Manager, Warehouse & Distribution

Description

Who We Are :

At Arterra Wines Canada, we love inspiring the big and small moments that happen when our products are shared and enjoyed. For us it’s not just about what’s in and on the bottle, it’s what happens in people’s lives when we’re a part of them that keeps us thirsting for more and not resting on our laurels as Canada’s largest and most enjoyed wine company. We put the consumer at the center of everything we do and we’re looking for people who do the same.

Job Summary :

The Distribution Centre Manager provides strategic and operational leadership for the Mississauga Distribution Centre and the Niagara Falls Plant Warehouse, ensuring the efficient receipt, storage, inventory management, and distribution of finished goods and packaging materials. This role is accountable for achieving excellence in service, safety, and cost efficiency while maintaining the highest levels of product quality, compliance, and customer satisfaction.

In addition to direct site oversight, the position holds full accountability for inventory accuracy and control across all external storage locations and 3rd-party logistics partners. The manager ensures that all physical and system movements are executed in alignment with regulatory, excise, and LCBO / CRA compliance standards.

Leading a high-performing team of supervisors, lead hands, coordinators, and warehouse associates across multiple facilities, the Distribution Centre Manager drives a culture of safety, engagement, and continuous improvement. This includes advancing people development, implementing best-in-class processes, and leveraging technology to optimize throughput, accuracy, and cost.

Key responsibilities include developing and executing operational strategies, managing facility budgets and performance metrics, maintaining equipment and infrastructure standards, and ensuring all customer shipments are delivered on time and in full (OTIF). The role also plays a critical part in supporting broader supply chain initiatives — including network optimization, automation, and sustainability goals — to enhance overall business performance.

Key Responsibilities :

Leading MDC and NFC Warehouse KPIs :

SAFETY :

Ensure a safe working environment by enforcing all Safety programs, policies, and training;

Ensure employees are complying to the Occupational Health and Safety act and Regulations;

Ensure equipment is in good working order;

QUALITY :

Ensure quality systems, programs and policies are being followed;

Ensure compliance to ISO, HACCP;

SERVICE :

Ensure on time and correct shipping of all orders;

Ensure orders are accurate, investigate order discrepancies and establish corrective actions;

COST :

Deliver cost savings and productivity targets;

Build a continuous improvement mindset to identify supply chain opportunities and CI projects;

Accountable for $30M in annual inventory;

Accountable 3 million cases of finished goods of inventory;

Budget management of over $6M;

Manage a yearly budget.

Internal Inventory Control & Systems Compliance :

Organize storage and distributions of goods to meet customer service levels; Ensure timely and accurate monthly and annual reporting for inventory;

Lead Inventory control, Cycle Counts (Daily, Monthly, Quarterly, Year End), Domestic, Imports, BU from Ontario, Open Order, Open PO, Monthly, Quarterly and Yearly cutover inventory reconciliations in compliance with corporate inventory policies and practices and / or external regulatory requirements;

Oversee and monitors receiving and storage processes relating to packaging components, to ensure efficient storage and materials handling;

Monitor, report and prepare appropriate documentation for obsolete items, IAR Reporting, items deemed no longer usable, and overall inventory values and quantities as required;

Warehouse space availability with production requirements;

Oversee maintenance of Warehouse Management System;

Responsible for inventory accuracy and life cycle management of Inventory at the MDC, NFC and third-party facilities;

Optimize work process and document through Standard Operating procedures ensuring ISO compliance

Building Strong Teams :

Lead and develop a team to drive engagement, accountability, and high performance.

Promote a positive, inclusive culture that values teamwork, transparency, and development.

Execute performance reviews, coaching, and training programs to strengthen skills and bench strength.

Maintain open communication with cross-functional teams to align goals and priorities.

Maintain good labour relations with union employees.

Manage and direct warehouse hourly employees

Continuous Improvements & Cost Optimization :

Lead key project implementations to improve warehouse operations.

Identify and execute initiatives to improve productivity and reduce waste. Partner with Supply Chain, IT, and Finance to implement automation, digital reporting, and analytics tools (e.g., Power BI dashboards).

Deliver annual cost savings targets through labour efficiency, space optimization, 3rd party warehouse savings.

Share best practices with other Arterra facilities.

Strategic & Financial Accountability :

Develop and manage the MDC and NFC Warehouse operating budgets, ensuring alignment with financial and operational objectives.

Support strategic initiatives such as network optimization, warehouse, and capacity planning.

Provide monthly performance reporting and variance analysis to Supply Chain leadership

Qualifications :

Post-Secondary Education

5+ years of progressive experience in warehouse, logistics, or distribution operations, with at least 2+ years in a leadership or management role.

Proven success leading warehouse operations handling finished goods and packaging materials

Experience working with 3PL warehouse providers

Strong proficiency with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and JDE. Solid understanding of inventory control principles, material flow, and order fulfillment processes.

Knowledge of health & safety regulations, transportation compliance, and quality standards (e.g., HACCP, CFIA, or similar).

Strong leadership presence with the ability to motivate, coach, and develop high-performing teams.

Excellent communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution skills.

Demonstrated ability to drive operational efficiency, cost savings, and service-level improvements.

Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving, decision-making, and organizational skills.

Results-oriented mindset with a focus on accountability, continuous improvement, and safety.

Excellent skills for Microsoft applications including Excel, and Access

• Strong organizational skills

Preferred :

Post-Secondary in related Discipline (Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering

Experience with Warehouse Management Systems an asset

Distribution Centre work experience an asset

Inventory Management experience an asset

Familiarity with LCBO, SAQ, and other provincial liquor board compliance Experience working freight carriers, and inter-warehouse transfers between manufacturing and distribution centre

Advanced Excel and reporting skills; experience with Power BI or similar analytics tools is an asset

What We Offer :

Hybrid work model, allowing employees to balance remote and in-office work.

Competitive Salary and Bonus.

Benefits and Pension Plan.

Product Allowances.

Training & Development Programs.

Tuition Reimbursement.

Commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility.

A chance to explore and learn more about the Wine industry.

COMPENSATION :  Budgeted Range – $101,355 - $131,165. The budgeted range takes into account several factors and qualifications that are considered in making compensation decisions including experience, education, training, licenses, certifications, and other business and organizational requirements. Base pay is only one component of the total rewards offering at Arterra.

The budgeted range will align with qualifications, including experience, education, training, licenses, certifications, and other business and organizational requirements.