General Manager, New Albany Yard

Are you a leader who believes that the surest route to maintaining the highest quality in lumber manufacturing is discipline and predictability?  Are you steady, analytical, and deeply grounded in lumber operations, someone who sees how a yard should function and takes personal ownership of making it happen? Do you believe leadership is built on consistency, follow-through, and doing the right things the right way, every day? Are you ready to take full responsibility for a complex manufacturing operation and lead it into its next phase of growth? 

This role offers a rare opportunity to take the helm of Robinson Lumber Company’s flagship yard at a moment of major capital investment and strategic expansion. 

The Opportunity 

Robinson Lumber Company (RLC), now in its fifth generation of family ownership, has recently completed a $5 million investment in new kiln capacity at its New Albany, Indiana facility, with an additional $10 million in planned investments over the coming years. These investments are central to RLC’s strategy to expand value-added manufacturing and support future growth. 

The General Manager, New Albany Yard will have full accountability for the performance of the company’s flagship facility from safety and people to inventory, production flow, and financial results. Reporting directly to the VP of Manufacturing at RLC’s New Orleans headquarters, this role is designed for a seasoned lumber leader who is ready to move beyond functional management and assume true general management ownership. 

This is a long-term leadership role with authority, expectations, and capital behind it. 

Why This Role Matters 

The New Albany yard is central to RLC’s future. The General Manager’s decisions will directly influence: 

• Performance and ROI of new kiln and yard investments 
• Consistency and accuracy in inventory and shipping 
• Execution of value-added manufacturing strategy 
• Development of supervisors, managers, and future leaders 
• Readiness of the operation to absorb future acquisitions 

This role bridges strategy and execution, ensuring plans turn into reliable, repeatable results on the ground. 

What You’ll Be Responsible For 

• General Management & Operations 
• Full general management of the New Albany yard, including yard operations, kilns, grading, ripping, maintenance, and administration 
• Ownership of site-level P&L, budgeting, forecasting, and cost control 
• Establishing weekly schedules for shipments, grading, ripping, and kiln operations 
• Leading regular operational meetings 
• Assuming full decision-making authority for the site and acting as the senior leader on location 

People & Leadership 

• Direct responsibility for the day-to-day management of hourly labor and site leadership (20 total headcount) 
• Heavy involvement in hiring, training, development, discipline, and retention 
• Continuing a culture of safety, accountability, and consistency 
• Controlling labor costs, including overtime management 
• Setting clear expectations and holding teams accountable through calm, steady leadership 

Inventory, Purchasing & Planning 

• Involvement in purchasing green lumber 
• Maintaining disciplined inventory control through accurate costing, yard organization, and material flow 
• Ensuring correct material is received, staged, and shipped 
• Identifying inventory gaps quickly and addressing them proactively 
• Maintaining and updating stock lists and reporting tools on a regular cadence 
• Using LumberTrack, Salesforce, and other systems to track operational data 

Safety, Quality, & Continuous Improvement 

• Maintaining high safety standards across the yard and kiln operations 
• Driving continuous improvement in throughput, quality, recovery, and reliability 
• Ensuring procedures are followed consistently and improved thoughtfully 
• Leading capital project execution, including new kilns and future expansions 

Strategic Partnership 

• Collaborating with global sales, procurement, and senior leadership on production planning and inventory strategy 
• Supporting RLC’s broader strategy around value-added manufacturing and future acquisitions 
• Serving as a trusted operational partner to corporate leadership 

The Kind of Leader Who Succeeds Here 

This role is best suited for someone who is: 

• Experienced in hardwood lumber operations 
• Methodical, disciplined, and systematic 
• Comfortable owning details without losing sight of the bigger picture 
• Predictable, fair, and steady in leadership style 
• Data-driven and thoughtful in decision-making 
• Respected on the floor because they know the work and follow through 
• Motivated by building durable systems and teams, not chasing short-term wins 

Qualifications & Experience 

• Significant experience leading hardwood lumber manufacturing and yard operations 
• Strong working knowledge of kiln drying, grading, ripping, and lumber flow 
• Experience managing inventory, purchasing, and production scheduling 
• Experience with operational financial management 
• NHLA grading knowledge; certification preferred 
• Experience leading through growth, capital investment, or operational change 
• Clear, direct communicator comfortable working with senior leadership 

Location & Relocation 

This position requires full-time residence in the greater Louisville area and a daily on-site leadership presence at the New Albany yard. Robinson Lumber Company is willing to relocate the right candidate and will support relocation for someone who is the right long-term fit. 

Why Robinson Lumber Company 

• A 130 year-old, family-owned company looking to the future 
• Real capital investment tied to real operational leadership 
• A culture built on integrity, accountability, craftsmanship, and respect 
• A role with true ownership, influence, and longevity 

At the heart of Robinson Lumber Company's growth and success is our longstanding commitment to core values – the personality traits that we value most in our colleagues. 

• Passion for what we do 
• Generosity to help others 
• Honesty in everything 
• Courage to speak your mind 
• Independence to take smart risks 
• Excellence in our pursuits 
• Curiosity for new things  

If you are ready to take full responsibility for a flagship operation and lead it with discipline, consistency, and pride of ownership, we want to hear from you.