Warehouse Operations Manager
KDS Strategic Search Group · Newark, New Jersey, United States
FULL TIMEpermanent
Job Description
Title: Operations ManagerLocation: Newark, NJExperience level: 7+ years in manufacturing or wholesale distributionCompensation: $90K-$110K
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SummaryThe Operations & Commercial General Manager serves as a strategic and hands-on executive leader driving operational excellence, commercial growth, and innovation across a dynamic enterprise comprising manufacturing (approximately 70%), wholesale distribution (approximately 30%), and product development. This executive oversees end-to-end plant operations, warehousing, supply chain logistics, vendor management, and enterprise technology implementations (ERP/WMS/CRM), while partnering closely with Product R&D and commercial teams to accelerate new product introductions (NPI), optimize brand P&L, expand market share, and lead high-performing teams.
Key ResponsibilitiesOperational Leadership & Logistics: Direct all manufacturing facilities, warehouse operations, distribution centers, inventory management, shipping/receiving, logistics, and labor planning to achieve peak efficiency and customer fulfillment.Product R&D & Commercialization: Partner closely with Product R&D, Engineering, and Quality on design-for-manufacturing (DFM), prototype transitions, BOM accuracy, commercialization timelines, and continuous product improvement.Commercial Strategy & Market Expansion: Develop and execute growth strategies that align operational capability with customer demand, optimizing brand-level P&L, pricing strategies, and sales channels that yield maximum ROI.Vendor & Contract Management: Oversee strategic procurement and vendor negotiations, establishing favorable contract terms, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and service-level agreements to optimize performance and reduce unit costs.Marketing & Promotional Logistics: Lead promotional, advertising, and marketing operational logistics, including SOP development, scheduling, digital campaign coordination, and event execution to strengthen brand visibility.Digital Transformation & Technology Integration: Champion organizational change management through technology, guiding ERP implementation, WMS integration, CRM adoption, and data readiness.Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence: Instill a culture of Lean, Six Sigma, 5S, and Kaizen methodologies to elevate safety standards, manufacturing yields, inventory accuracy, and overall throughput.Customer Relationship Management: Cultivate deep customer and channel relationships, transforming data-driven market feedback into actionable operational and service enhancements.Team Development & Mentorship: Lead, mentor, and build high-performing management, technical, sales, and frontline teams across both plant and corporate operations.
Required Qualifications7+ years of progressive executive operations leadership encompassing manufacturing and wholesale distribution; experience in automotive aftermarket, tools, equipment, or related technical distribution environments is highly valued.Demonstrated success leading cross-functional integration between Operations, Product R&D, Engineering, and Commercial/Sales teams during New Product Introduction (NPI) cycles.Proven track record in vendor negotiation, contract development, margin optimization, and brand P&L management.Direct hands-on experience supporting large-scale enterprise systems integration, including ERP, WMS, and CRM platforms.Advanced expertise in Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma continuous improvement, quality systems, and supply chain analytics.Exceptional executive decision-making, stakeholder communication, change leadership, and talent development capabilities.
Preferred QualificationsBachelor’s or Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business. xzbcwsv Industry certifications such as Six Sigma Green/Black Belt, Lean Manufacturing, APICS (CPIM/CSCP), or OSHA safety credentials.
Core CompetenciesDirector Leadership & Strategic Decision-MakingEnd-to-End Supply Chain & Plant OperationsProduct Commercialization & DFM AlignmentVendor Negotiation & Contract StructuringP&L, Pricing & Margin OptimizationERP/WMS/CRM Transformation & Data AnalyticsLean/Kaizen & Continuous Process ImprovementCustomer Cultivation & Channel GrowthKey Performance Indicators (KPIs)Overall production throughput and manufacturing yieldNew product launch readiness, time-to-market, and DFM cost reductionOn-time delivery (OTD) and fulfillment accuracyInventory control accuracy and working capital optimizationChannel profitability, brand P&L performance, and margin expansionTotal labor productivity, operational efficiency, and ROI per sales channelFacility safety performance and regulatory compliance
Reporting & Organizational StructureDirect Reports: Plant & Warehouse Supervisors, Inventory Control Manager, Shipping/Receiving Line Manager, Product R&D Manager, Logistics/Transport Coordinators, and Commercial/Marketing CoordinatorsIndirect Reports: Frontline production leads, warehouse associates, material handlers, forklift operators, and seasonal staff
Is this your next job Read the full description below to find out, and do not hesitate to make an application.
