Job Description:
Albert's Organics is the nation’s leading distributor of quality organically grown fresh produce and perishable items, (including meat, dairy, soy products, juices/beverages, and much more). We have an exciting opportunity for a Division Manager in Vernon, CA.
The Division Manager will provide strategic direction and execution of responsibilities focused on growing the business, implementing plans and strategies in line with Albert’s Organics’ culture and goals, as well as the improvement of internal business controls, daily operations, sales, procurement, inventory management and distribution center financials. This individual will be responsible for fostering and enhancing internal / external customer service and sales performance by achieving revenue and margin budgets.
Compensation/Salary:
DOE
Responsibilities & Duties:
- Responsible for the business plan, profitability and Albert’s culture within the DC.
- Drive division performance to ensure achievement of key performance metrics and customer service.
- Recruit, retain, motivate, coach and develop focused, goal-orientation management team members.
- Communicate job expectations, performance goals and company standards to ensure customer service standards are achieved.
- Develop, implement and meet financial budgetary guidelines including sales, margin, OPEX and net profits.
- Direct ownership of DC sales, profitability and relationships through division sales team management.
- Responsible for division procurement and inventory management including; turn, promotional, local and customer specific product lines.
- Provide leadership for the development of strategic initiatives to support local grower programs. Maximize program opportunity through the development of local grower relationships.
- Provide accurate, timely financial guidance for forecasting to senior leadership.
- Implement and drive national programs to drive company initiatives and performance.
- Observe all safety policies and procedures. Embrace a high regard for safety, leading and serving as a role model for others.
- Follow all established food safety guidelines in accordance with risk management and governmental rules and regulations.
- Responsible for maintaining facility and grounds to company standards and guidelines.
- Perform all duties and responsibilities in a highly ethical manner and in accordance with Company policies and procedures; embody these behaviors in a leadership role, serving as a role model for others.
- Perform other duties and projects as assigned by management.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Business or Food Sciences-related specialty or equivalent training and experience.
Skills:
- Hands-on, energetic and motivated self-starter with strong sense of urgency; able to work and excel in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment.
- Ability to think strategically, understand industry trends and dynamics, and visualize and develop long term plans for DC.
- Excellent understanding of issues relevant to the organization and business; able to keep updated and effectively utilize cross-functional knowledge. Able to make decisions that enhance the Company’s financial position.
- Able to establish realistic budgets, utilizing financial and quantitative information to effectively manage the DC.
- Demonstrated ability to meet or exceed sales budgets and develop executive sales strategies and account planning to meet or exceed sales goals.
- Able to systematically gather relevant information, considering broad ranges of issues/factors. Ability to grasp complexities and perceive relationships among problems/issues.
- Able to recognize high pay-off strategies and prioritize team efforts. Considers a broad range of internal/external factors when solving problems and making decisions; adjusts actions to focus on critical strategic issues (i.e. customers, quality, competition, etc.).
- Able to develop short/long term plans that are appropriately comprehensive, realistic and effective in meeting Company goals; able to integrate planning across units.
- Capable of fostering the development of a common vision, providing clear direction and priorities, while clarifying roles and responsibilities.
- Able to effectively assign responsibilities, delegating and empowering others to do assignments. Capable of removing, allowing for and contributing necessary resources. Able to coordinate work efforts when necessary.
- Capable of leading courageously: willing and able to address difficult issues; puts self on the line to deal with important problems; stands firm when necessary.
- Strong coaching and development skills. Able to accurately assess employee strengths and development needs; capable of providing timely, specific feedback and helpful coaching; able to provide challenging assignments and opportunities for development.
- Excellent listening and comprehension skills. Demonstrates attention to and conveys understanding of comments and questions from others; listens well in a group.
- Strong sense of urgency while remaining calm under pressure; able to drive for closure; persistent in the face of obstacles and opposition.
- Demonstrated principled leadership and sound business ethics; shows consistency among principles, values and behavior. Able to build trust through own authenticity and commitment to follow-through.
- Able to develop and maintain effective, positive internal/external working relationships with a diverse group of individuals throughout the organization and exemplify these qualities in a leadership role.
- Excellent presentation and written/verbal communication skills.
- Strong customer service orientation; able to creatively, skillfully and effectively handle customer issues.
- Strong initiative and problem-solving skills; ability to resolve issues skillfully, appropriately, and in a timely manner.
- Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills with ability excel in an open, dynamic, collaborative and fast-paced environment, manage multiple projects simultaneously; able to effectively prioritize and plan work activities for self and others.
- Competent computer skills, including MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook; ability to learn and adapt to new computer applications, system upgrades and other technology as necessary.
Qualifications:
- 10+ years demonstrated management and leadership experience in a high-volume, multi-site produce/distribution/retail/wholesale/food industry environment.
- Knowledge of perishable food distribution preferred.
- Organics experience / knowledge a plus.
- Competent with computer systems and applications, including MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint).
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills a plus.
- Valid driver’s license required.
- Must be able to work a flexible schedule and travel as business needs require.
