Robot Operations Manager

Midwest Refrigerated Services is a full-service 3PL company providing refrigerated logistics services for the food industry. Based in Milwaukee, WI, we operate the largest fresh 48 state LTL consolidation pool with more than 100 trucks, and offer multiple sites with cooler, and air-conditioned storage, distribution, and cross-docking services. We operate refrigerated and non-refrigerated warehouses for storage needs but also Value-Added Services such as specialty packing, kitting and fulfillment needs. We work with some of the household names that your family puts on the dinner table every night. It’s an important job, one that makes a difference in your community. This is the first step in launching your career with a family-run company that cares about you, your family and your success. We encourage our employees to learn and grow with us, while enjoying the friendly culture and great benefits that come with the MRS experience.

General Position Overview:

The Operations Manager is directly responsible for the overall performance of the warehouse. This manager will deliver quality performance through developing a culture where employees excel, relentlessly strive for improvement, anticipating issues and creatively solving problems.

At Midwest Refrigerated Services, we are driven by our Midwest Values of:

• Modesty
• Integrity
• Dependability
• Work Ethic
• Efficiency
• Safety
• Trust

It is expected that all employees exemplify these values.

General Accountabilities Include:

• Direct communication and supervisor with robot operators and warehouse staff
• Assure that all MRS policies and procedures are followed.
• Nurture a safety-minded culture.
• Maintains high sanitation and food safety standards.
• Monitoring and adherence to benchmarking standards.
• Resolve customer issues.
• Responsible for all facets of the robot operations including Robot KPIs
• Maximize productivity of the robot operators and the robots to ensure needs are being met of customer demand.
• Set up and coordination of orders into/out of the robot area.
• Allocate and release orders to the warehouse floor.
• Balancing workflow and prioritizing tasks based on inventory levels and incoming orders
• Utilizing dock optimization tools for efficient loading and unloading
• Managing production shortages and orders.
• Monitoring and improving the performance of the robotic system in relation to overall warehouse operations.
• Technical working knowledge of how the robot functions
• Ability to identify WMS and Robot system issues and work with various IT’s for resolution.
• Recommend disciplinary actions when necessary.
• Participate in the hiring and onboarding process.
• Cover for absences/vacations of other Shift Supervisors and Office Staff.
• Participate in off-hours meetings and off-hours training.
• Accessorial charge documentation.
• Set up, operate and maintain the robot layer picker.
• Troubleshooting skills
• Maintains shift documentation (i.e., Metal Detector and Batch Order Verifications)
• Reads production schedule and plans accordingly.
• Reads and interprets schedule in MicroStrategy.
• Able to print labels on different printers, choosing correct program for each printer; move eye and clean printers.
• Perform nitrogen testing.
• Efficiently maintains the operation of packaging machinery by monitoring codes, dates, and prices.
• Maintains an adequate supply of roll stock and ensures all packaging materials are available for each machine.
• Set up and write new programs for bag makers.
• Writes and/or edits machine micro logic as needed to maintain an efficient and low waste operation.
• Creating and modifying code dates.
• Performs preventative maintenance on equipment. Sets up and makes minor scale repairs and adjustments.

Skills Required:

• Direct supervision of robot operators and the robot
• Nurture a safety-minded culture
• Exceptional problem solving & decision-making skills
• Ability to read & write in English
• Ability to function effectively in a fast-paced, team environment
• Ability to work with all levels of management
• Developing, monitoring and adherence to benchmarking standards.
• Incident and near-miss investigation
• Participates in the hiring and employee onboarding process
• Initiates and administers appropriate disciplinary actions when necessary

Prerequisites:

• High school diploma (or equivalent)
• Technical aptitude
• Preferred robotics background

Performance Measurements:

• RIFR (Recordable Incident Frequency)
• Downtime of Machinery
• Satisfactory regulatory and customer audit results.
• Operation performance metrics per customer agreements.
• Employee training goals.
• Productivity output.

Benefits and Perks:

MRS benefit offerings include medical, dental, vision, Flex Spending Account, Dependent Care Flex Spending Account available the 1st of the month following 30 days of hire. Additional benefits available 1st of the month following 60 days of hire include Critical Illness, Identity Theft, company paid life insurance, company paid short-term disability, company paid long term disability and 401K plan with company match. Our employees also enjoy Paid Time Off (PTO), Holiday Pay (with 2 Floating Holidays), Referral Bonuses, and access to the EAP program. Our benefits provide employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their needs.

We encourage Veterans to apply. Each applicant will be required to pass all pre-employment testing. We thank all applicants in advance for their interest; however, only those applicants who are being considered for an interview, or are currently employed by MRS, will be contacted.

Midwest Refrigerated Services, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a drug-free workplace.