Job Description
Job Description
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.
Position Summary :
The Director of Distribution is a key leadership position responsible for overseeing all aspects of distribution operations across multiple locations, including warehousing, facility maintenance, transportation and inventory control. This role will focus on building and mentoring a strong leadership team of managers, supervisors and leads to ensure operational excellence and continued growth.
Wages :
- 115,000 - $165,000 per year
Key Responsibilities
Warehouse Operations :
Oversee warehouse operations across all locations, managing staffing levels, productivity, and inventory controlGuide and empower warehouse leadership in implementing best practices, ensuring that teams operate with efficiency and precisionLeverage technology and systems, including Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), to enhance process efficiency, quality, and productivityEstablish and enforce best practices for pick-and-pack operations, ensuring order accuracy and timely fulfillmentManage and maintain inventory control processes, including cycle counts and annual physical inventoriesEnsure operations comply with legal, regulatory, and SQF standards while fostering a culture of workplace safetyMaintain all necessary certifications and training for warehouse equipment and promote continuous staff developmentManage overall warehouse department expenses and ensure costs are in line with company targetsTransportation Operations :
Develop and implement strategic plans for optimizing routes, reducing fuel costs, and improving delivery times while maintaining product quality and safety standardsMaintain compliance with transportation regulations, including DOT, OSHA, and food safety standards, to ensure all shipments meet legal and industry standardsProvide leadership, mentoring, and performance management for the transportation department, fostering a high-performing and accountable teamRegularly review key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on-time delivery rates, cost per stop, and fuel efficiency, identifying opportunities for improvementMaintenance and Facility Management :
Oversee and ensure the proper maintenance of warehouse equipment, including forklifts, pallet jacks and sanitation equipmentDevelop and manage a maintenance schedule to minimize equipment downtime and extend the lifespan of assetsEnsure warehouse facilities are well-maintained, safe, and comply with regulatory requirements, collaborating with facility managers and outside vendors as neededImplement preventive maintenance programs to reduce operational interruptions and maintain high safety standardsTeam Development and Leadership :
Build, develop, and manage a strong operations leadership team, ensuring leads, supervisors, and managers are equipped with the skills and tools necessary for successRecruit, train, coach, and develop team members at all levels to foster continuous improvement and career progression within the organizationSet clear expectations for the leadership team, holding them accountable for performance metrics and operational outcomesFoster a positive, engaging, and collaborative work environment aligned with River Valley’s core valuesConduct regular performance reviews for operations employees, ensuring professional growth and alignment with company objectivesLead by example, creating an environment where team members are motivated, empowered, and equipped to deliver operational excellenceOperational Planning :
Support the budgeting and forecasting process, driving profitability by developing and tracking key distribution metricsAnalyze financial performance data and make strategic adjustments to meet or exceed profitability targetsDevelop monthly, quarterly, and annual performance goals for warehouse operations, setting clear objectives to drive continuous improvementDevelop and manage 3rd Party Storage capabilities and associated costs, billing and forecastingParticipate in planning and managing food production operationsAnalytical & Strategic Thinking :
Anticipate and address warehouse capacity constraints through careful analysis of sales forecasts and resource planningDeploy Risk Management processes to assess, monitor, and manage risks within distribution operations, focusing on preventive measures, compliance, and continuity planningUtilize data-driven insights to optimize warehouse space, racking design, and labor productivityAnalyze labor utilization trends and create staffing models that accommodate seasonal demand fluctuationsEvaluate and project the impact of routing changes on customer profitabilitySkills & Qualifications :
5 years of experience in a senior operations role, with proven success managing multi-site operations and leading teamsStrong background in developing and managing leadership teams, including supervisors and managersExperience with strategic and tactical execution of warehouse, logistics, and distribution operations, with experience in the Food Industry preferredProficient in key performance indicator (KPI) development and managementExperience implementing and using WMS and TMS software programsAdvanced Excel skills, including vlookup, pivot tables, and macros for data analysis and decision-makingStrong problem-solving abilities with a focus on innovation and continuous improvementProven ability to manage equipment and facility maintenance programs to ensure smooth operationsExcellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to lead cross-functional teamsStrong financial acumen with a solid understanding of budgeting, forecasting, and profitability analysisAbility to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with frequent changesHighly accountable and results-oriented with strong follow-through on commitmentsTeam-oriented, with a demonstrated ability to lead change and drive a culture of operational excellenceFlexible scheduling availability to meet the needs of a 24 / 7 operations environmentBenefits :
We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes :
Flexible Paid Time OffCompany paid holidaysHealth, prescription, and dental insuranceLife and disability insuranceSupplemental insurances401 (k) with company matchEmployee assistant programEmployee purchase programRiver Valley Holdings is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)
Salary : $115,000 - $165,000
