General Manager (Tempature Controlled Facility)

SC92-2752825 · Joliet, Illinois · Charlie Isgette

Job Description

General Manager – Temperature Controlled Facility Joliet, IL This Role Is About Leadership, Not Just Operations A rapidly growing, temperature-controlled logistics organization is seeking a proven and confident General Manager to lead its Joliet, IL facility. The site is now entering its next phase of leadership maturity. The operation is stable but requires a strong, visible leader who can unify the team, establish credibility quickly, and drive disciplined execution across safety, inventory accuracy, and labor performance. This is not a corporate, P&L-heavy role. This is a hands-on, floor-present operational leadership position. We are looking for someone who has successfully led a warehouse operation before, and understands how to walk into a facility, earn respect, and clearly establish leadership without leading by force. What This Role Is — And Is Not This General Manager is responsible for running the warehouse operation. You will not carry full P&L responsibility. Primary focus areas include: Safety Inventory accuracy Labor performance Team development Export execution Operational consistency Success is measured by operational discipline and execution, not financial modeling. The Operation Approximately 80 total employees 7-day operation (1st, 2nd, and weekend shifts) ~35 temporary/contract workers currently Long-term goal: 80% direct employees / ≤20% contingent labor Import and export flows Floor-loaded container operations (labor-intensive) Boxing / re-boxing room (experience a plus) Proprietary labor management tool Proprietary WMS platform This facility operates on measurable productivity standards and structured KPIs. Labor & KPI Accountability The operation utilizes a proprietary labor management system that: Calculates required labor hours based on volume and activity Tracks actual vs. expected hours by role Provides real-time visibility for staffing adjustments General Managers present weekly performance updates to senior leadership covering: Safety metrics Damage/property incidents Labor performance Inventory accuracy This role requires comfort operating in a data-driven environment where labor performance is actively measured and managed week-to-week. Leadership Profile Needed The facility has experienced leadership transitions and now requires: A proven warehouse leader with demonstrated operational credibility A visible, on-the-floor presence (not office-bound) Confidence to lead experienced managers and strong personalities Ability to unify supervisors during a reorganization A leader who earns respect through competence and consistency A people-focused mindset that understands workforce stability drives performance You must be comfortable walking the floor daily and leading by presence. Current Reorganization The incoming General Manager will: Evaluate and strengthen supervisor capability Partner closely with HR and regional leadership Establish clear expectations and accountability standards Build a cohesive leadership bench early Stabilizing and developing the leadership team is critical to long-term success. Key Responsibilities Warehouse Operations Leadership Lead day-to-day warehouse operations Drive measurable performance in safety, inventory accuracy, and labor Monitor throughput, container turns, and service flow Adjust staffing weekly based on KPI performance Import & Export Execution (Critical) Oversee export planning and execution (required experience) Ensure compliance with U.S. trade and documentation standards Coordinate international inbound/outbound freight Maintain flow integrity for floor-loaded container activity Team Development & Workforce Stability Develop operations managers and supervisors Improve permanent-to-contingent labor ratio over time Build workforce engagement and accountability Reinforce culture through consistent leadership presence Cross-Functional Leadership Direct reports include: Documentation team Two Operations Managers Office Manager Maintenance Manager HR (dotted-line relationship) Success will depend on building a tightly aligned leadership team. Required Experience 7–10+ years of warehouse or cold storage leadership experience Strong export experience (non-negotiable) 5+ years in transportation, logistics, or supply chain operations Supervisory management experience Deep understanding of warehouse KPIs and throughput metrics Experience working with WMS platforms Comfort operating within proprietary KPI systems Experience in startup or high-growth environments preferred Bilingual capability is a plus but not required. Compensation & Relocation Base Salary: $145,000 – $165,000 Annual Bonus: Up to $24,000 Tied to Safety, Inventory Accuracy, and Labor Performance Local candidates preferred Relocation assistance available (flat support structure) Bonus structure aligns leadership incentives with operational performance. Culture & Environment This organization operates with a startup-like environment: Hands-on leadership Non-hierarchical structure Data-driven decision making Fast-moving operations Leaders who are present on the floor If you prefer corporate distance and office-based management, this is not the right fit. If you want to build something durable, stabilize a team, and lead from the warehouse floor, this opportunity is designed for you!