Love Books?

If you love books and want to play an active role in the continued expansion of one of the book industry’s most important and fastest growing organizations, then you must be part of the Readerlink Distribution Service’s dynamic team. Readerlink sells 1 of every 3 trade print books sold in the United States to a blue chip customer base including the biggest names across multiple retail channels. In the past few years, Readerlink has become the #1 book distributor in the U.S. by doubling its annual sales to over $1 billion through the distribution of 300 million books per year to over 70,000 store locations nationwide. Readerlink ships via its extensive logistics network of 6 national distribution facilities totaling 50 acres of building capacity. Readerlink also publishes under the name Printers Row Publishing Group with four unique imprints: Canterbury Classics, Portable Press, Silver Dolphin Books, Thunder Bay Press and Dreamtivity. The diversity of these imprints allows PRPG to develop and expand on book industry trends in both the juvenile and adult book genres. Readerlink HQ is in Oak Brook, Illinois with its publishing HQ in San Diego CA.

Summary: This leader will be hands-on building and maintaining relationships with hourly associates, supervisors, and managers as well as other company teams. This individual will be someone who openly accepts dealing with ambiguity and change. They should enjoy getting into the details to help execute improvement strategies towards a future vision while espousing our company values of Respect, Empowerment, Accountability and Dedication.

People First

• First and foremost, drives safety and a positive culture as we transition to a new WMS and LMS system while adhering to our company vision, mission and values.
• Supports safety, training & housekeeping programs to ensure all areas are continuously free of debris.
• Must have a creative mindset that teaches and encourages innovation within the team. Accelerate continuous improvement and implement Lean and 5S initiatives. Lead by example.
• Drives employee engagement. Creates and maintains a well-trained, empowered staff that can be promoted through cross training, coaching and feedback.
• Mentors the management team and assists in growing expertise in operational areas with continuous improvement in mind.
• Works closely with supervisors and lead personnel to improve the quality and effectiveness of the overall operation.
• In coordination with the Safety/Training Manager, assists in the development of associates by ensuring they are educated in their tasks, given the proper tools to do their jobs and can contribute to the total operation.
• Performs evaluations of exempt associates.
• Works to maintain a high level of associate morale and recognition.

Operations

• Reviews daily departmental goals, accomplishments, and potential problems.
• Ensures all orders are processed in an efficient, accurate and timely manner, ensuring proper procedures and training are provided to hourly associates.
• Plan and monitor labor needs based on immediate and forecasted order and unit volumes and determining staffing needs for optimum department operations.
• Ensures operations capabilities are tailored to meet business needs with speed and quality.
• Assigns work and monitors productivity to ensure high standards of quality, accuracy, housekeeping, merchandise damage minimization and safety.
• Monitors standard procedures and implements new procedures when necessary to ensure that the overall operation runs in the most efficient manner.
• Manages financial budget in all areas of controllable expenses
• Ensures customer SLAs are adhered to at all times.
• Monitors staffing and actively participates in the hiring process.
• Maintains a working knowledge of the operation and complies with all company and union policies and procedures.
• Consults with distribution center management to ensure consistent use and enforcement of policies and procedures.
• Levels and partners with talent acquisition to ensure adequate staffing for present and future needs.

Essential Functions: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies to perform the essential functions of this position:

• Planning, organizing and controlling of returns and promotions department over-all operations.
• Plan out all warehouse resources and activities in relation to company objectives and sets targets.
• Make plans to develop staffs of warehouse by inter/on-job training.
• Follow up and control daily attendance.
• Maintain housekeeping of department and surround area.
• Implement cost reduction principle in all aspects of warehouse transactions and activities.
• Audit of daily labor.
• Promote constant motivation among staff to strive for an efficient and effective warehouse administration.
• Enhance subordinates’ well-being and capability through training and give opportunities for promotion.
• Always research to improve all warehouse operations according to company’s objectives.
• Communicating with other departments.
• Overseeing stock control and processing orders.
• Ensuring quality, delivery budget and environmental objects are met.
• Responding to and dealing with internal customer communication via e-mail, fax, and telephone.
• Planning future capacity requirements.
• Producing regular reports and statistics on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.
• Briefing team leaders on a daily basis.
• Maintaining standards of safety and security in the work environment.

Non-Essential Functions:

• Knowledge of warehousing and distribution practices.
• Working closely with the other department heads to assure proper staffing is always in place to handle the workload as needed.
• Familiarity with computer systems, warehouse system.
• Must be able to shift priorities easily.
• Recommends and assists in the implementation of goals and objectives.
• Other duties may be assigned, directed or requested.

Education and Qualifications:

• Creative with a knack for developing out of the box solutions to opportunities as they arise.
• At least 5 Years in a high-volume distribution or a warehousing center environment with roles of increasing responsibility. E-Commerce experience a plus.
• Background and focus on Lean Methodology, Continuous Improvement and operational excellence.
• A Bachelor’s Degree is a plus.
• Good leadership and team development skills.
• WMS experience of JDA, Red Prairie, Blue Yonder or similar operating systems is preferred.
• Experience managing a mix of non-exempt and exempt associates. Union experience is a plus.
• Attention to detail, good technical skills and a quick study.
• Able to flex and work various shifts when required.

Physical Requirements: The requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee:

• Manual dexterity required.
• Exposure to leg and feet fatigue due to 90% of management’s time in warehouse floor supervision.

Language Skills:

• Must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to speak with all levels of the organization
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals
• Be able to write and speak fluently in English, Spanish is preferable.

Reasoning Ability:

• Must possess solid judgment and strong decision-making skills to independently manage this fast-paced customer service driven operation.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• The work performed is in a warehouse environment
• The employee is frequently exposed to vibrations and dust and will be working around moving machinery
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate at low decibels
• Must be able to work in a fast paced, team environment

ReaderLink is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, or status of an individual with a disability. EEO/Minority/Female/Veteran/Disabled