Manager, Regional Distribution Center

Service Market Logistics (SML) is an organization within Volvo Group Truck Operations (GTO). Our responsibilities are to design, manage, and optimize the supply chain of aftermarket parts for all Volvo Group brands. In North America we support Mack and Volvo Trucks, Volvo Construction Equipment, Volvo Penta, and several Volvo Bus brands.  The scope of SML includes transport of material to warehouses, inventory management, management of packaging, and dealer order fulfillment. We ensure that all logistics services are delivered with world class operational excellence utilizing LEAN tools.

Mission and Purpose of the Position

• The Regional Distribution Center (RDC) Manager will lead the Distribution Center in all its deliverables, steering activities and projects to drive performance to world class levels.
• The RDC Manager is the owner of the overall performance for safety, quality, cost, delivery, etc for the site.
• The RDC Manager will serve as the LEAN leader and driving force behind the Volvo Production System (VPS) implementation. 
• As a member of the NA RDC Management team, support continual improvement of the team by sharing knowledge and helping to improve overall NA results.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the distribution center ensuring all KPI are met or exceeded.  The goal is to accomplish this by putting people first, empowering the workforce and ensuring a high level of employee satisfaction and engagement.
• Implement the Volvo Production System (VPS) as the guiding principle for all RDC Activities.
• Identify, implement and train staff on lean warehousing principles, leveraging best practices from other Volvo sites and the global community.
• Support the VPS Key Elements principles and LEAN principles. Support Implementation of VPS Principles and Tools throughout the North American Distribution Center Network
• Create a strong problem solving culture engaging all employees to ensure they understand and are all-in.
• Lead improvement activities throughout the RDC, driving improvement as needed in all production areas.
• Plan and direct performance of the operation to meet safety, cost, quality, people and environment targets.
• Develop a strong team and collaborative culture thru thorough and regular communication ensuring daily team meetings, weekly management meetings, monthly town halls, etc.
• Ensure parts are available to customers on time and in the right quality.
• Engage in on-going performance management and career development dialogue with local team.
• Foster employee satisfaction through collaborative efforts, idea generation and employee engagement activities as measured by the Volvo Group Attitude Survey.
• Travel to and partner with other RDC’s throughout North America and around the world.
• Support other projects or assignments as directed by the NA Director.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings and workshops as required.
• Maintain compliance with company policy/procedures as required
• Promotes the Volvo Group values and culture
• Domestic and international travel is required.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Logistics / Supply Chain or other analytical degree; or equivalent experience, Master’s Degree preferred
• 5 years minimum in warehousing or logistics.  
• 3+ years demonstrated management/leadership preferably in an industrial industry and team building experience
• Experience working in cross-functional and multicultural teams
• Knowledge of the heavy equipment and automotive transportation industries preferred

Necessary Technical / Functional / Language Skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, with strong presentation skills
• Strong leader, proven ability to lead cross-functional and multicultural teams
• Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively within a multi-cultural and international environment.
• Self-motivated, ability to take initiative to improve processes and procedures
• Effective management skills, with ability to multi-task.  Demonstrated ability to work independently without direct supervision
• Solid analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proven skills in developing people; coaching and shaping a high-performing team
• Strong leadership skills using an inclusive style of coaching 
• Significant change management experience with the ability to set demanding targets; and then motivate teams and individuals to deliver outside their comfort zones
• Proficient in MS Office
   

Desired Competences

• Customer focused: Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; gets first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.
• Standing alone: Will stand up and be counted; doesn´t shrink personal responsibility; can be counted on when times are tough; willing to be the only champion for an idea or position; is comfortable working alone on a tough assignment.
• Peer relationship: Can quickly find common ground and solve problems for the good of all; can represent his/her own interests and yet be fair to other groups; can solve problems with peers with a minimum of noise; is seen as a team player and is cooperative; easily gains trust and support of peers; encourages collaboration; can be candid with peers.
• Perseverance: Pursues everything with energy, drive and a need to finish; seldom gives up before finishing; especially in the face of resistance or setbacks.
• Learning on the fly: Learns quickly when facing new problems; a relentless and versatile learner; open to change; analyzes both success and failures for clues to improvement; experiments and will try anything to find solutions; enjoys the challenge of unfamiliar tasks; quickly grasps the essence and the underlying structure of anything.
• Self-development: Is personally committed to and actively works to continuously improve him/herself; understands that different situations and levels may call for different approaches; works to develop strengths; works on compensating for weakness and limits.