VP of Operations – Food Cold Chain - CS Recruiting : Job Details

This range is provided by CS Recruiting. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

$175,000.00/yr - $200,000.00/yr

The VP of Operations will be part of the leadership team and be responsible for overseeing and optimizing all warehouse, logistics, and supply chain operations to ensure efficient and timely product delivery. This includes managing warehouse operations, inventory, and transportation, while ensuring compliance with food safety and quality standards. The role involves developing and executing logistics strategies, managing budgets, and implementing technology solutions to improve efficiency. Additionally, this position will lead a team of professionals, manage vendor relationships, and ensure regulatory compliance. Continuous improvement, cost control, and performance tracking are also key responsibilities, with the goal of maximizing operational efficiency and meeting business objectives.

• Managing large inventories, forecasting demand, and ensuring stock accuracy.
• Optimizing transportation routes, managing costs, and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations during transit.
• Leveraging WMS software and technology for tracking inventory, optimizing storage, and improving order fulfillment.
• Understanding of regulatory requirements such as the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).
• Proficiency in managing regulatory inspections and ensuring compliance with safety, hygiene, and transportation standards.
• Curious and embraces process improvement methodologies to enhance efficiency and reduce waste.
• Skills in forecasting demand, managing capacity, and scaling operations during peak seasons.
• Proven track record of managing large multi-shift teams, developing talent, and fostering a positive and respectful working environment.
• Proven ability to lead through operational changes or technology implementations and manage resistance to change.
• Knowledge of systems to integrate warehouse, transportation, and other supply chain functions.
• Understanding of warehouse automation technologies.
• Background in managing budgets, minimizing operating costs, and identifying strategies to minimize transportation expenses.
• Experience negotiating with third-party providers and suppliers.
• Proven ability to work with other departments to ensure alignment on product availability, lead times, and customer satisfaction.
• Experience meeting customer delivery requirements, managing distribution performance, and resolving logistics-related issues.
• Experience creating contingency plans for disruptions, such as weather, employee absences, technology interruptions, etc.
• Knowledge of food safety risk factors and ways to minimize risks in warehousing and transportation operations.

• Bachelor's degree is not required, but preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in a distribution company; experience in the food industry.
• Significant warehouse and logistics leadership background, leading operations with at least 50 trucks and a team of 75+ drivers.
• Extensive knowledge of the entire supply chain process, from procurement to distribution.
• Experience elevating and professionalizing operations to help drive business growth and team performance.
• Knowledge of transportation management systems, route optimization, and last-mile delivery.
• Experience managing perishable goods in cold storage and ensuring integrity of the cold chain during transportation and storage (preferred).
• Knowledge of Food Safety Regulations and other relevant safety standards.
• Collaboration with procurement, sales, and finance to align logistics and warehousing strategy.
• Background in identifying, attracting, and retaining high-performing team members.
• Expertise in inventory control systems, Warehouse Management Systems, and methods to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
• Operates with a high sense of urgency and inspires the team to drive and perform at their best.
• Highly adept and hands-on leader with strong communication and engagement skills at all levels.
• Experience managing and partnering with vendors.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Competence in operational efficiency and process optimization.
• Comfortable and able to work in a chilled warehouse environment.

This position offers a competitive base salary.