Director of Operations - Wholesale

Company Description Poissonnerie La Mer has been serving Montreal since 1968, offering the largest variety of fresh fish and seafood in the region. Recognized for sourcing quality products from around the world, La Mer supplies both top chefs and the general public. With over 200 varieties of fresh seafood available, customers can rely on the expertise of experienced buyers and skilled fishmongers for exceptional service. Our commitment to freshness and quality positions us as a premier destination for seafood in Montreal. Role Description The Wholesale Operations Director serves as a pivotal, senior leadership role within the organization, bearing ultimate responsibility for the strategic oversight and efficient execution of all wholesale distribution and warehouse management activities. This director is instrumental in ensuring that the company's wholesale channel operates at peak performance, maintaining profitability, optimizing logistics, and delivering exceptional service to business-to-business clients. The scope of this position encompasses the entire lifecycle of wholesale inventory, from receiving and storage to order fulfillment and distribution, making it a critical link between the company's products and its market partners. Here is a comprehensive and detailed breakdown of the multifaceted responsibilities, strategic objectives, and operational tasks associated with the Wholesale Operations Director role: Key Responsibilities: - Oversee wholesale operations, including order fulfillment, inventory management, receiving, and shipping. - Act as a supervisor for the Warehouse Assistant, Transformation Supervisor, and Dispatcher. - Report to the General Manager and the Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) and provide support in their functions. - Coordinate and collaborate with other departments to ensure smooth operations of retail sales, online sales, wholesale, and production. Tasks: - Control arrivals of fresh, frozen, dry, and packaging products according to reception procedures, including recording relevant information. - Supervise and manage the maintenance of various storage areas, including cleaning, labeling, and proper storage conditions. - Communicate the needs for fresh, dry, and frozen products to the buyer. - Requisition materials and supplies required to maintain stocks, supervise, and manage the storage of these materials and supplies. - Supervise and direct the rotation of products with vendors, preparers, and cutters. - Manage order preparation needs for the wholesaler, online sales, and retail sites, overseeing and prioritizing tasks. - Supervise and direct fresh and frozen production, prioritizing production order based on needs. - Supervise the dispatcher regarding driver routes. - Ensure communications between dispatcher, drivers and customers to resolve logistical issues. - Ensure that products needed for future orders (wholesaler and online) are reserved. - Verify and correct the accuracy and availability of products online based on expected arrivals and inventory. - Inform the sales manager about any missing products for orders. - Receive and verify customer returns and authorize credits if necessary. - Supervise and direct daily, weekly, and monthly inventory execution. - Ensure that inventory adjustments are accurately entered into the system. - Verify the results of weekly reports on waste, transformation, and production, and report to the CRO and Purchasing Director on transformation, losses, and missing inventory results. - Verify the organization of documents in the wholesaler's office, such as purchase orders, invoices, credits, etc. - Conduct inspections and necessary documentation for the CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) program. - Ensure the cleanliness and safety of products, premises, equipment, and trucks, including recording relevant information. - Ensure maintenance of premises, equipment, and trucks, and communicate the need for repairs or maintenance. - Ensure compliance with hygiene and sanitation standards set by MAPAQ (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Quebec), occupational health and safety regulations, and establishment regulations by employees and visitors. - Recruit and train warehouse employees as needed. - Train assistants and delegate tasks whenever possible. - Plan the weekly schedule of the department based on needs and traffic. - Verify hours recorded in the timekeeping system (info punch) and indicate if delays and absences are justified. - Ensure that employees adhere to the schedule, coordinate breaks and meals (for drivers, check with the dispatcher). - Authorize absences, overtime, and departures. - Take disciplinary actions towards employees in the department who do not comply with instructions and regulations or do not meet performance expectations. - Participate in evaluations of employees in the department. - Be responsible for personnel planning, including finding replacements when a staff member is unavailable. - Collaborate with all departments and the CRO to ensure the success of retail sales, online sales, wholesale, and production operations. Qualifications - Stock Control and Inventory Control skills for tracking and maintaining accurate inventory levels - Proficiency in Operations Management for optimizing warehouse functions and processes - Experience with Sales and Logistics - Strong Inventory Management skills to ensure availability of products and minimize waste - Excellent communication and leadership abilities to manage and motivate team members - Attention to detail and problem-solving skills - Experience in wholesale or food distribution is a plus - Working knowledge of workplace safety and health regulations