Assistant Manager - Distribution

Scope of Position

To further develop the distribution product in the marketplace through focus on Operations, Finances, Sales, People, Systems, and Culture in adherence to the company’s policy and procedures.

People

• Identify, develop, and mentor your No. 2.
• Review and participate to staff appraisals timely, and at a minimum once per year per employee.
• Ensure all staff and positions have job descriptions, clear expectations and are working with structured development plans.
• Ensure and assist supervisors and key staff with goal setting and monitoring.
• Conduct regular interviews with potential new personnel.
• Plan for and hold effective monthly department meetings with team.
• Review department goals and business plan periodically with staff to ensure buy-in and accountability.
• Meet company standards of 52 hours training per year, including as needed management/leadership training.

Operations

• Manage, develop and improve the overall performance of Warehouse Operations and Customs Brokerage, ensuring continuous productivity, quality, efficiency and teamwork.
• In charge of Warehousing, Facilities, Material Handling Equipment, 5S, Materials and Inventory Management and Customs brokerage.
• Conduct work related and refresher training to Operations & Warehouse teams including Sub-Contract & Outsource manpower.

• Create and maintain an effective department organization chart, which is designed for flexibility and growth
• Prepare, execute, monitor and update at regular intervals the business plan for the department
• Monitor and improve key departmental productivity indicators.
• Instill and foster a climate of compliance at all times to regulations.  This includes internal policies and procedures such as Operational Process Standards (OPS) and external government regulations or customer policies/requirements.
• Map and understand department process flow, constantly looking for areas of improved efficiency to offer customers better cycle times and service as well as controlling costs.
• Ensure all customers standard operating procedures are documented and kept up to date in the Desk Level Standard Operating Procedures database.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors (airlines, trucking companies, and others)
• Work to be our vendors lowest cost customer through electronic booking, shipper built units, and other creative local market solutions to lower overall cost for both parties.
• Evaluate vendors at defined intervals per company policy, focusing on areas of possible improvement with corrective action plans where needed.
• Regularly read and review business and trade journals and attend industry events to further market and industry knowledge.

Customer

•  Actively develop business for department through active involvement in sales and retention process and close coordination with sales department.
• Ensure Customer reviews are completed with your regular customers.
• Pro-actively provide pricing alternatives, routing solutions and technical assistance to clients through internal sales both regional and global.
• Respond to requests for proposal, quotation or information timely and with market competitive pricing matching the scope of service required by the customer.
• Take an active role in the transition of new business/ updates to existing business.

Finance

• Assist Department Manager with preparation of annual department budget.
• Meet monthly with Department Manager to review department financial PnL and productivity results and goals.
• Review, understand and focus on improving department freight yields.
• Attend Accounts Receivable meetings and proactively work to maintain accounts payment within 30 days.
• Ensure company credit procedures are followed and utilized effectively.
• Manage accounts payable to vendors (airlines, truckers etc.)
• Manage intercompany accounting discrepancies via AJAX report.
• Ensure any contracts, vendor, customer or other, are reviewed in accordance to company contract policies prior to being signed.