Operations Manager- Specialty Food Distribution

Cherry Capital Foods is a mission-based food distributor committed to successfully reimagining the food and beverage industry and bringing people better food.We work with farmers, growers, and producers throughout the state of Michigan and the Great Lakes Region to provide high-quality food to restaurants, specialty markets, and institutions.Job Title: Operations ManagerReports to: CEO - Tamarack HoldingsCompensation: Full-Time / Exempt / SalarySchedule: Monday- Friday Location: Traverse City, MI The Operations Manager helps oversee Fleet, Warehouse, and Purchasing teams, instrumental with the tactical and strategic flow of products along the Supply Chain, from vendors to customers. The position is responsible for helping to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the warehouse and transportation operation, product acquisition, as well as storage, and distribution. This hands-on leader and problem solver will be empowered to maintain, assess, create, and implement initiatives to promote operational sustainability/profitability across the organization.Duties/Responsibilities:Oversee Operations including Purchasing, Fleet, Warehouse, Quality and Food Safety.Drive change and innovations in line with target performance metrics and will help establish the strategic direction to achieve industry leading cost-effective transportation solutions.Develop and promote company distribution, transportation goals, objectives, and insures alignment with overall corporate goals and initiatives.Help identify and implement initiatives/process improvements to deliver savings, improve fulfillment, and drive customer satisfaction in the short and long term. Lead the Supply Chain functions while coaching, mentoring, and supporting a collaborative, high performance team, with the ability to adapt quickly to change and function.Build and maintain positive and trusting cross-functional relationships to identify opportunities to help build and sustain business operations. Help meet internal and external customer needs within the purchasing, warehousing, distribution functions.Maintains current knowledge of logistics and distribution technology developments and trends and recommends and implements improvements.Collaborate with Sales Director to ensure effective sourcing, procurement, and delivery of products to meet customer needs across all channels.Proactively coordinate and engage departments/individuals for immediate resolutions to operational challenges as well as suggest on-the-fly substitutions as they arise.Collaborate with Warehouse Manager and Food Safety Compliance Officer to ensure food safety Third Party audit compliance practices are being met.Ensure SOPs, policies and safety guidelines are followed throughout the Supply Chain Team. Develop and update policies as needed for employee safety, food safety and inventory / warehouse management.Willingness to jump in and support the Operations Team, as needed, when emergencies arise, or overflow support is needed.As needed, assist in other duties as assigned.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND POSITION REQUIREMENTSMinimum 3-5 years of leadership/management experience in Operations Management and/or Supply Chain Management including purchasing and distribution, preferably involving food distribution and logistics.Operations experience in the food industry preferred.Bachelor''s Degree required in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field.Experience in leading, developing, and managing performance of a team.Utilizes a high level of emotional IQ and able to work through workplace challenges with a sense of urgency. Demonstrated experience with continuous improvement, with a mindset for ongoing improvement, is preferred.Operational understanding of all government regulations relating to the Supply Chain functions (DOT, FSMA, FDA, MDARD, USDA, etc.).Demonstrated negotiation and influence skills.Must possess the acumen to build successful cross-functional relationships.Experience using ERP software to manage the Supply Chain; competency with reporting and analytics using ERP software. Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with Microsoft TEAMS.Ability to work independently without daily oversight.Ability to travel 10-20%.Enjoy these benefits and perks when you join our team!Medical Insurance as of day 1Flexible Paid Time Off accruals w/ no waiting period401K w/ employer match after 6 monthsDental/Vision/Life/Disability InsuranceFlex Health and Dependent Care AccountsPaid holidaysEmployee food discounts on 2,000+ itemsAnnual purchasing creditsCompany hosted social eventsPaid training and growth opportunity... and more!PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORK ENVIRONMENTThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bending or standing on a stool as necessary.This position requires the ability to occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.Work involves a variety of environments: office, warehouse, and outdoor weather. Exposure to a variety of temperatures in the warehouse, freezers, and coolers, and around building grounds is possible - personal protective equipment is provided. OTHER DUTIESPlease note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Created: 2025-11-15