General Manager

Ernest is currently in search of a General Manager for our division located in Avondale, AZ. For more than 80 years, Ernest has built its success around relationships, service, and a people-first culture where employees are empowered to grow, lead, and make an impact. As the largest privately owned packaging company in the United States, we believe strong local leadership is essential to the success of our people, our clients, and our business.

The General Manager is the leader of the division, with full P&L ownership and responsibility for the overall performance of both sales and operations. We are looking for a well-rounded business leader who brings a strong combination of outside B2B sales experience and operational leadership and is equally comfortable driving business in the field as they are leading the day-to-day operation of the division.

This is a highly visible and hands-on leadership role. The General Manager works closely with our sales leadership and sales teams, stays actively engaged with clients, and drives the continued growth of the business, while also providing leadership and direction across the operational side of the division, including Customer Service, Merchandising/Purchasing, Warehouse, and Distribution. The ideal GM understands that sales and operations must work together to deliver an exceptional client experience and a successful, profitable division.

Reporting to the Regional Vice President and working closely with Ernest's executive leadership team, the General Manager is responsible for leading, developing, and motivating the division while creating an environment where employees can perform at a high level and Ernest's culture continues to thrive.

This is a full-time position offering a competitive base salary, bonus opportunity, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to lead within Ernest's one-of-a-kind company culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain an annual business plan that includes programs and strategies for improving the profitability and overall performance of the division.
• Maintain full P&L responsibility and maximize division profitability by implementing programs that optimize service, inventory management, and operational efficiency.
• Provide leadership, direction, and motivation across both the sales and operational sides of the division.
• Remain actively involved with sales leadership, sales representatives, and clients to support business growth, strengthen relationships, and help resolve business and product-related challenges.
• Review daily reports and work with sales management on account and salesperson analysis while directing the resolution of operational issues.
• Remain current on market conditions, product changes, price levels, terms, discounts, allowances, promotions, and supplier changes, adapting business strategy as conditions evolve.
• Develop, maintain, and enhance strong working relationships between Ernest and our suppliers.
• Work with vendor representatives and our purchasing team to maintain strong relationships and competitive pricing.
• Develop and implement cost-saving measures that support the profitability and efficiency of the division.
• Maintain responsibility for inventory control, including reviewing monthly inventory levels and ensuring inventory aligns with company month-supply expectations.
• Monitor inventory turnover and take appropriate action to support efficient inventory management.
• Review and negotiate freight costs.
• Ensure all delivery commitments are met with the greatest possible efficiency and at the lowest appropriate cost.
• Oversee the timely disposition of merchandise controls and return goods authorizations in partnership with the sales force and vendors.
• Work with sales management to ensure the timely resolution and disposition of customer product-related issues.
• Support company marketing activities by providing ideas, presenting concepts, contributing creatively, sharing information, and providing a support structure for agreed-upon plans.
• Ensure all company policies and procedures are followed and respond appropriately to management direction.
• Establish and maintain employee morale at a high level while fostering Ernest's people-first culture throughout the division.
• Maintain overall responsibility for the training, growth, motivation, development, and success of the division's staff.
• Participate in interviewing, hiring, assigning and directing work, employee discipline, addressing complaints, and resolving problems.
• Ensure employees are appropriately cross-trained to maintain continuity during vacations, sick leave, and other vacancies.
• Review employee performance and determine merit pay increases with the approval of the Regional Vice President.
• Commit the time necessary to effectively lead the division and achieve established business goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and five or more years of experience in a General Manager, Director-level, or comparable senior leadership position preferred. Advanced degree is a plus.
• Strong background combining outside B2B sales experience with operational leadership experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, develop, and achieve results through others.
• Proven ability to lead both the commercial and operational sides of a business while maintaining accountability for overall financial performance.
• Proven track record of building strong relationships across organizational boundaries, overcoming challenging cross-functional issues, and effectively leading and influencing others.
• Strong client-facing capabilities with the ability to work alongside sales leadership and sales representatives to support relationships and business growth.
• Capable of organizing and managing multiple priorities in a fast-moving business environment.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex business documents and information.
• Ability to write procedures using original or innovative techniques or styles.
• Ability to deliver effective and persuasive presentations on complex topics to senior and executive management.
• Working knowledge of spreadsheet software, order processing systems, project management software, and database software.

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