General Manager (Tempature Controlled Facility)

General Manager - Temperature Controlled Facility Joliet, ILThis Role Is About Leadership, Not Just OperationsA 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 NotThis General Manager is responsible for running the warehouse operation.You will not carry full P&L responsibility.Primary focus areas include:SafetyInventory accuracyLabor performanceTeam developmentExport executionOperational consistency Success is measured by operational discipline and execution, not financial modeling. The OperationApproximately 80 total employees7-day operation (1st, 2nd, and weekend shifts)~35 temporary/contract workers currentlyLong-term goal: 80% direct employees / ≤20% contingent laborImport and export flowsFloor-loaded container operations (labor-intensive)Boxing / re-boxing room (experience a plus)Proprietary labor management toolProprietary WMS platform This facility operates on measurable productivity standards and structured KPIs. Labor & KPI AccountabilityThe operation utilizes a proprietary labor management system that:Calculates required labor hours based on volume and activityTracks actual vs. expected hours by roleProvides real-time visibility for staffing adjustments General Managers present weekly performance updates to senior leadership covering: Safety metricsDamage/property incidentsLabor performanceInventory accuracy This role requires comfort operating in a data-driven environment where labor performance is actively measured and managed week-to-week. Leadership Profile NeededThe facility has experienced leadership transitions and now requires:A proven warehouse leader with demonstrated operational credibilityA visible, on-the-floor presence (not office-bound)Confidence to lead experienced managers and strong personalitiesAbility to unify supervisors during a reorganizationA leader who earns respect through competence and consistencyA people-focused mindset that understands workforce stability drives performance You must be comfortable walking the floor daily and leading by presence. Current ReorganizationThe incoming General Manager will:Evaluate and strengthen supervisor capabilityPartner closely with HR and regional leadershipEstablish clear expectations and accountability standardsBuild a cohesive leadership bench early Stabilizing and developing the leadership team is critical to long-term success. Key ResponsibilitiesWarehouse Operations LeadershipLead day-to-day warehouse operationsDrive measurable performance in safety, inventory accuracy, and laborMonitor throughput, container turns, and service flowAdjust 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 standardsCoordinate international inbound/outbound freightMaintain flow integrity for floor-loaded container activity Team Development & Workforce StabilityDevelop operations managers and supervisorsImprove permanent-to-contingent labor ratio over timeBuild workforce engagement and accountabilityReinforce culture through consistent leadership presence Cross-Functional LeadershipDirect reports include:Documentation teamTwo Operations ManagersOffice ManagerMaintenance ManagerHR (dotted-line relationship) Success will depend on building a tightly aligned leadership team. Required Experience7-10+ years of warehouse or cold storage leadership experienceStrong export experience (non-negotiable)5+ years in transportation, logistics, or supply chain operationsSupervisory management experienceDeep understanding of warehouse KPIs and throughput metricsExperience working with WMS platformsComfort operating within proprietary KPI systemsExperience in startup or high-growth environments preferred Bilingual capability is a plus but not required. Compensation & RelocationBase Salary: $145,000 - $165,000Annual Bonus: Up to $24,000Tied to Safety, Inventory Accuracy, and Labor PerformanceLocal candidates preferredRelocation assistance available (flat support structure) Bonus structure aligns leadership incentives with operational performance. Culture & EnvironmentThis organization operates with a startup-like environment:Hands-on leadershipNon-hierarchical structureData-driven decision makingFast-moving operationsLeaders who are present on the floorIf you prefer corporate distance and office-based management, this is not the right fit.