Job Description
Ready to lead, innovate, and make an impact with a purpose-driven industry leader?
At Dairy Farmers of America, we don't just move products-we keep the food supply chain moving efficiently, safely, and reliably. We are looking for a dynamic, forward-thinking Cooler / Warehouse Manager to step into a crucial leadership role at our facility. If you are a collaborative problem-solver who thrives on building strong teams, driving operational excellence, and finding creative ways to improve day-to-day success, you belong here.
This isn't just a job; it's a place where your leadership matters, your ideas are heard, and your hard work is deeply rewarded.
Why You'll Love Joining Our Team:
We believe in taking care of the people who take care of our business. From day one, we invest in your health, your future, and your peace of mind with a robust, comprehensive benefits package:
Fast-Starting Healthcare: Dive into your role with confidence-your medical, dental, and vision coverage kicks in on the first of the month following your start date .
Excellent Work-Life Balance: Recharge and spend time doing what you love with 18 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) annually
Investment in Your Future: Grow your career and your mind with our Tuition Reimbursement program.
Total Well-being Support: Gain access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential personal and professional guidance when you need it most.
Security for Your Family: Protect what matters most with company-provided Life Insurance .
General Purpose:
Provide leadership to warehouse/cooler supervisors and employees and manage all daily operational activities to maximize productivity and efficiency. Function as the primary liaison between plant management and other departments including sales, distribution, and customer service to ensure appropriate inventory/product levels are available for load-out and finished product is delivered accurately and on time. Maintain a firm handle on all aspects of operations, inclusive of effective interdepartmental communication between management and warehouse/cooler personnel.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
Plan, direct, and coordinate the activities of the department in an organized, safe, and sanitary work environment that complies with the company's policies, OSHA and government regulations.
Ensure proper loading and unloading of inbound and outbound shipments to meet safety and quality standards.
Partner cross-functionally with internal departments such as Quality, Production Planning, and Procurement Planning to align on forecasts, manage strategic and fresh inventory, and proactively prevent operational disruptions.
Establish, monitor, and drive accountability for department KPIs; proactively implement immediate corrective actions when thresholds are breached. This includes enforcing load-out time limits, tracking and adjusting inbound schedules on time, ensuring rigorous adherence to cycle counts, and securing timely Stock Transfer Order (STO) completion while flagging systemic problems.
Ensure proper procedures are in place and being followed for production efficiency, quality of product, employee safety, and state and federal guidelines. Enforce strict Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) adherence regarding Over, Short, and Damaged (OS&D) claims to ensure accurate reporting and liability management.
Monitor, on a daily basis, the inventory and codes of all products in the cooler to ensure proper rotation and traceability of all items. Prepare warehouse and associated storage systems for physical inventories.
Lead and support physical inventories, cycle counts, and audit activities, ensuring absolute inventory accuracy and strict SOP compliance.
Maintain clean, organized dock and storage areas to promote maximum operational efficiency and inventory accuracy.
Lead strategic inventory tempering processes, expertly balancing quantity restrictions, physical space limitations, and labor allocation to optimize product readiness.
Own the end-to-end management of undergrade product, including strict tracking, usage compliance, and age monitoring to minimize waste.
Oversee resource and capacity management for the facility; optimize headcount and forklift utilization, and proactively flag or request additional logistics resources as required by shifting production demands.
Serve as the primary liaison and provide comprehensive operational oversight to third-party logistics (3PL) partners and the Ditto facility; lead the planning and execution strategies for seasonal swings in both inbound and outbound volumes.
Ensure all transactions are recorded timely and accurately to reflect a correct inventory position at any time. These include shipments, donations, product loss and damage.
Ensure full compliance with all quality assurance standards, especially good housekeeping and overall cleanliness of products and work areas.
Collaborate in a cross-functional manner as a change agent with all departments within the division or company.
Actively promote and effectively communicate company values, safety policies, loss control targets, and quality assurance standards to department.
Is responsible for expense management and control, including cooler dump, labor and overhead costs utilizing approved methods.
Manage issues and serve as an escalation point to resolve complex or new issues; remove barriers to employee and workplace success.
Effectively lead employees to promote positive and productive working relationships. Understand and effectively apply work rules, union contract provisions if applicable, and employment policies.
Provide for the management of assigned employees in daily operations, ensuring effective selection, retention, feedback, disciplinary action, and performance management. Work with Human Resources and plant management to resolve employee grievances. Actively communicate with employees through shift meetings and informal methods.
Actively promote safe work behaviors and hold self and direct reports accountable for following safety rules and regulations. Conduct accident/injury investigations and send reports of injury to HR in a timely manner to meet reporting standards. May coordinate and/or facilitate plant safety meetings, training, and incentive programs.
Proactively look for ways to increase operational efficiency and contain costs. Identify and implement best practices in establishing SOP's, managing labor, and maintaining applicable certifications. Think creatively and abstractly to develop alternative possibilities to drive improvement.
The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Other duties may be assigned as required.
Requirements
Education and Experience:
Undergraduate degree in business administration, supply chain and logistics, or related curriculum (or equivalent combination of experience and education)
5 to 8 years of experience in a warehouse, cooler, distribution, production, logistics, or related environment coupled with supervisory experience
Management experience preferred
Certification and/or License - may be required during course of employment
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Strong team player and leader with the ability to work across multiple functions and disciplines.
Demonstrates ability to establish accountability metrics, manage KPIs, and execute performance-driven corrective actions.
Strong understanding of inventory control strategies, including tempering operations, undergrad product tracking, and 3PL vendor management.
Ability to manage resource utilization (labor, space, fleet equipment) and strategically forecast needs based on production volume and seasonal fluctuations.
Knowledge and understanding of the financial and budgeting functions of an organization.
Knowledge of and skill with Microsoft Office Suite and company computer systems with required SAP experience.
Knowledge of principles and practices of supervision, training, and personnel management.
Able to promote a team environment; able to select, coach, develop, engage, and retain a team of employees.
Able to adapt to changing organizational and operational needs; able to lead others through change.
Able to interact positively and work effectively with others (interpersonal skills).
Able to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Able to communicate with various levels of personnel to ensure customers' needs and requirements are met.
Able to problem solve, multi-task and prioritize work activities.
Able to consider both strategic and practical implications for proposed course of action.
Must be able to read, write and speak English.
An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans
