean Six Sigma certification or continuous improvement training.
• Experience implementing labor management or pay-for-performance programs.
• Knowledge of warehouse automation technologies, including pick-to-light systems, conveyors, robotics, pick modules, and put walls.
• Strong project management experience.
• Experience managing operational budgets and delivering measurable business results. [Operations...27.2026 JS | Word]

The Ideal Candidate

You Are

• A people-first leader who develops talent and builds strong teams.
• Comfortable making decisions in a fast-moving environment.
• Data-driven and focused on continuous improvement.
• Passionate about warehouse safety and operational excellence.
• Skilled at balancing customer service, productivity, quality, and cost.

Why Join Wasserstrom?

At Wasserstrom, you'll have the opportunity to make a visible impact on our operations, our customers, and our people. We're looking for leaders who want to challenge the status quo, improve processes, and help build the future of distribution excellence.

EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and will give consideration to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.