Operations Manager

Overview

First Supply, a fifth-generation family-owned company, has served the Upper Midwest for over 125 years. Guided by our Employee Value Proposition, Where Tradition Meets Innovation, we foster a workplace where people learn, grow, and contribute to a company that values its heritage while embracing progress. Our teams take pride in supporting customers and communities, creating meaningful work and rewarding careers every day.

We are seeking an Operations Manager to lead our team at our Distribution Center. The Operations Manager is responsible for managing day to day logistics, inventory, and personnel to ensure the timely and accurate receipt, storage, and shipment of products. Oversees all distribution center operations, including order processing, picking, packaging, shipping, and receiving. Is accountable for delivering performance in safety, quality, on time and accurate delivery, expense management, while coaching and developing talent of their team.  

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for distribution center operations through direct oversight of the Inventory Manager, Inbound Manager, and Outbound Supervisors.
• Set operational priorities, align managers and supervisors around daily goals, and ensure inbound, inventory, and outbound functions are coordinated to meet service, quality, safety, and productivity expectations.
• Communicate expectations and vision clearly while actively listening to understand team members' perspectives, feedback, and concerns.
• Coach and develop direct reports by providing guidance, performance feedback, accountability, and support for effective team leadership within their respective areas.
• Partner with the Inventory Manager to maintain inventory accuracy, improve cycle count and reconciliation processes, and support effective stock control.
• Partner with the Inbound Manager to ensure timely and accurate receipt, put-away, storage, and flow of product into the distribution center.
• Partner with Outbound Manager to ensure orders are picked, packed, staged, shipped, and delivered accurately, safely, and on time.
• Monitor operational performance using key metrics such as safety, quality, labor efficiency, cost, inbound and outbound performance, backlog, inventory accuracy, and service levels.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts across all distribution functions by identifying process gaps, removing barriers, standardizing workflows, and implementing best practices.
• Support budget planning, labor management, vendor coordination, equipment maintenance, and compliance with company policies, OSHA, DOT, and safety requirements.
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• BS in Business Administration, Operations Management, or relevant field preferred.
• 3-5 years leadership experience in operations, production, distribution or a related field required.
• Experience using a Warehouse Management System with Radio Frequency functionality required.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively and apply experience and knowledge to make sound business decisions.
• Must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office products.
• Proven track record with maintaining operational safety.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire direct and indirect reports in pursuit of a common goal.
• Must be able to embrace and manage change.
• Ability to prioritize tasks based on timeframe, need and scope.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Understand Lean concepts and experience with continuous improvement activities preferred.

About First Supply

First Supply® is a leading main channel wholesale distributor, providing industrial customers and building contractors with an extensive line of products and services. We offer a wide range of manufacturer product lines across the plumbing, heating, air conditioning, builder, waterworks, pump/well & septic, industrial, and municipal markets. Headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, First Supply has more than 700 employees across 29 operating facilities serving Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and Michigan.

First Supply also owns and operates 18 Kitchen & Bath Stores across five Midwestern states under the Gerhard's Kitchen, Bath & Lighting and KOHLER® Signature Store by First Supply brands. Gerhard's is the largest, most versatile kitchen and bath store in the Upper Midwest, offering a wide variety of styles—from contemporary to traditional—along with unmatched service. The KOHLER Signature Stores are immersive kitchen and bath showrooms that provide a distinguished experience where designers and homeowners can get hands-on with hundreds of exclusive KOHLER products.

With a 128-year legacy and a people-first culture, First Supply is committed to building a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow their careers. That commitment has earned national recognition, including a spot on USA Today’s 2024 Top Workplaces in the USA, as well as honors as a Woman-Led Top Workplace and an Industry Top Workplace for Distribution.

First Supply LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.