Area Director

Area Director – Manufacturing & Distribution

Responsible for leading and overseeing multi‑state manufacturing locations, distribution centers, private fleet operations, and financial performance while aligning with all company goals.

• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations and sustainability mapping activities.
• Promote a performance‑driven, continuous‑improvement culture, fostering innovation and creativity within the plant.
• Collaborate with the regional vice president to provide insights on process‑improvement opportunities for safety, quality, delivery, production, and cost reduction; obtain approval, develop plans, and lead implementation.
• Lead and achieve pricing and sales outcomes, establishing profitable relationships by prospecting new accounts and maximizing sales potential with existing customers.
• Partner with commercial and revenue‑management teams to execute strategic sales, marketing, customer, and pricing initiatives across the market.
• Implement and model customer‑service standards across multiple operations, ensuring alignment with customer needs and company goals.
• Participate in short‑ and long‑term strategic planning and identify ways to improve efficiency, product quality, and cost management.
• Drive operational excellence, holding management teams accountable, and lead company change efforts to maximize results.
• Collaborate with plant managers, distribution‑center managers, and other direct reports to achieve strategic initiatives for each operating unit.
• Lead the implementation of strategic initiatives at multiple plants and distribution‑centers, providing status updates and escalating issues as required.
• Maintain overall area performance to meet regional goals, assessing performance against operating plans and standards.
• Participate in financial analysis, planning, and track P&L metrics; prepare, analyze, and reconcile financial reports; develop annual capital and expense budgets, build sales forecasts, and monitor operating and EBITDA budgets.
• Track budgets and progress toward monthly/annual sales and profit targets; conduct variance analysis and root‑cause analysis of financial performance.
• Document and present financial performance and KPI trends to the regional vice president and regional partners, driving initiatives to improve KPIs—particularly reducing CPU while maintaining quality and service.
• Create a positive culture that supports employee development and talent building; conduct staff meetings, communicate key initiatives, supervise, develop, and coach direct reports; support employee growth; identify and mentor high‑potential talent and develop succession plans.
• Coordinate hiring, training, headcount planning, performance management, and interviews for key positions among direct reports.
• Partner with human resources to establish, drive, and maintain people‑management practices and ensure 100% adherence to performance‑management timelines.
• Maintain high safety standards and uphold the company’s Code of Business Ethics.
• Perform any other duties and responsibilities as assigned by management.

• Enterprise leader with a track record of delivering results across complex, multi‑site operations.
• Strong financial and operational acumen with proven P&L ownership.
• Change leader thriving in dynamic, fast‑paced environments.
• Skilled at translating strategy into execution through teams.
• Builds trust through clear communication, fact‑based decisions, and a customer‑first mindset.

• College degree preferred.
• Minimum 5years’ experience in the ice business or related food‑production industry, understanding seasonal demand and manufacturing processes.
• 7+ years of leadership/management experience in a large manufacturing environment with multi‑site responsibility.
• 7+ years of leadership/management experience in a final‑mile distribution environment.
• Experience in a quick‑change environment preferred.
• Ability to work in a 24/7 environment.
• Knowledge of manufacturing and distribution capabilities, process improvements, root‑cause analysis, and computer skills.
• Project‑management or…