Distribution Manager

Job Title: Distribution Manager
Location: Debert, Nova Scotia
TP - HSC - 10255

Meridia Recruitment is proud to partner with Halifax Seed in the search for a Distribution Manager to lead its Debert distribution operations and play a key role in supporting customers across Atlantic Canada and beyond.

Founded in 1866, Halifax Seed is Canada's oldest family-owned seed company. For 160 years, the organization has served home gardeners, market farmers, landscapers, greenhouse growers, retailers, and commercial customers with high-quality seeds, growing supplies, and horticultural products. Through its retail locations, commercial operations, and distribution network, Halifax Seed supports customers across every Canadian province and territory.

As Halifax Seed continues to invest in systems, operational excellence, and continuous improvement, they are seeking a hands-on, data-driven leader to oversee their Debert distribution centre. This is an opportunity to join a well-established and respected Atlantic Canadian organization where you'll play a direct role in driving fulfillment performance, supporting customer satisfaction, and helping ensure the products customers depend on arrive where they need to be, when they need them.

Role Description
Reporting to the Chief Procurement Officer, the Distribution Manager is responsible for leading fulfillment and distribution activities at Halifax Seed's Debert facility while supporting the broader distribution network.

Leading a small team of warehouse employees, you will oversee customer order fulfillment, warehouse operations, safety compliance, and facility-related activities while ensuring exceptional service across a diverse B2B distribution environment. Leveraging ERP systems, operational reporting, and performance metrics, you will translate data into actionable plans that drive efficiency, improve service levels, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

The successful candidate is a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced, seasonal environment and enjoys balancing operational planning with day-to-day execution.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Lead daily distribution and fulfillment operations to ensure timely and accurate order processing and shipment coordination.
• Oversee the execution of customer orders across multiple business segments while maintaining high service standards and operational efficiency.
• Monitor key performance indicators such as order volumes, lines shipped, backlog levels, fulfillment throughput, and service performance, leveraging operational data and reporting to identify issues, develop action plans, and drive continuous improvement.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and direction to warehouse employees while fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Prioritize workloads and allocate resources effectively to meet changing customer demands throughout seasonal fluctuations.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives across distribution, fulfillment, inventory, and warehouse processes.
• Maintain strong visibility on the warehouse floor and provide hands-on support when operational demands require it.
• Utilize ERP systems, reporting tools, and Excel to support operational planning, forecasting, and decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations, company policies, and best practices.
• Oversee facility-related activities including contractor coordination, maintenance planning, and building improvement projects.
• Identify operational risks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement before they impact business performance.
• Collaborate with internal teams to deliver an exceptional customer experience and ensure successful execution across multiple product segments.

Your Qualifications:
The ideal candidate is a proactive and analytical operations leader who combines strong business acumen with a hands-on leadership style. You are comfortable working with data, systems, and operational reporting while remaining highly engaged with your team and day-to-day warehouse activities.

Your qualifications will include:

• 5+ years of leadership experience within distribution, wholesale distribution, logistics, fulfillment, or a related operational environment.
• Experience leading and developing employees within a warehouse or distribution setting.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze operational data and translate findings into practical business solutions and operational plans.
• Strong ERP system experience and proficiency with reporting and performance measurement tools.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and strong overall systems aptitude.
• Experience managing fulfillment operations, workflow planning, and service-level performance.
• Strong knowledge of workplace safety practices and compliance requirements.
• Customer-focused mindset with a strong understanding of fulfillment performance and service delivery.
• Proven ability to prioritize competing demands and perform effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Valid driver's licence.

Assets include:

• Experience within wholesale distribution, supply chain, logistics, or multi-channel fulfillment environments.
• Experience managing seasonal operations with fluctuating demand volumes.
• Experience with inventory management, inventory control, or cycle-count programs.
• Exposure to facility management, contractor coordination, or building maintenance responsibilities.
• Experience with continuous improvement initiatives and process optimization.
• Knowledge of Syspro ERP or similar enterprise systems.
• Experience developing operational reporting, dashboards, or KPI-driven performance management processes.

Why Join Halifax Seed?
This is an excellent opportunity to join a respected Atlantic Canadian organization where you can make a direct impact on operational performance, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Halifax Seed offers:

• A collaborative culture
• Strong leadership support
• Comprehensive benefits
• RRSP matching
• The opportunity to help shape the future of a growing distribution operation.