Senior Logistics Manager

At Ernest, we believe when people move forward, everything moves forward. As a Senior Logistics Manager based in Los Angeles, you’ll play a critical role in keeping our operations running smoothly while leading teams with a people-first mindset. This isn’t just about freight, routes, and efficiencies, it’s about building strong relationships, empowering E-Teamers, and creating solutions that help our customers win. Since 1946, Ernest has grown by putting trust, care, and human connection at the center of everything we do. If you’re energized by leading others, solving complex challenges, and being part of a culture where your voice matters and your growth is supported, you’ll feel right at home here.

The Senior Logistics Manager oversees the daily operations and personnel of our largest distribution center located in the city of Commerce, serving as an extension of the local logistics manager’s role. This position provides leadership, direction, support, and oversight to the Client Logistics Manager, warehouse teams, and drivers, ensuring consistent operations in alignment with company policies, procedures, and standards. While maintaining the same core functional responsibilities as a local logistics manager, this role carries added accountability for coordination, operational consistency, and overall facility oversight.

1. EXPECTATIONS AND GOALS

1. Oversee and carry out the company’s mission statement across the flagship warehouse location.
2. Uphold company core values in all dealings with vendors, customers, sales teams, and internal departments.
3. Assume accountability for balancing customer delivery demands with company policies for cost containment.
4. Manage, support, and nurture the development, growth, and success of Warehouse Managers, warehouse personnel, and drivers across multiple locations.
5. Create, build, and maintain the highest level of respect and loyalty with employees throughout the LA distribution center through firm, fair, and consistent leadership.
6. Strive to exceed company goals for profit production while containing warehouse and delivery costs region-wide.
7. Monitor inventory performance, including turnover, merchandise controls, customer and vendor returns, and product quality.
8. Ensure all deliveries across the region are completed in a timely and cost-efficient manner.

1. VENDOR RELATIONS AND COMMITMENTS

1. Develop, maintain, and enhance strong working relationships between the company and suppliers across the region.
2. Establish, negotiate, and maintain relationships with key regional and national vendors, equipment suppliers, and freight carriers.
3. Evaluate marketplace conditions, vendor opportunities, shipping and receiving developments, and communicate findings to Division Operating Management.
4. Continually collaborate with sales departments to identify customer opportunities and concerns and work with management to resolve them.

III. MANAGEMENT DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Oversee, guide, and hold accountabilities for all receiving, delivery, and inventory functions.
2. Ensure all incoming and outgoing products meet or exceed company specifications and are handled and stored properly.
3. Ensure correct order pulling and timely customer delivery.
4. Coordinate and standardize the most efficient and cost-effective shipping methods using company trucks, common carriers, and parcel services (UPS, FedEx, etc.).
5. Establish and enforce uniform performance standards across all locations, including quality, safety, preventive maintenance, and productivity.
6. Review and guide labor planning, schedules, overtime, and staffing levels to maintain efficiency and profitability without sacrificing customer service.
7. Ensure timely disposition of merchandise controls and return goods authorization items in coordination with purchasing departments and vendors.
8. Interface with department managers and division leadership to achieve the highest level of customer satisfaction across the region.
9. Partner with sales management to resolve product, quality, and service issues impacting customers region-wide.
10. Work with purchasing departments to analyze quality issues, customer returns, and vendor returns.
11. Maintain oversight of inventory control, rotation, security procedures, cycle counts, and system accuracy to eliminate material variances.
12. Ensure compliance with company buyout inventory policies, including timely notification to purchasing and sales for slow-moving or non-shipping products.
13. Support and align warehouse operations with company marketing initiatives, providing ideas that support short- and long-term company plans.
14. Gather customer feedback and competitive insights through warehouse leadership and drivers across the region.
15. Promote continuous improvement in quality, cost reduction, and operational efficiency.
16. Recommend improved methods, systems, and procedures to enhance regional performance.
17. Review and approve labor time, expenses, and unbudgeted costs in accordance with company policy, escalating exceptions as required.
18. Oversee scrap reporting systems, recycling controls, and documentation.
19. Guide and approve hiring, training, performance management, and disciplinary actions for warehouse leadership and staff, in coordination with division management.
20. Ensure written performance evaluations are completed for warehouse leadership teams and support employee motivation and welfare.
21. Review low-profitability and problem orders with sales managers and division management.
22. Ensure regular safety, quality, and operational meetings are conducted, with findings documented and reviewed.
23. Maintain oversight of pallet pickup and exchange programs with customers and vendors.

1. REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

1. Reports directly to the division Director of Operations and works closely with the Regional VP.
2. Has direct accountability for the performance and results of warehouse and delivery departments through Logistics Managers.
3. Works collaboratively with all departments and divisions to achieve company goals, core values, and purpose.

1. MEASUREMENT
2. Profit performance and warehouse expenses relative to established goals.
3. Achievement of customer delivery schedules and reporting of late deliveries to Divisional Management.
4. Inventory accuracy, storage standards, and warehouse cleanliness.
5. Performance against annual regional expense and operational plans.