River Valley, a growing specialty foods and consumable products distributor in Syracuse, NY, is searching for a full time Warehouse Manager.

River Valley Holdings is a family-owned distribution company based in Syracuse, NY, serving retail customers across the northeastern United States. The River Valley family of companies: River Valley Foods, Cavallaro Foods and Garden Spot Foods, distributes a wide range of specialty dry and frozen grocery items and consumable products out of warehouses in Syracuse, NY and New Holland, PA.

The Warehouse Manager is a key leadership position responsible for all aspects of warehouse planning and execution including inventory management, shipping, and receiving. Further responsibilities include developing lean and innovative management processes that will support continued growth and influence business initiatives requiring enhanced warehousing techniques and procedures.

The Warehouse Manager reports to the Vice President of Operations. This is an in-house position (not remote) primarily located at our Syracuse, New York, office.

This position is FULL TIME with competitive benefit offerings:

• Medical & Dental benefits
• Life & Disability Insurances
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental insurance
• Continuing Education Partnership
• 401k & Roth IRA with company match
• 2 weeks of vacation per year
• Employee assistance program
• Employee purchase program
• Protective footwear allowance after 90 days
• Opportunity for advancement

Warehouse Operations Responsibilities

• Oversee day to day operations of all warehouse locations; including managing staffing levels, productivity, workloads and inventory utilizing SOPs
• Manage efficiently and effectively to support day to day operations while completing key projects and analysis
• Strong ability to leverage technology to drive efficiencies and quality in processes; including experience leading implementation and use of a Warehouse Management System
• Oversee and establish best practice solutions for pick and pack warehouse operations, including order accuracy and picking efficiency
• Ensure that products are received and put-away in an efficient manner to eliminate down time and delays in start-up times and shift changeovers
• Develop and execute operational procedures for activities including verification of incoming and outgoing shipments, handling and disposition of freight, and maintaining inventory accuracy
• Manage inventory control systems including daily cycle counts and annual physical inventories
• Identify the causes of product losses and ensure necessary corrections are made
• Ensure that deliveries consistently meet out bound expectations
• Support Customer Service and Sales Departments urgent delivery requests from customers and maintain strong communication to ensure that our commitments are met
• Work closely with department managers to provide warehouse solutions to improve our service to both internal and external customers while effectively managing costs
• Ensure that warehouse operations promote safety in the workplace and run legally and in conformance with established regulations and SQF standards
• Maintain required levels of certifications and trainings for warehouse equipment used by warehouse team
• Integrate Lean and Six Sigma concepts within the warehouse operations

Operational Planning Responsibilities

• Support budget and forecasting process to drive improved profitability; including the development of key distribution center metrics for tracking and reporting daily, weekly, and monthly performance
• Review of financial information and budgets monthly to meet or surpass profitability targets
• Build monthly, quarterly and annual performance goals and define objectives to meet set goals

Leadership Responsibilities

• Establish and achieve warehouse operations human resource objectives including recruiting, selecting, training, coaching, counseling and disciplining staff
• Clearly Communicate job position expectations and hold team accountable
• Create an engaging, positive working environment aligned to River Valley’s core values
• Manage the performance and compensation review process for new hires as well as the annual review process for the entire team
• Quickly assess operational situations that develop and promptly deploy resources to resolve
• Work closely with management team to set and implement continuous improvement programs
• Encourage change to drive improvements
• Empower others to perform at high levels and execute set policies and procedures promoting the use of KPIs
• Motivate and inspire the team to improve daily and to succeed
• Maintain focus on team building and leadership development
• Enforce best practices on a consistent basis across all locations

Analytical Responsibilities

• Proactively forecast and manage warehouse capacity constraints based on sales forecasts and work with department managers to avoid disruptions in service
• Use strong analytics with a statistical approach to support inventory planning
• Implement best practice warehouse management design to optimize space, via racking design and other alternatives, to maximize labor productivity
• Perform analysis to ensure labor is utilized effectively throughout the year
• Develop a staffing model to accommodate seasonal labor fluctuations

Skills and Qualification Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years Management level experience with warehouse operations, logistics, distribution and inventory systems preferably across multiple sites
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience managing strategic and tactical execution for warehouse operations
• Supply Chain certifications and Lean Six Sigma desirable
• Clear understanding of development of appropriate KPIs
• Strong knowledge of advanced analysis techniques within Excel such as vlookup, pivot tables and macros
• Capacity to work in a challenging and changing fast paced environment
• Demonstrated passion for training and developing people and systems
• Tenacious approach to delegating responsibilities and authority to maximize employees’ skills and results
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Sharp problem solving and analytical skills
• Good understanding of financial statements and concepts
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Highly accountable and passionate about follow through
• Effective Multi-tasking proficiencies
• Ability to work in a team environment and drive change
• Flexible availability with scheduling

River Valley Holdings is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)