Youngblood Automation, a distributor and representative of leading automation components and equipment, seeks a motivated and experienced Operations Manager to lead our team in Grand Rapids.

Founded in 1977, Youngblood Automation (www.YoungbloodAutomation.com) is a fast-growing leading Midwest Automation Company. We represent several manufacturers that are recognized as industry leaders throughout the industrial automation marketplace.

As the Operations Manager, you will be responsible for leading the day-to-day support for a team of Customer Service Representatives, Purchasing Agents, and Warehouse Personnel. The Operations Manager ensures effective, efficient, and customer-oriented support for all customers. The Operations Manager is entrusted with providing staff support and motivation in conjunction with developing and implementing short and long-term plans for the team and the department in alignment with company objectives and strategic plans.

Responsibilities

• Supervise day-to-day operations in the Customer Service, Purchasing and Warehouse Departments, with the goal of providing outstanding customer service to our customers.
• Coordinate technical, service, and selling skills training for team members.
• Develop and implement operational strategies to enhance productivity and optimize resource utilization that improves the customer experience and satisfaction.
• Manage timely delivery and receipt of products, including review of carrier adjustments and coordination of international shipments.
• Oversee inventory management, including forecasting, ordering, stock control and inventory adjustments.
• Maintain vendor compliance through reporting, inventory requirements, purchasing and RMA processes.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure customer compliance by administering customer portals and addressing customer specific requirements.
• Develop, mentor, and lead diverse personalities and talents to create a strong and well-functioning team.
• Work in team with accounting personnel to satisfy month end requirements through inventory reporting, review, analysis and adjustment.
• Manage and optimize ERP administration by maintaining customer pricing libraries, vendor item price updates, in addition to salesperson, customer, supplier and user maintenance.
• Administer WebQuery reporting by reviewing daily sales and shipment reports, daily outside sales bookings/sales reports, monthly POS reports and inventory reports.
• Prepare and deliver periodic performance appraisals intended to establish mutual goals, recognize employee accomplishments, and foster professional growth and development.
• Foster a positive working environment by providing leadership and technical perspective with special projects, pricing, material logistics and customer stocking agreements.
• Hire, train, develop and mentor new members of the team.
• Develop and enhance relationships with key vendors and customers.
• Gather and evaluate performance statistics, report findings, and develop and implement corrective action plans to improve areas of concern.

Background & Experience

• Associate or bachelor’s degree.
• Familiarity with fluid power, motion control and/or automation products a plus.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in operations and/or customer service management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and customer service software.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including presentation skills.
• Good understanding of management practices and techniques.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Customer driven with a positive, professional, customer first attitude.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Aptitude to learn about technical products and provide technical support to customers.
• Strong analytical, decision making and critical thinking skills.

Critical Competencies

• Teamwork: Building cooperation among individuals and departments, sharing information and resources, and working to achieve group goals and outcomes.
• Communication: Listening effectively, transmitting information accurately and understandably, and actively seeking feedback.
• Customer Focus: Understanding and meeting the needs of customers and addressing the interests and concerns of all organizational stakeholders.
• Professionalism: Dealing directly and forthrightly with people and problems, persisting to get the job done.

Join the Team

We are a growing and financially sound organization that provides interesting and challenging work to our team members, a family-like atmosphere, and value-added solutions to our customers.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to treating all applicants and associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity.

Details on our Product Lines and our 3 areas of Focus (Component Sales, Automation Equipment, Engineered Solutions) can be found on our website www.youngbloodautomation.com.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Commute:

• Grand Rapids, MI 49548 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Grand Rapids, MI 49548: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person