Director of Operations

At Johnson Brothers, we’re a leading wine, spirits, and beer distributor with a proud tradition of service, innovation, and teamwork. The Director of Operations is responsible for the overall leadership, performance, and strategic direction of branch operations, including warehouse operations, delivery operations, customer service administration, inventory management, safety, compliance, and facility operations. Through the leadership and development of operational managers, this position ensures operational excellence, financial performance, regulatory compliance, and exceptional customer service.

The Director of Operations partners closely with the General Manager and corporate leadership to support business growth, develop operational strategies, allocate resources effectively, and ensure the branch has the capacity, infrastructure, and talent necessary to meet current and future business demands. This position is accountable for achieving operational objectives while fostering a culture of safety, accountability, continuous improvement, and employee development.

Job Description:

Operational Leadership

• Provide leadership and oversight for warehouse, delivery, customer service, inventory, and facility operations through direct management of operational leaders.

• Establish operational goals, performance expectations, and accountability measures aligned with company objectives.

• Monitor operational performance and drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, service levels, productivity, and overall operational effectiveness.

• Identify operational risks, resource constraints, and improvement opportunities and implement appropriate action plans.

• Ensure operational processes and resources remain scalable to support current and future business needs.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Recruit, develop, coach, and retain high-performing operational leaders and employees.

• Establish clear performance expectations and hold managers accountable for results, employee development, safety, and service standards.

• Conduct performance evaluations, succession planning, employee development discussions, and corrective action processes as needed.

• Foster a culture of accountability, communication, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

• Support organizational change initiatives and promote employee engagement and professional growth.

Financial & Resource Management

• Manage operational expenses, labor costs, and departmental spending in accordance with approved budgets and financial objectives.

• Analyze financial and operational data to identify trends, opportunities, and areas requiring corrective action.

• Participate in budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning initiatives.

• Monitor workforce productivity, staffing effectiveness, and resource allocation to ensure efficient operations.

• Identify opportunities to improve profitability through operational efficiencies and cost management.

Capacity Planning & Growth Support

• Evaluate labor, facility, equipment, and operational capacity requirements to support current and future business demands.

• Develop operational plans that align staffing, infrastructure, and resources with business growth objectives.

• Assess operational impacts of new suppliers, products, customers, and market expansion initiatives.

• Partner with Sales, Purchasing, and Corporate leadership to ensure operational readiness for growth opportunities.

• Lead planning efforts related to warehouse capacity, facility utilization, and long-term operational scalability.

Inventory & Service Performance

• Maintain accountability for inventory accuracy, inventory control processes, and operational performance metrics.

• Partner with operational leaders to ensure inventory, delivery, and customer service objectives are consistently achieved.

• Monitor key performance indicators and implement corrective actions when necessary.

• Support initiatives that improve service execution, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

• Serve as the senior operational leader responsible for facility safety and regulatory compliance.

• Chair the local safety committee and promote a culture where safety is a core operational value.

• Ensure compliance with OSHA, DOT, licensing, excise tax, and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

• Lead risk management efforts through audits, inspections, investigations, and corrective action planning.

• Ensure company assets, facilities, inventory, and equipment are properly protected and maintained.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Collaborate with Sales, Finance, Human Resources, Fleet, Logistics, Information Technology, Safety, and Corporate Operations teams.

• Serve as the primary operational liaison between branch operations and corporate leadership.

• Participate in strategic planning, operational reviews, and company-wide initiatives.

• Provide leadership during operational disruptions, emergencies, and crisis situations.

• Support organizational growth through effective communication, collaboration, and execution.

Key Performance Expectations

Performance in this role is measured through achievement of operational, financial, safety, inventory, customer service, and leadership objectives, including:

• Safety performance and regulatory compliance

• Inventory accuracy and inventory control effectiveness

• Customer service and delivery performance

• Labor management and budget performance

• Employee retention, engagement, and leadership development

• Operational efficiency and continuous improvement initiatives

• Capacity planning and readiness for business growth

• Cross-functional collaboration and execution of strategic objectives

Success in this position requires the ability to build and develop high-performing teams, achieve operational and financial objectives, maintain safe and compliant operations, effectively plan for growth, and consistently deliver exceptional service to customers and business partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Logistics, or a related field preferred.

• Five to ten years of progressive leadership experience in distribution, logistics, transportation, warehouse operations, beverage operations, or a related industry.

• Demonstrated success leading managers and multiple operational functions in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong knowledge of operational leadership, labor planning, budgeting, inventory management, transportation operations, capacity planning, and regulatory compliance.

• Experience analyzing operational and financial data to support decision-making and strategic planning.

• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

• Proficiency with ERP systems, inventory management systems, Microsoft Office applications, and operational reporting tools.

• Ability to balance strategic planning with operational execution and leadership development.

Johnson Brothers is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and equal treatment in employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender/gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, military status or any other basis in protected by applicable federal, state and local law.  Johnson Brothers makes employment decisions based solely on the basis of qualifications for the job.

Worker Sub-Type:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time