Vice President Operations

Crown Pacific Fine Foods is a family-owned specialty food and protein distribution company established in 1982. We are focused on delivering high-quality products and reliable service to customers in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The organization emphasizes strong relationships with suppliers and clients, aiming to provide consistent value and dependable distribution. Team members are encouraged to contribute to continuous improvement across operations, logistics, and customer experience. As the company grows, leadership roles have a direct impact on performance, efficiency, and long-term strategy. The Vice President Operations will join a collaborative environment where operational excellence and customer satisfaction are central priorities.QualificationsDemonstrated expertise in Operations Management, including oversight of logistics, inventory, and fulfillment processes.Proficiency in P&L Management, budgeting, and financial analysis to guide operational decisions and optimize margins.Strong background in Customer Service within a B2B or food distribution environment, with a focus on service levels and client satisfaction.Experience in Strategic Planning, including setting operational goals, aligning initiatives with business objectives, and driving long-term improvements.Proven Project Management skills for leading cross-functional initiatives, process improvements, and system implementations.Leadership experience managing multi-disciplinary teams, with the ability to coach, develop, and build a high-performance culture.Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities, with strong communication and collaboration skills.Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, Supply Chain, or a related field; advanced degree or industry certifications (e.g., APICS, PMP) are beneficial.Experience in food distribution, FMCG, or a related industry is preferred, along with familiarity with safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.1. Overall Operations ManagementOversee all day-to-day operational activities of the company.Establish operational goals, objectives, and performance standards.Ensure efficient coordination between warehouse, purchasing, transportation, sales, customer service, and administration.Develop and implement policies and procedures to improve operational efficiency.Identify operational weaknesses and implement corrective measures.Ensure the company has the personnel, equipment, facilities, and resources necessary to meet business demands.Maintain accountability among all department managers.Report operational performance and significant issues to the President/CEO.2. Warehouse and Distribution ManagementOversee all warehouse operations, including receiving, storage, picking, packing, loading, and shipping.Ensure inventory is properly organized and maintained.Establish procedures to improve warehouse productivity and labor efficiency.Monitor order accuracy, fulfillment rates, and shipping schedules.Ensure proper rotation of products using FIFO and FEFO principles.Minimize product damage, shrinkage, spoilage, and warehouse losses.Oversee warehouse staffing, scheduling, and productivity.Ensure warehouse equipment and material-handling systems are properly maintained.Establish warehouse performance standards and accountability.3. Transportation and Fleet ManagementOversee company transportation and delivery operations.Ensure timely and accurate customer deliveries.Manage fleet maintenance, fuel costs, insurance, and vehicle utilization.Monitor driver productivity and delivery performance.Establish efficient delivery routes and schedules.Ensure compliance with DOT regulations and applicable transportation requirements.Monitor transportation costs and identify opportunities for savings.Establish procedures for handling delivery discrepancies and customer complaints.4. Purchasing and Inventory ManagementOversee purchasing and inventory management functions.Work closely with purchasing managers to maintain appropriate inventory levels.Ensure adequate product availability while minimizing excess inventory.Monitor inventory turns, slow-moving products, and obsolete inventory.Establish procedures for managing product shortages and excess inventory.Coordinate purchasing forecasts with sales trends and customer demand.Monitor vendor performance, pricing, and service levels.Minimize inventory losses resulting from expiration, spoilage, and poor purchasing decisions.5. Food and operational Safety and Regulatory ComplianceEnsure compliance with all applicable food safety regulations.Oversee food safety programs, including HACCP and FSMA requirements, as applicable.Ensure proper temperature controls throughout receiving, storage, transportation, and delivery.Maintain appropriate sanitation and pest-control programs.Ensure employee food safety training and compliance.Oversee product recalls, traceability, and documentation procedures.Coordinate regulatory inspections and corrective actions.Maintain a culture of food safety and accountability throughout the organization. Oversee safety programs, regulatory compliance, and workplace safety initiatives.Ensure that the company meets all applicable federal, state, and local safety requirements, including OSHA regulations, warehouse safety, transportation safety, and employee safety training.·  Responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring, and enforcing safety policies and       procedures throughout all company operations, including warehousing, distribution,      transportation, and office operations.·  Take a proactive approach to identifying potential risks, preventing workplace accidents, conducting safety inspections, and ensuring accountability at every level of the organization.6. Financial and Cost ManagementWork closely with the President and Controller to manage operating expenses.Develop and monitor departmental operating budgets.Control warehouse labor, transportation, and distribution expenses.Monitor overtime, payroll efficiency, and staffing costs.Identify opportunities to reduce operating costs without compromising customer service.Review departmental financial performance and investigate unfavorable variances.Evaluate capital expenditure requests for equipment, vehicles, and warehouse improvements.Monitor operational costs as a percentage of sales.7. Personnel and Department ManagementDirectly supervise department managers and operational leadership.Establish clear responsibilities and performance expectations for each department.Conduct regular management meetings to review operational performance.Develop management accountability and succession planning.Participate in hiring, training, coaching, and performance evaluations.Address personnel issues and resolve departmental conflicts.Ensure adequate staffing levels and workforce productivity.Promote teamwork, communication, and a culture of accountability.8. Customer Service and Sales SupportEnsure operational departments support the company's sales objectives.Maintain high levels of order accuracy and on-time delivery.Work with sales management to address customer service issues.Resolve significant customer complaints and operational service failures.Ensure proper coordination between sales, purchasing, warehouse, and delivery departments.Identify operational improvements that enhance customer satisfaction and retention.9. Systems, Technology, and Process ImprovementsOversee the effective use of the company's ERP and warehouse management systems.Identify opportunities to automate and streamline operational processes.Improve inventory accuracy and warehouse reporting.Establish procedures for monitoring operational performance.Evaluate new technologies and equipment that improve productivity.Ensure operational procedures are documented and consistently followed.10. Strategic Planning and Business DevelopmentWork with the President/CEO to develop long-term operational strategies.Plan operational capacity to accommodate company growth.Evaluate warehouse space, equipment, staffing, and distribution requirements.Lead operational planning for facility expansions and relocations.Identify opportunities to improve profitability and operational efficiency.Participate in evaluating new business opportunities and customer growth initiatives.KPI factors that will be considered:Warehouse productivityCases picked per labor hourOrder accuracyPercentage of orders shipped accuratelyOn-time deliveryPercentage of deliveries on scheduleInventory accuracyPhysical vs. system inventoryInventory lossesSpoilage, shrinkage and write-offsLabor managementLabor cost as % of salesTransportationDelivery cost per case or stopCustomer serviceCustomer complaints and service failuresFood safetyOperational safetyInspection results and corrective actionsOperating expensesActual vs. budgetEmployee retentionTurnover and absenteeismCompensation and Benefits:We offer excellent benefits that include, Medical, Dental, Vision, Matching 401K and Paid Vacation and Holidays.Salary: $150,000 to $225,000 plus bonus