General Manager

Van Eerden Foodservice is a fourth-generation, family-owned foodservice distributor with over 100 years of Delivering a Great Customer Experience! We believe nothing brings food and families together like sharing a meal. By serving our customers and employees with care, we allow others to do what the VE family values as an important family tradition, sharing a meal with friends and family. We are rooted in quality and service and we strive to deliver Fresh Ideas, Fresh Products, and Fresh Solutions to our customers each and every day.

Summary:

As the General Manager (GM) of Van Eerden Foodservice’s new Fort Wayne distribution facility (currently under construction), you will establish, lead, and manage all aspects of the facility’s operations to ensure efficient, safe, and profitable operations. This includes driving strategic plans, overseeing daily operations, optimizing P&L performance, managing cross-functional teams, and fostering strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. You will be responsible for maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety, and productivity, while aligning the facility’s operations with company policies and objectives.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

• Leadership & Operational Management: Lead and manage all daily functions at the facility, including shipping, receiving, inventory management, transportation, IT, facilities management, and administration operations, ensuring adherence to company policies and performance standards.
• P&L Responsibility & Budgeting: Develop and manage budgets to achieve financial targets. Drive sales, profitability, cash flow, and other key business metrics.
• Strategic Planning & Execution: Collaborate with leadership to create and implement operational strategies that align with corporate goals. Regularly review progress and adjust strategies as needed.
• Sales & Market Growth: Build strong relationships with local teams, regional leadership, and customers to drive sales growth, support regional and national business opportunities both in foodservice distribution and 3PL, and provide a great customer experience.
• Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence: Focus on improving productivity, equipment utilization, and operational processes. Drive the adoption of best practices and continuously enhance the plant’s efficiency.
• Reporting & Metrics: Ensure accurate, timely, and comprehensive reporting on key operational and financial metrics. Monitor plant performance to meet or exceed company goals.
• Compliance & Safety: Ensure adherence to local, state, and federal regulations, including safety, quality, and environmental standards. Lead initiatives to maintain high safety standards and address any operational issues.
• Team Leadership & Development: Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing team. Foster a positive, collaborative, and mission-driven work culture. Conduct regular performance reviews and ensure career development opportunities for team members.
• Communication & Relationship Management: Act as the facility’s representative with customers, employees, local authorities, and business partners. Maintain open communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Problem-Solving & Conflict Resolution: Proactively identify operational challenges and implement practical, effective solutions to maintain smooth operations.

This list of duties is not intended to be all inclusive, and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time.

Essential Skills and Qualifications:

• Minimum of 8 years in an operations leadership role (warehousing, logistics, processing, or manufacturing), preferably in a food distribution environment.

Skills & Abilities:

• Proven experience in managing P&L, budgeting, and financial analysis.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills, with experience in recruiting, training, and mentoring staff.
• Knowledge of FSQA (Food Safety and Quality Assurance) and refrigeration systems management, and continuous improvement tools.
• Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to engage and influence various stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving abilities, able to address challenges proactively and drive solutions.
• Technical expertise with an ability to work with various IT systems and software.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Physical Demands and Work Conditions:

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and use hands for computer work.
• Occasional lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work in varying environmental conditions, including cold and wet manufacturing areas.
• The role may require occasional travel for meetings and operational needs.
• The work environment is typically moderate in noise, with occasional exposure to warehouse conditions.