Distribution Center Warehousing Manager

Overview

Amer Sports is a dynamic, global sports company offering passionate achievement-oriented professionals the chance to succeed and flourish in an international environment. Our globally recognized brands include Salomon, Wilson, Atomic, Armada, and Arc’teryx.  We are a company where ambitious, competent and motivated people can make their mark. All our team members are ready to strive for the best of the company and to win together. Just like our customers, we are dedicated to an active lifestyle and sports.  Join us.

What You'll Do

This facility processes and distributes our outdoor and winter sports equipment, footwear, and apparel with the latest in high tech material handling and storage equipment.  Reporting directly to the Director, Warehousing of Americas, the Distribution Center (DC) manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the Ogden Amer Sports warehouse facility to ensure the timely dispatch of our products to the customers; including receiving goods, storing inventory, picking and packing orders, and outbound shipping to customers.  The leader will optimize and secure customer service and quality levels, lead and manage a team of up to 240 employees and keep focus on a high standard of health and safety, quality, inventory control and efficiency/cost control levels.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following areas of focus:

DC capacity planning and operations

• Plan DC activities and resources.
• Make the required storage capacity available.
• Track performance cost, service, quality, safety and drive and communicate corrective actions including focus on customer claims management.
• Ensure that operational procedures are in place and updated.
• Ensure compliance with national and professional regulations (security, safety, customs, SOX, OSHA).
• Work with the inbound global transportation team on inbound scheduling and focus on storage capacity and outbound throughput optimization by streamlining the workload and avoiding month end peaks.
• Proactively compiles the activity forecast information and anticipates seasonal and promotional peaks as well as maintain high efficiencies during low activity periods.
• Put a quality control system in place using problem solving approach, root cause analysis, corrective actions and error proof devices.
• Purchase and manage the inventory level of consumable material necessary for the DC activity.
• Responsible for leading the annual physical stock taking.

 Manage, organize and develop the team

• Put an organization in place where team leaders or experts are responsible for the main DC activities as inbound, outbound, storage, Value-Added Services (VAS), carrier management, customs, lean/continuous improvement activities, IT/SAP, data analytics, maintenance.
• Perform regular activity reviews with the leadership team to ensure internal communication flow for communication of the KPI, issues and actions, etc.
• Organize the team and standardize all functions (set clear job descriptions and measurable objectives) according to business and organizational needs.
• Ensure Standard Operating Procedures are well documented and maintained.
• Improve job flexibility (rotate the team members within different functions)
• Organize training plans for the team members and prepare their future development to ensure people retention and coverage of critical skills.
• Plan the vacations of the team end ensure that the standard functions are maintained during absence.
• Put in place, drive and follow up with team members on accountability and responsibility on adherence to the personal conduct and warehouse policies.
• Coach and support change management and mental well-being within the team.
• Lead and supervise a team of warehouse supervisors including delegation, hiring, training, performance evaluations, and corrective actions.
• Foster a positive work environment and promote employee engagement.

Budget and cost control

• Collaborate with the respective brands stakeholders and finance controllers to define and maintain the annual budget for the DC.
• Review with the finance controllers the monthly results and yearly forecast.
• Ensure regular consistency check with i-3PL targets, analyze deviations and take corrective actions.
• Drive actively productivity initiatives and ensure the timely follow-up.
• Provide forward-looking analysis and proactive communication in case of issues.
• Set, improve, and achieve operational goals to optimize warehouse efficiency.

Continuous improvement and productivity initiatives

• Drive performance management program, cost reduction and efficiency activities in close collaboration with the Lean global community and local team.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to simplify current standards and processes at all areas of the warehouse.
• Ensure adherence to all safety regulations and procedures withing the warehouse. 
• Adapt and extend the DC capabilities to serve the Omnichannel-Business in a service oriented and cost-efficient way.
• Implement technology upgrades and enhancements as needed to improve efficiency.
• Ensure that all productivity activities will get a clear financial benefit to Amer Sports.

What We're Looking For

This role requires a bachelor’s degree in a business-related field with a focus on supply chain, logistics or other operational type fields; equivalent work experience in lieu of degree may be considered.  This position also requires 8 years progressive experience in a fast-paced, high-volume distribution and automation operation and 8 years prior experience managing a multi-layered leadership organization. 

Other qualifications include:

Technical skills:

• Strategic thinking
• P&L management, budget creation
• Knowledge in warehouse automation and technologies
• Proven knowledge in Supply Chain processes
• Logistics experience and business management
• Lean oriented and a working knowledge of driving lean, continuous improvement and operational excellence. Innovate and become more efficient. 
• Strong analytical and negotiation skills
• ERP / WMS / SAP system, BI user knowledge
• Understanding of multiple distribution channels: wholesale, eCom-D2C, retail
• Business-oriented mindset with end-to-end value stream understanding

Managerial skills:

• Team management and building skills; development, empowerment, trust, collaboration, and inclusiveness.
• Problem solver; solution driven
• Effectively managing multiple tasks and tracking progress across various projects.
• Following up consistently to ensure timely completion of tasks and resolution of issues/concerns.
• Strong decision-making and change management ability; critical thinking, problem solving, emotional intelligence, risk management, and adaptability.
• Enthusiasm for continuous improvement, learning, and professional development for strong leadership skills with the ability to develop, maintain, and grow a team.
• Positive conflict management skills; active listening, empathetic, confidence, strong negotiation and mediation skills, diplomatic and assertive.
• Positive attitude to workplace learning, incorporating diverse perspectives and commitment to teamwork.
• Strong commitment to following, enforcing, and establishing Amer’s Core Values in the DC.
• Health & Safety acumen; OSHA, audits, etc.
• General understanding of compliance rules and regulations, risk management
• International business working experience favorable

 Behavioral skills:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to influence and effectively collaborate with internal and external stakeholders. Seasoned professional that understands and promotes all levels of communication
• Well-structured and organized.
• Ability to work and promote a multicultural and diverse work-environment
• Directive, supportive, participative and achievement-oriented.
• Customer focused, internal and external

What We’ll Provide:

This role is based at our modern distribution center in Ogden, Utah--the gateway to the many exciting ski areas and other outdoor recreation.  We offer a great working environment in the sports industry with talented & passionate colleagues all over the world!  Other benefits and perks include: 

• Medical, dental and vision available the month after hire
• Paid time off and Holidays
• 401k retirement plan
• Life insurance, pre-tax transit benefit program
• Discounts on Amer Sports products

Amer Sports is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristics.