Branch Operations Manager

Position Summary

Viking Group is seeking an experienced Branch Operations Manager to lead a high-performing branch that combines industrial distribution, warehouse operations, and fabrication services. This leader is responsible for delivering exceptional customer service while driving operational excellence, safety, profitability, inventory performance, and employee engagement. The successful candidate will have a proven background leading manufacturing, fabrication, or industrial operations where production, inventory, logistics, and customer responsiveness are equally critical.

We are looking for a hands-on operational leader who understands how to build strong teams, improve processes, develop talent, and create a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all branch operations including warehouse, inventory, shipping/receiving, fabrication, customer service, and safety.
• Drive operational excellence through Lean principles, continuous improvement, waste reduction, and process optimization.
• Ensure fabrication operations consistently deliver quality products on time while maintaining productivity and safety goals.
• Develop and coach supervisors and employees through performance management, training, and succession planning.
• Manage branch financial performance including P&L, budgeting, capital planning, labor productivity, and operating expenses.
• Partner with Sales, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Regional Operations to align inventory and production with customer demand.
• Monitor and improve KPIs including fill rate, inventory accuracy, on-time delivery, safety, labor utilization, productivity, and customer satisfaction.
• Maintain compliance with OSHA, DOT, company SOPs, and environmental and safety regulations.
• Build strong relationships with customers while resolving escalated operational issues.
• Promote a culture of teamwork, accountability, continuous improvement, and exceptional customer service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field preferred; equivalent leadership experience considered.
• 5+ years leading manufacturing, fabrication, industrial distribution, warehouse, or similar industrial operations.
• Experience leading fabrication, machining, metalworking, pipe processing, or similar production environments strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success managing P&L, budgets, productivity, inventory, and operational metrics.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing workflows, inventory control, quality systems, production scheduling, and continuous improvement.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams including warehouse, fabrication, customer service, shipping, and inventory.
• Working knowledge of OSHA, DOT, and industrial safety practices.
• Strong leadership, coaching, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency with ERP/WMS systems and Microsoft Office.

Preferred Industry Background

Candidates with experience in the following industries are highly encouraged to apply:

• Fire Protection
• Industrial Distribution
• Pipe Fabrication
• Metal Fabrication
• Steel Service Centers
• Building Products
• Mechanical Products
• Industrial Manufacturing
• HVAC
• Plumbing Distribution
• Industrial Supply
• Industrial MRO
• Construction Products

ENVIRONMENT:

• Normal office environment with occasional interaction in warehouse and manufacturing environments.
• Lab/production environment with some disagreeable elements such as noise, dust, fumes, heat, and safety hazards, etc.
• Requires some lifting, installing cable and other light physical activities.
• Subject to frequent interruptions of normal routine.
• May require travel to US and international locations.
• May require effort and support outside of normal business hours.

EQUIPMENT USED:

• Must be able to operate personal computers
• Forklift experience
• Order Picker experience
• RF Gun

LEVEL OF SUPERVISION PROVIDED:

• Direct supervision responsibility, including performance assessments, of 1-10 employees.
• Direct supervision responsibility, including performance assessments, of more than 15 employees.