Operations Manager, Australia & New Zealand

Graco manufactures and markets premium equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray a wide variety of fluid and powder materials. What does that mean? Well, we pump peanut butter into your jar, and the oil in your car. We glue the soles of your shoes, the glass in your windows and the screen on your phone. We spray the finish on your vehicle, coatings on your pills, the paint on your house and texture on your walls. Graco is part of your daily life.

Position Overview:

The Manager, Operations leads the development and implementation of the integrated operations plan for the respective country or region, working in close partnership with the Commercial teams and Global Operations. This position is responsible for the day-to-day management of the logistics, customer service and planning teams. It also is responsible for serving as the local Graco representative with external groups, such as government ministries, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws.   

What You Will Do at Graco:

• Sales & Operations Planning & Materials Management
• Work with manufacturing and commercial teams on new product introductions and phase-outs to ensure smooth transitions
• Collaborate with country commercial teams and the corporate Materials Management team on inventory-category definitions, stock / non-stock policies, demand forecasting and KPIs
• Monitor forecast accuracy monthly and align with Product Division Marketing on sales promotions, seasonality and new-product launches
• Achieve optimal service levels by ensuring product availability while balancing inventory turn goals   
• Identify and monitor potential inventory issues and levels; recommend promotions, returns or scrap to Division Product Marketing

• Inventory Management & Customer Fulfillment:
• Manage branch inventory, including which items to stock and at what level, in line with established policy
• Configure and maintain planning parameters in Oracle, GAINS and MEO; manage planning analysis & reports
• Regularly advise distributors on stocked / non-stocked parts and back-order handling procedures
• Ensure all Graco product imports / exports comply with applicable regulations
• Qualify external vendors and ensure the quality and inventory of locally manufactured parts
• Expedite and accurately process customer orders, selecting the optimum shipping point and fulfillment method (back orders, trans-ship, modification, substitution, etc.) 
• Configure and maintain planning parameters in Oracle, GAINS and MEO; manage planning forecasting, analysis & reporting
• Develop and maintain core processes for customer fulfillment

• Warehouse & 3PL Management
• Manage third-party logistics providers (3PL) to deliver safe, highly efficient and cost-effective logistics services
• Serve as liaison among Warehouse employees, sales personnel, distributors and head-office staff on sales and order information
• Assist in developing credit items for distributors and end-users
• Develop, distribute and analyse weekly service-level reports against targets
• Review cost-of-quality, including warehouse factors (mis-shipments, shipping damage, etc.) and warranty issues; work with corporate and regional resources to address root causes and reduce CoQ

• Region/Country Leadership
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of, and compliance with, all published operating policies and procedures (corporate, personnel, branch accounting and external agencies such as country labour rules and tax laws)
• Ensure conformity with all government regulations applicable to branch operations
• Secure government approvals for various activities in coordination with the legal office
• Maintain all facility contracts
• Coordinate asset purchases with consulting companies
• Handle communications with relevant government ministries

• Team Leadership & Financial Management

• Lead, mentor, manage, and staff an Operations team, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and promoting a culture of excellence
• Drive team performance by setting clear goals, providing ongoing feedback, and facilitating professional growth opportunities
• Establish, manage, and be accountable for the annual regional Operations budget, ensuring effective allocation of resources and alignment with organizational strategic objectives

What You Will Bring to Graco:

• Bachelor's degree
• 7+ years of supply-chain or logistics experience, including 3+ years focused on export / import or international shipping and 3+ years of demand-and-supply planning / forecasting and inventory-management experience. 2+ years of leadership experience is preferred
• Demonstrated understanding of logistics, import / export and warehousing processes
• Proficiency in ERP systems
• Strong structuring and analytical skills to track multiple projects and vendors
• Customer-oriented, motivated, patient and able to work under pressure

Accelerators:

• Certification in customs declaration, commodity inspection or freight forwarding
• Experience with Oracle, GAINS and MEO
• Advanced MS Office skills; knowledge of SAP and WMS
• PMP certification

At Graco, you truly make a difference. Your unique talents contribute to our organizational growth and future. Not only do you make a difference, but Graco’s culture empowers employees to create their own career path. Whether you choose to advance within your current department or explore new opportunities in different divisions, you have the ability to build your future. Our managers are here to provide support and guidance as you continue to grow within your career.

Graco has excellent opportunities available to individuals who want to be part of a fast-moving, growing company that is committed to quality, innovation and solving fluid handling problems for our customers. Graco is proud to be named a Best Place to Work by Fortune Magazine in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021 & 2022. Graco offers attractive compensation, benefits and career development opportunities. Graco’s comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, stock purchase plan, 401(k), tuition reimbursement and more.

Our company uses E-Verify to confirm the employment and eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.