SummaryThe Operations & Commercial General Manager serves as a strategic and hands-on executive leader driving operational excellence, commercial growth, and innovation across a dynamic enterprise comprising manufacturing (approximately 70%), wholesale distribution (approximately 30%), and product development. This executive oversees end-to-end plant operations, warehousing, supply chain logistics, vendor management, and enterprise technology implementations (ERP/WMS/CRM), while partnering closely with Product R&D and commercial teams to accelerate new product introductions (NPI), optimize brand P&L, expand market share, and lead high-performing teams.
Key ResponsibilitiesOperational Leadership & Logistics: Direct all manufacturing facilities, warehouse operations, distribution centers, inventory management, shipping/receiving, logistics, and labor planning to achieve peak efficiency and customer fulfillment.Product R&D & Commercialization: Partner closely with Product R&D, Engineering, and Quality on design-for-manufacturing (DFM), prototype transitions, BOM accuracy, commercialization timelines, and continuous product improvement.Commercial Strategy & Market Expansion: Develop and execute growth strategies that align operational capability with customer demand, optimizing brand-level P&L, pricing strategies, and sales channels that yield maximum ROI.Vendor & Contract Management: Oversee strategic procurement and vendor negotiations, establishing favorable contract terms, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and service-level agreements to optimize performance and reduce unit costs.Marketing & Promotional Logistics: Lead promotional, advertising, and marketing operational logistics, including SOP development, scheduling, digital campaign coordination, and event execution to strengthen brand visibility.Digital Transformation & Technology Integration: Champion organizational change management through technology, guiding ERP implementation, WMS integration, CRM adoption, and data readiness.Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence: Instill a culture of Lean, Six Sigma, 5S, and Kaizen methodologies to elevate safety standards, manufacturing yields, inventory accuracy, and overall throughput.Customer Relationship Management: Cultivate deep customer and channel relationships, transforming data-driven market feedback into actionable operational and service enhancements.Team Development & Mentorship: Lead, mentor, and build high-performing management, technical, sales, and frontline teams across both plant and corporate operations.
Required Qualifications7+ years of progressive executive operations leadership encompassing manufacturing and wholesale distribution; experience in automotive aftermarket, tools, equipment, or related technical distribution environments is highly valued.Demonstrated success leading cross-functional integration between Operations, Product R&D, Engineering, and Commercial/Sales teams during New Product Introduction (NPI) cycles.Proven track record in vendor negotiation, contract development, margin optimization, and brand P&L management.Direct hands-on experience supporting large-scale enterprise systems integration, including ERP, WMS, and CRM platforms.Advanced expertise in Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma continuous improvement, quality systems, and supply chain analytics.Exceptional executive decision-making, stakeholder communication, change leadership, and talent development capabilities.
Preferred QualificationsBachelor’s or Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business. xzbcwsv Industry certifications such as Six Sigma Green/Black Belt, Lean Manufacturing, APICS (CPIM/CSCP), or OSHA safety credentials.
Core CompetenciesDirector Leadership & Strategic Decision-MakingEnd-to-End Supply Chain & Plant OperationsProduct Commercialization & DFM AlignmentVendor Negotiation & Contract StructuringP&L, Pricing & Margin OptimizationERP/WMS/CRM Transformation & Data AnalyticsLean/Kaizen & Continuous Process ImprovementCustomer Cultivation & Channel GrowthKey Performance Indicators (KPIs)Overall production throughput and manufacturing yieldNew product launch readiness, time-to-market, and DFM cost reductionOn-time delivery (OTD) and fulfillment accuracyInventory control accuracy and working capital optimizationChannel profitability, brand P&L performance, and margin expansionTotal labor productivity, operational efficiency, and ROI per sales channelFacility safety performance and regulatory compliance
Reporting & Organizational StructureDirect Reports: Plant & Warehouse Supervisors, Inventory Control Manager, Shipping/Receiving Line Manager, Product R&D Manager, Logistics/Transport Coordinators, and Commercial/Marketing CoordinatorsIndirect Reports: Frontline production leads, warehouse associates, material handlers, forklift operators, and seasonal staff