Job Locations US-MI-Grand Rapids

CDS District Manager

Company Overview

The Company is one of North America's leading sales and marketing agencies, providing outsourced sales, merchandising, category management, and marketing services to manufacturers, suppliers, and producers of consumer packaged goods. We serve a wide range of retail channels, including grocery, mass merchandise, club, convenience, drug, dollar, specialty, hardware, consumer electronics, and home improvement. We bridge the gap between manufacturers and retailers, helping consumers access the best products available in the marketplace.

Position Summary

The CDS District Manager is responsible for overseeing operations across multiple Costco warehouse locations within an assigned district. This role ensures excellence in sales performance, customer service, safety, staffing, and operational execution. The District Manager drives business growth, develops and coaches Event Managers, builds strong partnerships with Costco leadership, and ensures compliance with company policies and industry regulations.

What We Offer

• Full-Time Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life)
• 401(k) with company match
• Training and Career Development
• Generous Paid Time-Off

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Ensure all warehouse locations meet CDS standards for sales, customer service, safety, and operational excellence.
• Conduct regular site visits and operational audits to ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and standard operating practices.
• Hold Event Managers accountable for performance expectations while recognizing and rewarding achievements.
• Partner with the Safety team to maintain compliance with safety standards and foster a safety-first culture.
• Provide oversight and support for operational processes, including supplies, systems, and administrative needs.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with Costco General Managers and warehouse teams through regular in-person engagement.

Business Performance & Growth

• Drive adoption and execution of Operational Excellence strategies across the district.
• Utilize business data and insights to manage profitability, budgets, staffing, and performance metrics.
• Monitor location performance and provide coaching and development to Event Managers.
• Address operational challenges promptly and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Promote accountability and continuous improvement to achieve district goals and objectives.

Talent & Workforce Management

• Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing Event Managers.
• Support workforce planning and staffing strategies to ensure appropriate coverage across locations.
• Leverage Talent Acquisition resources and labor budgets to meet business needs.
• Build a culture of accountability, engagement, and high performance.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, employment practices, and applicable regulations.

Strategic Leadership

• Execute district initiatives aligned with organizational goals and business strategy.
• Maintain open and transparent communication with the Regional Director.
• Leverage company resources to improve operational effectiveness and business results.
• Participate in regional projects, stretch assignments, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Communicate strategic priorities and operational needs effectively while maintaining a business-focused mindset.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct Reports

• Hire, train, coach, develop, and retain Event Managers and other assigned team members.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing feedback and development opportunities.
• Utilize company tools, processes, and resources to support employee growth and performance.

Indirect Reports

• Provide guidance, direction, and mentorship to indirect reports as needed.
• Delegate responsibilities and support cross-functional collaboration to achieve business objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
• 5+ years of leadership experience within a consumer packaged goods (CPG), retail, sales, operations, or related environment.
• Experience managing multiple locations, teams, or business units preferred.
• Proven ability to drive operational performance and business results.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and team development capabilities.
• Ability to effectively delegate, motivate, and manage performance.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to build and maintain client and customer relationships.
• Analytical skills with the ability to gather data, interpret trends, and make informed business decisions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and web-based systems.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to travel regularly throughout the assigned district.
• NEHA Professional Food Handler Certification required.

Job Will Remain Open Until Filled

The Company is one of North America’s leading sales and marketing agencies specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management and marketing services to manufacturers, suppliers and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. The Company services a variety of trade channels including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics and home centers. We bridge the gap between manufacturers and retailers, providing consumers access to the best products available in the marketplace today.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure warehouse locations meet CDS standards for sales, customer service, safety, and operational efficiency by:

  • Conducting regular location visits and audits to ensure that locations adhere to operational SOP’s and company policies and procedures and hold Events Managers accountable for misses, recognize them for wins

  • Partner with the company safety department to ensure that locations adhere to standard safety procedures/policies and prioritize a safety-first culture

  • Implement and uphold company policies and procedures

    Provide oversight and administrative support for various operational activities such as supplies ordering, systems needs etc.

  • Develop relationships with Costco managers and team members through regular, in-person conversations

• Drive business growth by:
  • Ensuring adoption of Operational Excellence strategies, helping teams understand why it is important
  • Leverage data and insights to manage business (profitability, budgets, staffing, performance, etc.) in disciplined manner, in partnership with manager
  • Monitoring performance, coaching and performance managing event managers
  • Addressing operational issues, coaching, documenting and holding accountable
• Workforce Management:
  • Manage and continually upskill and develop a roster of high performing Event Managers
  • Support Event Managers with appropriate location staffing levels, navigate TA resources and budgets
  • Create a culture of accountability and high performance by ensuring teammates are held accountable for performance, policies, and procedures
  • Ensure compliance with Advantage policies and industry regulations
• Strategic Alignment:
  • Execute performance in line with organizational strategy goals
  • Support and communicate with full transparency to Regional Director
  • Leverage organizational resources
  • Participate as appropriate in stretch assignments and wider regional initiatives
  • Communicate strategic messages and operational needs as a mature leader with the interests of the business in mind

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Direct Reports: Hires, retains, trains, coaches, guides, directs, and develops direct reports using company-wide processes, tools and resources
• Indirect Reports: May delegate work of others and provide guidance, direction and mentoring to indirect reports

Minimum Qualifications

• Education Level: Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience
• 5+ Years of experience in a client-side, branded, consumer-packaged goods company; or a combination of supplier-side and client-side experience.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Excellent Written & Verbal Communication Skills
• Supervising Skills, to include Delegating Responsibility, Training, & Evaluating Performance
• Well Organized, Detail Oriented, & able to Handle Fast Paced Work Environment
• Track Record of Building & Maintaining Customer/Client Relationships
• Ability to Gather Data, Compile Information, & Prepare Reports
• Decision Making Skills
• Basic Computer Skills, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, Outlook, & web browsers
• NEHA Professional Food Handler Certification required

Environmental & Physical Requirements

Field / Administrative Requirements: Incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the job. Work may be performed in an office, field, retail store, or warehouse environment. Typically requires the ability to spend 66%+ hours each work day doing the following activities: engage in considerable physical activity, ability to lift and/or push up to 50 pounds, stand on feet for long periods of time, use products or cook food as appropriate for the demonstration, and may be required to work in extremely cold conditions (i.e. refrigerated and freezer sections). Also required to travel and drive. The use of proper safety practices when handling the products and/or cooking is essential.

Additional Information Regarding The Company Job Duties and Job Descriptions

Job duties include additional responsibilities as assigned by one’s supervisor or other manager related to the position/department. This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. The Company reserves the right at any time with or without notice to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job position or assign additional job responsibilities, subject to applicable law. The Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable a qualified applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of associates so classified.

The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental disability, or any other category protected by law. As part of this commitment, the Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable an applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.

<p style="margin: 0px;">Sorry the Share function is not working properly at this moment. Please refresh the page and try again later.</p>

Share on your newsfeed

Not ready to apply? Connect with us for general consideration.