Distribution Center Manager | Frederick

Distribution Center Manager | Frederick

Albert Uster Imports is in search of a new Distribution Center Manager in our Frederick Warehouse. The manager will manage all aspects of the warehouse and facility including Staffing, Shipping, Receiving, Inventory Management, Routine Good Distribution Practices (GDP) Compliance Management and Facilities Maintenance. They will evaluate and work toward cost reduction through increased efficiency and innovation and meet or exceed established budgets, and metrics for all areas of the warehouse operation. The ideal candidate will demonstrate proficiency in all aspects of the Distribution Center operation, including the Company's Warehouse Management and Shipping Systems and will be responsible for the training and development of all DC Team Members. The Distribution Center Manager will communicate business changes and needs to all personnel and interfaces with other areas of the business as required. This position must support all aspects of the day-to-day operation of the warehouse and serve as the focal point of contact for all problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage all inbound and outbound product transfers, ensuring orders are accurately processed, staged, scanned, verified, and shipped within 48 hours of receipt, obtaining approval for any required changes.
• Oversee daily receiving operations for all inbound transfers and purchase orders, ensuring products are scanned, put away, and posted within 624 business hours,
• Ensure all discrepancies (OS&D, PO issues,) are promptly identified, documented and reported per established procedures.
• Manage customer returns according to company guidelines and ensure proper disposition.
• Serve as the main point of accountability for transfer accuracy, receiving performance, and shipping execution between distribution centers.
• Ensure all customer orders received before cutoff are picked, scanned, packed, labeled, and shipped same day, following proper packaging standards and minimizing shipping errors through training and process controls.
• Oversee repacking, relabeling, and sample order preparation, ensuring accuracy, proper documentation, and compliance with food safety and quality standards.
• Coordinate closely with Customer Service, common carriers (UPS, FedEx), and LTL carriers (dry and refrigerated) to manage routing, claims, OS&D, pickups, late or mid-day sweeps, and overall shipping performance.
• Maintain strong working knowledge of FedEx, UPS, international shipping requirements, and freight carrier systems, schedule daily pickups and proactively communicate volume trends to ensure on-time delivery.
• Oversee all inventory activities, including restocking, rotation (FEFO), lot tracking, location accuracy, re-barcoding, cycle counts, and physical inventories to maintain inventory accuracy within established budget guidelines.
• Ensure proper storage, protection, and inspection of inventory, identify and report non-conforming, overstocked, or short-stocked products, and coordinate adjustments or disposition (donation or disposal) with Purchasing.
• Actively participate in stock level reviews and perform weekly inspections to proactively address inventory issues.
• Manage overall warehouse operations to meet company standards, seasonal business demands, and budget targets (labor, freight, supplies), while adhering to the Company's Good Distribution Program (GDP) and always ensuring audit readiness.
• Maintain a secure, clean, safe, and hygienic warehouse, docks, and building perimeter. Ensuring compliance with all governmental regulations, food safety requirements, and company policies.
• Conduct regular facility inspections, coordinate corrective maintenance, and oversee preventative maintenance programs for HVAC, refrigeration, pest control, fire prevention, and security systems to protect inventory and company assets.
• Implement and maintain Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) programs within the Distribution Center, serving as the local subject matter expert on the Company's Food Safety Program.
• Partner with the Quality Team and participate in annual audits, inspections, and corrective actions as required.
• Ensure timely ordering and availability of all warehouse and packaging supplies, including boxes, tape, pallets, dry ice, ice packs, and other warehouse-related materials.
• Identify new packaging solutions to improve efficiency or reduce costs and audit packaging vendors, including annual rate shopping.
• Recruit, train, schedule, coach, and develop warehouse personnel, fostering teamwork, accountability, and a positive workplace culture aligned with company values.
• Evaluate performance, provide documented feedback, conduct staff meetings, and manage disciplinary or termination actions as required.
• Ensure employee safety and emergency preparedness by enforcing safety procedures, responding appropriately to workplace incidents, and coordinating emergency or first-aid support when needed.

Qualifications and Skills

Required

• 8+ years of progressive warehouse or logistics experience, with demonstrated leadership in shipping, receiving, and transfer operations within a high-volume environment.
• Knowledge of modern warehousing techniques including logistics, special handling/storage requirements and shipping alternatives
• Ability to lead, motivate and supervise employees; Must have the ability to communicate, both actively, and pro-actively
• Ability to establish priorities, work independently and proceed to objectives without supervision; Ability to handle and resolve recurring problems
• Physical requirements (lifting, etc.): The ability to lift 50 lbs
• Ability to travel domestically as required
• Must be willing to work overtime, holidays and weekends as workload dictates

Preferred

• Bachelor's Degree
• Forklift certification or equivalent experience

Salary Range

The base salary for this role will be $75,000 - $85,000. This role will be bonus eligible. Based on your qualifications, previous experience, and transferrable skills, the Company will determine at its sole discretion, the salary offered.