Director of Warehouse Systems and Operations

At Niagara, we’re looking for Team Members who want to be part of achieving our mission to provide our customers the highest quality most affordable bottled water.

Consider applying here, if you want to:   

• Work in an entrepreneurial and dynamic environment with a chance to make an impact.   
• Develop lasting relationships with great people.   
• Have the opportunity to build a satisfying career.

We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages for our Team Members.

The Director of Warehouse Systems and Operations is responsible for setting overarching goals for activities within all Niagara’s Warehouse & Yard activities.  This includes support, execution, strategy and deployment across processes, systems technology, Warehouse learning & operations, WMS & ERP systems training, new and existing systematic customer request implementation, factory business processes, factory inventory services and network wide centralization of shipping operations.  The primary mode for implementing these efforts is through services to support good decision-making and training programs.  Warehouse & Yard is a service and execution organization committed to supporting Manufacturing and Supply Chain related disciplines by being focused on knowledge transfer, innovation, and communication. The Director will also flex resources to focus plants or plants during time of need to support daily operations. Director will support Beverage and Water warehouse operations. Help build capability and bench strength within the operations.  Keeping teams calibrated and focused on the core pillar metrics of safety, quality, process time, inventory, asset management, fill factor, overall efficiency and scrap reduction.

Essential Functions

• Drive ongoing improvements for Key Performance Indicators in our Warehouse and Yard operations.  Including, but not limited to:  Inventory Health, Warehouse Space Utilization, Dock Door Optimization, Truck Total Processing Time, Trailer Turn rate, and similar.
• Inventory scorecard, scrap and audit ready support and oversight for the plants to ensure we are meeting all brand customer requirements. Making sure we have the right RM needed to align with production requirements. Manage FEFO in the plants to reduce scrap and expired product.
• Provide key operational services around:  Yard Optimization, Shipping Support, Brand Services, Factory & 1PL/3PL Inventory Services, Factory Analytics, and services required to improve factory performance inside the box for metrics identified by internal execution partners.
• Use outputs of services to provide skills and competency training for the factories around:  Inventory Training, Systems Training, Workflow Training, Warehouse Automation Training, Production Systems Training, specialized inventory systems training (parts, non-stock items, etc.), and develop curriculum to support those training needs.
• Provide direction to Plant Warehouse Managers, 1PL Managers, Warehouse Supervisors, Operation Specialist and related roles to maximize their consistent application of known Niagara best practices.  Create routine meetings, metrics and development paths designed to create cohesive alignment among the plant inventory team members.
• Collaborate with multiple development teams to oversee and manage routine technical development activities
• Provide voice of the customer for architectural decisions as well as technical design specifications
• Review system functional & operational needs for projects and identify feasibility cooperating with key stakeholders
• Evaluate existing business processes and recommend feasible changes & continuous improvement opportunities
• Present solutions to internal customers including Directors, Business Development Managers, Brand, Manufacturing Finance, and Regional VPs
• Support factory and HQ operations teams by identifying and implementing improvements to existing operations
• Direct the program management and improvement of Niagara’s centralized shipping operations
• Support the implementation and standardization of inventory policy
• Determine performance opportunities & oversee structured needs analysis to determine operational and system performance gaps and develop plans to close the gaps
• Direct all aspects of systems related technical learning development
• Pivot SME`s into Focus Plants as supplemental staffing, or any time a plant needs more expertise than is available locally
• Deploy tactical experts for relief during a throughput crisis to increase overall distribution and warehousing effectiveness
• Continually develop subject matter experts within the training team to address Niagara’s growing technical demands
• Design startup training programs that allow plant personnel to successfully operate all aspects of Niagara manufacturing and product technologies
• Deploy SME`s to provide emergency and relief staffing to focus plants or plants in distress
• Interact with Plant Directors to determine training needs and develop overall learning plans
• Collaborate with PDs and Regional VPs to best serve the plants during peak operations
• Provides field services to joint stakeholders within HQ, such as methods-compliance audits, within the expertise of the team of SMEs
• Enable the future by maximizing use of automation assets, e-systems, and other technologies
• Balance the work of trainers / SMEs to deliver instructor-led training, hands-on/OJT training,
• Leads the design and development of technical training content
• Ensures compliance with applicable rules, procedures, and policies, as required by both internal directives and external agencies
• Help facilities develop their own skills development programs and support them in implementing those programs
• Collaborates with colleagues within the Learning and Development function to ensure consistent application of Corporate Learning and development standards
• Oversee course materials and lesson plans, maintain document control, and authorize local SMEs to use materials.  Identify and leverage plant & department SMEs to support this
• Identify and add manufacturing systems, operation and business competencies as needed to make Niagara successful or as assigned by internal customers, peers or leadership
• Support deployment of all Niagara Learning initiatives, regardless of technical content

Provide innovative means of coaching and program development

Interface as required with the external partners, vendors, and various internal cross functional groups

• Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list 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 prior notice.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications:
  • 10+ Years  – Experience in operations or adult learning theory or similar manufacturing environment
  • 10+ Years  – Experience in Position
  • 10+ Years  – Experience managing people/projects

              *experience may include a combination of work experience and education

• Preferred Qualifications:
  • 10+ Years– Experience in Field or similar manufacturing environment
  • 10+ Years – Experience working in Position         
  • 10+ Years – Experience managing people/projects

*experience may include a combination of work experience and education

Competencies

This position embodies the values of Niagara’s LIFE competency model, focusing on the following key drivers of success:

• Lead Like an Owner
  • Makes safety the number one priority
  • Keeps alert for safety issues and escalates immediately
  • Effectively prioritizes tasks based on department goals
  • Shows respect to others and confronts interpersonal issues directly
  • Prioritizes resolution of customer issues effectively
  • Responds promptly and honors commitments to internal and external customers
• InnovACT
  • Makes recommendations to continuously improve policies, methods, procedures, and/or products
  • Demonstrates adaptability by reacting appropriately to unexpected changes in situations or circumstances
  • Increases performance through greater efficiency
• Find a Way
  • Seeks to develop technical knowledge through learning from other experts
  • Understands interdepartmental impact of individual decisions and actions
  • Seeks solutions rather than placing blame
• Empowered to be Great
  • Consistently looks for ways to improve one’s self through growth and development opportunities
  • Communicates clearly and promptly up, down, and across
  • Communicates effectively to manage expectations

Education

• Minimum Required: 
  • Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain,  Engineering or other technical discipline pertaining to manufacturing.

• Preferred: 
  • Master's Degree in business, education or related field

Certification/License:

• Required:           N/A
• Preferred:          ATD Certified

Foreign Language

• Required:           None Required
• Preferred:          Elementary Proficiency
  • Spanish

Typical Compensation Range

Benefits

https://careers.niagarawater.com/us/en/benefits

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