A 15+ year old, Southern California growth oriented consumer products distribution company (note: this is not a manufacturing environment) is seeking a hands-on Operations Manager who will bring innovative ideas and a passion for improving processes, leading people, establishing accountability and developing an organization to achieve operational excellence and growing profitability. This position will report directly to company Principals. The Operations Manager will assume full responsibility for the daily operations of the company. The duties will include, but are not limited to:

NOTE: This is not an Executive or Senior Level position and we are looking for a distribution background.

Operational Management Responsibilities:

• Manage all aspects of Customer Service, including setting goals and evaluating goal achievement, and developing, setting, and enforcing policies and procedures
• Oversee the management of the Warranty and Returns Dept., including the daily processing of general returns and warranty, setting policy and procedure
• Supervise, schedule and train staff to ensure efficient, effective, and profitable operation of all job functions.
• Assist with recruiting, developing, training, coaching, and managing the Customer Service and Warehouse teams, including annual evaluations.
• Provide input and make recommendations to Owners to make necessary improvements to achieve operational efficiency and sustainability
• Oversee maintenance of clean and organized warehouse and customer service area
• Consistently look for ways to cut costs while improving operations, profitability, and work environment
• Perform statistical analyses using data and calculations on various components and segments of the business and report to owners with results, ideas, and suggestions for improvement

Inventory Purchasing, Planning, and Management Responsibilities:

The Operations Manager will be responsible for maintaining an inventory mix and inventory level adequate to support the sales operation while also avoiding excess inventory levels

• Continuous inventory analysis, planning and forecasting using historical sales data and input from sales and marketing about promotions and trends, to maintain adequate inventory level and inventory mix
• Set up new products in the system
• Understand lead times and scheduled arrival times and communicate changes in the delivery to the Owners, Sales Reps, and Customer Service
• Manage freight companies: Ensure competitive freight rates, verify freight bills, select alternate freight forwarders as required
• Review daily sales and inventory reports and address issues immediately
• Evaluate inventory management reports regularly to ensure an accurate and efficient inventory mix and level
• Supervise the control of all inventory movements to minimize shrinkage, and to ensure the safeguarding of all company assets
• Oversee and review cycle counting of inventory to ensure it is being done on a regular and systematic basis
• Manage the analysis and return of overstock product
• Manage the return of defective products to vendors
• Follow up on returns to ensure the vendors are issuing credits in a timely manner and to resolve discrepancies