Location: Marshfield, WI (onsite)
Job Type: Full-Time
Salary: Starting at $72,000+ annually, with starting pay dependent upon education, experience, and qualifications.
Benefits: Comprehensive benefits, company-matched 401(k), paid time off, competitive compensation, and much more!
About Us:
At Nelson-Jameson, we’ve been a trusted partner in the food manufacturing industry since 1947. We provide high-quality products and innovative solutions that help businesses maintain top standards in quality, safety, and compliance. As a family-owned company, we believe in accountability, teamwork, and growth—for our people and the business. We take pride in our close-knit, supportive culture where every team member has a voice and the chance to grow. If you're looking for a rewarding career with a team that works hard and stays optimistic, we’d love to have you join us!
Job Summary:
The VMI Program Operations Manager is responsible for leading the daily execution, long-term maintenance, and continuous improvement of active Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) programs within our Inventory Solutions Department. This role oversees field-based specialists and supports customer inventory programs that are critical to operational success. Working closely with customers and cross-functional teams, this position ensures program continuity, service excellence, and strong operational performance. Success in this role requires balancing customer needs, team leadership, and business objectives while driving consistency, accountability, and process improvement. This is an active, visible leadership role that combines strategic oversight with a willingness to step in and provide hands-on support when needed to maintain peak program performance.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and develop assigned team members by establishing clear expectations, monitoring performance, fostering accountability, and promoting a collaborative, customer-focused environment.
- Direct daily operations and staffing activities to ensure seamless route coverage, maintain uninterrupted service, and support the successful execution and long-term sustainability of active Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) programs.
- Provide hands-on operational support by assisting with program updates, coverage changes, installations, and other logistical needs as required to maintain peak program performance and minimize service disruptions.
- Coordinate and conduct program audits and quality reviews, both remotely and onsite, to ensure programs consistently meet company standards, maintain operational excellence, and represent the brand professionally.
- Analyze dashboards, operational reports, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify trends, evaluate account health, uncover efficiency opportunities, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
- Partner with customers and cross-functional teams to ensure timely execution of program activities and deliver meaningful, customer-focused operational insights.
- Serve as the primary escalation point for fulfillment issues, customer concerns, product availability gaps, program quality matters, and underperforming accounts, proactively resolving issues to support customer satisfaction and long-term program success.
- Apply business knowledge and sound judgment to balance customer objectives, operational execution, and company profitability while recommending process improvements and efficiency opportunities.
- Support program discovery, assessments, onboarding activities, physical installations, and facility setups while ensuring compliance with company policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.
- Travel as needed to support customer accounts, onsite audits, installations, team oversight, and other operational requirements.
Why Nelson-Jameson?
At Nelson-Jameson, we offer more than just a job; we provide an opportunity to grow and succeed within a family-owned company that values innovation, collaboration, and hard work. You’ll be part of a trusted industry leader, working alongside passionate professionals who are dedicated to making a difference.
As a golden rule company, we strive to maintain a culture of honesty, integrity, and kindness. Our organization is committed to operating ethically and respecting people, our community, and the environment. With us, you’ll become part of a hard-working team that takes pride in providing safe, high-quality food to communities around the world.
With Nelson-Jameson, you’ll receive:
- Comprehensive Health Benefits with your choice of benefits to match your unique needs
- 401(k) with company match
- Competitive Compensation: Starting at $72,000+ annually, with starting pay dependent upon education, experience, and qualifications.
- Annual discretionary bonus
- Paid time off at time of hire
- Annual allowance for company-branded clothing
- Annual Wellness Stipend & other wellness programs
- And much more (https://nelsonjameson.com/about-us/careers/?utm_source=vanity&utm_medium=redirect&utm_campaign=brand&utm_content=careers)!
Qualifications & Skills:
- Required:
- Education: Post-secondary education in Business, Marketing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience: 2+ years of supervisory or management experience in operations, distribution, inventory management, customer-facing program management, or a related environment.
- Demonstrated leadership, organization, prioritization, and people management skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively across customers and cross-functional teams.
- Analytical and detail-oriented mindset with the ability to interpret operational data and support process improvements.
- Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, adapt to changing priorities, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office applications, with the ability to learn inventory management systems, ERP platforms, CRM systems, and project management tools.
- Ability to travel up to 25% of the time to customer locations across the nation via air or vehicle; valid driver’s license and insurable driving record required. Ability to safely work in office, warehouse, and customer environments and meet the physical requirements of the position.
- Preferred:
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field.
- Experience: 5+ years of leadership experience, including supervisory, project management, operational leadership, or people management responsibilities.
- Experience leading multiple employee groups, field-based teams, or customer-facing operational programs.
- Experience in distribution, inventory management, manufacturing, industrial supply, or a related industry.
- Familiarity with Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI), customer-managed inventory programs, replenishment operations, or inventory solutions.
- Experience driving continuous improvement initiatives, KPI development, and operational reporting.
- Knowledge of industry products, programs, and operational processes.
How to Apply:
If you’re ready to drive your career forward with a company that values hard work, safety, and excellent customer service, apply now on our career site (https://recruiting.ultipro.com/NEL1005NJINC/JobBoard/8695e00b-4096-415c-abab-7d9854e20251/?q=&o=postedDateDesc)!
Nelson-Jameson, Inc. and NEXT Logistics, LLC. are Equal Opportunity Employers. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, including but not limited to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, and veteran status.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
