Manager, Distribution Center

Distribution Center Manager

The Distribution Center Manager is responsible for leading all distribution center operations involving Teklad diets, laboratory animal shipments and related products. This role oversees warehousing, inventory management, transportation, customer service support and cross-network coordination with other distribution centers. The Distribution Center Manager provides leadership to employees, ensures regulatory compliance, drives operational efficiency and maintains exceptional service levels for internal and external customers.

• Lead daily distribution centre operations, including receiving, inventory management, order fulfillment, shipping and transportation activities.
• Supervise, coach and develop distribution centre staff while fostering a culture of safety, accountability and customer service.
• Coordinate shipments of laboratory animals, Teklad diets and related products while ensuring regulatory and quality standards are maintained.
• Serve as a key liaison between Customer Service, Operations, Transportation, Sales and other distribution centres to resolve issues and support business needs.
• Manage coast-to-coast inventory transfers and collaborate with network partners to maintain product availability and service performance.
• Ensure inventory accuracy through cycle counts, audits, reconciliation activities and inventory control practices.
• Maintain compliance with company policies, SOPs, DOT requirements, animal welfare standards and applicable regulatory guidelines.
• Investigate incidents, address operational issues and implement corrective actions to support a safe work environment.
• Oversee facility, fleet and equipment maintenance to ensure operational readiness.
• Monitor performance metrics and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity and customer satisfaction.
• Support budgeting, expense management and operational planning activities.
• Respond to after-hours operational emergencies and customer needs as required.
• Provide hands-on operational support, including warehouse and delivery activities when business conditions require.
• Utilize ERP systems (e.g. JDE, SAP) to drive inventory accuracy, streamline workflows and improve distribution centre performance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum 3 years of leadership experience in distribution, warehouse, logistics, transportation or supply chain operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading employees, including coaching, scheduling, performance management and employee development.
• Experience with inventory management, warehouse operations and transportation coordination.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Excel and Word.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Valid driver’s licence (minimum class "B" CDL required) with service delivery experience and good driving record required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain any required DOT qualifications.

• Associate’s or bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Business or related field preferred.
• Experience managing a complex distribution centre or multi-product distribution operation.
• Experience supporting laboratory animal transportation, animal care operations, animal feed operations, etc.
• Working knowledge of DOT regulations and transportation compliance requirements.
• Experience managing inter-facility inventory transfers and national distribution networks.
• Forklift certification and warehouse equipment experience.
• Experience with warehouse management systems (WMS) and inventory control systems.
• Continuous improvement, Lean or…