Distribution Center Manager

Overview

First Supply, a fifth-generation family-owned company, has served the Upper Midwest for over 125 years. Guided by our Employee Value Proposition, Where Tradition Meets Innovation, we foster a workplace where people learn, grow, and contribute to a company that values its heritage while embracing progress. Our teams take pride in supporting customers and communities, creating meaningful work and rewarding careers every day.

We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Distribution Center Manager to lead daily operations, develop a high-performing warehouse team, and ensure products are received, stored, and shipped safely, accurately, and on time. This role is responsible for driving performance across safety, quality, delivery, inventory accuracy, cost management, and continuous improvement while supporting a collaborative and accountable work environment. The ideal candidate will bring strong distribution leadership experience, sound business judgment, and the ability to coach, motivate, and guide teams through change. If you are process-focused, safety-minded, and energized by improving warehouse operations, we encourage you to apply.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for distribution center operations through direct oversight of the Inventory Manager, Inbound Manager, and Outbound Supervisors.
• Set operational priorities, align leaders around daily goals, and ensure inbound, inventory, and outbound functions are coordinated to meet service, quality, safety, and productivity expectations.
• Coach and develop direct reports by providing guidance, performance feedback, accountability, and support for effective team leadership within their respective areas.
• Partner with the Inventory Manager to maintain inventory accuracy, improve cycle count and reconciliation processes, and support effective stock control.
• Partner with the Inbound Manager to ensure timely and accurate receipt, put-away, storage, and flow of product into the distribution center.
• Provide direction to Outbound Supervisors to ensure orders are picked, packed, staged, shipped, and delivered accurately, safely, and on time.
• Monitor operational performance using key metrics such as safety, quality, labor efficiency, cost, inbound and outbound performance, backlog, inventory accuracy, and service levels.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts across all distribution functions by identifying process gaps, removing barriers, standardizing workflows, and implementing best practices.
• Support budget planning, labor management, vendor coordination, equipment maintenance, and compliance with company policies, OSHA, DOT, and safety requirements.
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• 6+ years’ previous management experience, preferably in a distribution center environment.
• Excellent leadership ability with a focus on customer service and teamwork.
• Strong computer skills with previous experience working with TMS and WMS.
• Strong problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Analytical with the ability to plan staffing levels to workflow.

About First Supply

First Supply® is a leading main channel wholesale distributor, providing industrial customers and building contractors with an extensive line of products and services. We offer a wide range of manufacturer product lines across the plumbing, heating, air conditioning, builder, waterworks, pump/well & septic, industrial, and municipal markets. Headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, First Supply has more than 700 employees across 29 operating facilities serving Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and Michigan.

First Supply also owns and operates 18 Kitchen & Bath Stores across five Midwestern states under the Gerhard's Kitchen, Bath & Lighting and KOHLER® Signature Store by First Supply brands. Gerhard's is the largest, most versatile kitchen and bath store in the Upper Midwest, offering a wide variety of styles—from contemporary to traditional—along with unmatched service. The KOHLER Signature Stores are immersive kitchen and bath showrooms that provide a distinguished experience where designers and homeowners can get hands-on with hundreds of exclusive KOHLER products.

With a 128-year legacy and a people-first culture, First Supply is committed to building a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow their careers. That commitment has earned national recognition, including a spot on USA Today’s 2024 Top Workplaces in the USA, as well as honors as a Woman-Led Top Workplace and an Industry Top Workplace for Distribution.

First Supply LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.