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Vice President of Operations

Job Description

Dexter is the premier manufacturer and supplier of axles, suspension, brakes, doors, venting products, trailer parts, accessories, and towing components serving the commercial trailer, RV, heavy-duty, marine, agriculture, and manufactured housing markets has an opportunity for a VP of Operations in our Distribution group.

Headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana, Dexter has manufacturing and distribution locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Employing state-of-the-art robotics, precision welding equipment, and automated machining processes, Dexter has achieved many years of success through a commitment to the principles of superior quality, continuous improvement, and unparalleled customer service.

This role will lead all operations for the North American distribution segment, which supports our mid-size OEM and aftermarket customers.  The distribution business completes our vertical integration of going from raw material to final mile delivery for all sizes of customers across all channels.  The scope of the role is 50 branches, 4 DCs and 1 kitting facility across the US and Canada.  The role has both operations, inventory and commercial responsibility.  Our intent is to grow this business both organically, through channel expansion and through inorganic means.  This role is based in Lisle, Il office and will travel regularly to interact with branches and customers.

For more information about our company, access Dexter's web site at www.dextergroup.com.

Specific Responsibilities:

The Vice President of Operations, North America is responsible for the day-to-day operations for Dexter distribution.  Responsible for building, growing, and leading a high performing and empowered team and is a champion of change and fostering innovation.  This position is accountable for ensuring safety, quality, efficiency, revenue, margin, growth and driving improvement in operational efficiency while also identifying innovative services and solutions to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations. Develops and maintains the overall strategy, priorities, and direction for distribution operations.

Job Responsibilities

• Creates a safety culture by setting direction to reduce or eliminate operations-related injuries or accidents by ensuring all safety programs are thoroughly implemented and consistently executed.
• Full responsibility for driving efficient and successful operations, achieving key performance metrics, expense management, compliance with all regulations, safety performance, and thorough execution of business initiatives down to the building level.  
• Role requires exceptional leadership abilities to drive cross functional collaboration, manage complex projects and lead organizational change initiatives.
• Oversee that all team members are provided adequate, ongoing training and resources needed to succeed.
• Identify, justify, and implement system and automation enhancements to optimize execution and customer experience.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships through learning and anticipating customer needs to exceed expectations.
• Drive new sales growth and ensure high levels of client retention through consistently exceptional quality in service delivery.
• Oversee and ensure operating budgets are met including labor and general expense management; evaluating and adjusting activities as required.
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in ERP systems, demand forecasting and performance metrics are essential.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 10 years progressive operations leadership experience with demonstrated expertise in inventory management, supply chain optimization and lean process improvement methodologies.
• Experience leading multi-site, branch-based wholesale distribution.
• Experience in leading and developing high-performing, cohesive teams in high-volume, automated and manual distribution center environments.
• Expertise in developing and managing productivity, using data-driven methods to understand and solve problems.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications, especially MS Excel, to analyze and articulate data and trends.
• Excellent communication skills and fluency in English (both written and verbal).
• Skills in strategy design and implementation, network optimization, workflow design, and P&L management.
• Experience in ERP integrations, Six Sigma, Kaizen or similar continuous improvement frameworks, combined with ability to translate strategic objectives into actionable operational plans is critical for success in this role.
• Strong business planning skills to complete strategic projects with implications for business areas with rapidly evolving business processes. Ability to balance strategic and tactical issues.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and resources remotely in a highly dispersed organization.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-tech distribution center environment.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 60-70% as needed.

What Differentiates the Successful candidate

•          Drives a speak-up culture; takes appropriate action with feedback received
•          Not afraid to make quick, informed decisions with 80% of the data
•          Able to concisely communicate a consistent direction, purpose, expectations, and changes
•          Understands trade offs and impacts across the supply chain and other functions and can work collaboratively to achieve the best outcome for Dexter
•          Manages through utilization of customer focused metrics first and completes the picture with “soft skills”
•          Drive for performance comes from within vs. one who waits for stretch goals from leadership, wants to take on more challenge than asked for.  Always believes there is a better way.
•          Ability to effectively evaluate talent capability and take appropriate action to continuously raise the standards for performance from the top down.  (i.e. exit low performers, establish and execute actionable plans to develop those capable of growing, maximize the impact, exposure and opportunities for top performing talent).

 

Dexter is driven by our core values committed to Safety, Quality and Integrity:

• Execute with Determination - Be curious, work together, break new ground, find solutions, fulfill our commitments, surpass expectations!
• Connect with People – Empower employees to grow, engage and collaborate; build lasting customer partnerships; care for our communities.
• Do the Right Thing – For our people, for our customers, and for the business. 

We care for our people.  Here are some of our great, comprehensive Benefits:

• Dexter offers a competitive wage
• Full benefits package including Health, Dental, Vision, Life, STD, LTD, FSA, HSA
• 3% profit sharing in our Safe Harbor program
• 401(k) Plan with company contributions
• Opportunities for internal career development and growth

Apply now to join an industry leader and make a difference in what we do for the customers we serve!

Equal Opportunity Employer

Offers of employment are contingent upon successfully passing a background check and drug screen. Dexter Axle Company is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for positions without discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, veteran status, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.