Regional Operations Manager - Akron, Ohio

SUMMARY

The Regional Operations Manager for Yokohama TWS provides strategic and operational leadership for warehouse, distribution, assembly, transportation, and related service activities across multiple locations within the assigned region.

Located in the largest distribution center in Akron, Ohio, the Regional Operations Manager will assist with establishing consistent operating standards, develop site leadership, and ensure each facility achieves safety, quality, customer service, productivity, inventory, cost, and compliance objectives. Working closely with Supply Chain, Planning, Logistics, Finance, Human Resources, Customer Service, Sales, and other business partners, the Regional Operations Manager translates regional business priorities into executable site plans, removes operational barriers, and drives continuous improvement, scalability, and profitable growth.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership for warehouse, distribution, assembly, transportation, and related service operations across all assigned regional locations.
• Translate regional business objectives into site-level operating plans, performance targets, staffing strategies, and improvement priorities.
• Establish, communicate, and enforce consistent standard operating procedures, company policies, safety requirements, quality standards, and customer service expectations throughout the region.
• Lead and develop warehouse managers, supervisors, and other site leaders by setting clear expectations, providing coaching, and reinforcing accountability for results.
• Monitor regional key performance indicators, including safety, inventory accuracy, FIFO compliance, on-time shipment, order accuracy, productivity, labor utilization, cost, quality, downtime, and customer service.
• Analyze operational and financial data to identify trends, risks, capacity constraints, and improvement opportunities; develop corrective action plans and communicate progress to regional leadership.
• Develop and manage regional operating budgets, labor plans, capital requirements, and cost-reduction initiatives while maintaining safety, quality, and service commitments.
• Conduct regular site reviews to assess operating discipline, facility conditions, equipment utilization, staffing, training, compliance, and readiness to meet current and forecast demand.
• Drive continuous improvement using structured problem solving, Lean principles, root-cause analysis, performance management, and the standardization of regional best practices.
• With the assistance of the Warehouse Managers, oversee inventory controls, physical inventories, cycle counting, storage practices, and material flow to improve accuracy, reduce loss, and optimize space utilization.
• Ensure customer-specific shipping, labeling, packaging, quality, and delivery requirements are consistently implemented across all locations.
• Partner with Logistics and Transportation to improve carrier performance, freight cost, routing, dock scheduling, inbound flow, outbound service, and compliance with applicable transportation requirements.
• Oversee regional use, adoption, and data integrity of ERP, WMS, TMS, MRP, timekeeping, and other operating systems; coordinate training and system enhancements as needed.
• Lead regional operational projects, facility changes, equipment installations, process launches, and other business transitions to completion within approved scope, timing, and budget.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA requirements, environmental and security standards, labor practices, company policies, and other applicable federal, state, provincial, local, or customer requirements.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance, equipment reliability, facility upkeep, and capital planning with site leadership to minimize downtime and operational disruption.
• Assess workforce capacity and succession needs across the region; support recruiting, onboarding, retention, training, performance management, and leadership development.
• Resolve escalated operational, employee, vendor, and customer issues while maintaining timely communication with appropriate stakeholders.
• Prepare and present regional operating reviews, forecasts, business cases, and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by management.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Strong multi-site operational leadership, business judgment, decision-making, and organizational change capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, align geographically dispersed teams, and hold managers accountable for performance.
• Advanced analytical and financial skills, including KPI development, trend analysis, budgeting, forecasting, labor planning, and cost control.
• Working knowledge of warehouse, distribution, transportation, inventory, assembly, production, maintenance, and customer fulfillment processes.
• Knowledge of LTL, truckload, airfreight, ocean freight, and import/export processes.
• Strong understanding of OSHA requirements and other safety, environmental, quality, and operational compliance obligations applicable to warehouse and manufacturing environments.
• Experience with ERP, MRP, WMS, and TMS technologies, including system implementation, process adoption, data integrity, and user training.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and other business reporting or data visualization tools.
• Strong project management, root-cause analysis, continuous improvement, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands, respond effectively to changing business conditions, and make timely decisions in a fast-paced environment.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain, Logistics, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible experience may be considered.
• 7+ years of progressive operations leadership experience in warehousing, distribution, logistics, assembly, or manufacturing, including responsibility for multiple locations or a comparably complex regional operation.
• Demonstrated experience leading managers and supervisors, managing operating budgets, using performance metrics, and delivering measurable improvements in safety, service, quality, productivity, inventory, and cost.
• Experience implementing change, standardizing processes, and leading cross-functional projects across geographically dispersed teams is required.
• Lean, Six Sigma, APICS, PMP, or other relevant operations, supply chain, safety, or project management certification is preferred.

SUPERVISORY SKILLS

• Directly or indirectly supervise regional operations leaders, warehouse managers, supervisors, and hourly employees across assigned locations.
• Establish annual goals, performance measures, succession plans, and development priorities for the regional operations organization.
• Participate in recruiting, selection, onboarding, promotion, compensation, corrective action, and separation decisions in partnership with Human Resources and site leadership.
• Ensure site leaders maintain accurate timekeeping, attendance, leave administration, staffing coverage, training records, and performance documentation.
• Provide regular coaching and feedback, conduct performance reviews, recognize strong performance, and address performance or conduct concerns promptly and consistently.
• Build leadership capability and bench strength by identifying high-potential employees and supporting individual development and succession plans.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. 
• Ability to communicate clearly and accurately in English in writing or verbally to co-workers, supervisors, customers, and suppliers in person, email, or via telephone.
• Proficiency in an additional language, such as Spanish or French, is preferred but not required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods, including while working at a computer, attending meetings, or traveling.
• Ability to move throughout office, warehouse, distribution, and operational environments to observe activities, interact with employees, and oversee operations.
• Ability to frequently operate a computer and other standard office equipment.
• Ability to occasionally bend, reach, stoop, or position oneself as necessary when visiting or reviewing operational areas.
• Ability to occasionally ascend and descend stairs and navigate varying surfaces commonly found within warehouse or operational environments.
• Ability to travel regularly by automobile and/or air to support multiple facilities and business locations.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or move materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work in office, warehouse, and operational environments, which may involve periods of standing and walking.