Lester Berry
Summary
Strategic Supply Chain and Transportation Leader skilled in optimizing multi-site operations and implementing Lean Six Sigma initiatives. Proven record of achieving substantial cost savings, improving safety metrics by 90%, and enhancing workforce stability while driving team performance and satisfaction.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant General Manager
Quality Custom Distribution
06.2023 - Current
- Delivered $1 million above planned EBITDA through strategic cost control and efficiency improvements.
- Achieved 16% reduction in recordable injuries through enhanced safety protocols.
- Reduced turnover from 65% to 32%, significantly improving workforce stability.
- Led conversion from six-day to seven-day delivery model, increasing operational capacity and service standards.
- Planned, directed, and organized all phases of product distribution, ensuring timely and accurate delivery to stores.
- Developed and implemented distribution center policies aligning with company-wide objectives for customer service, safety, and performance.
- Coordinated with customers on service levels and costs, maintaining high-quality service and enhancing company reputation.
- Created customer improvement action plans to enhance service levels and satisfaction.
Interim General Manager
Quality Custom Distribution
03.2023 - 06.2023
- Managed recruitment, training, and performance evaluation to cultivate a motivated, high-performing team.
- Coordinated product distribution phases to ensure timely, accurate delivery to customer stores.
- Analyzed inventory practices and surplus stock to strengthen control methods.
- Directed policies ensuring safety standards exceeded industry averages.
- Led Six Sigma initiatives, improving warehouse efficiency by 12%.
- Increased cases-per-route efficiency by 9%, minimizing operational delays.
- Achieved 90% reduction in recordable accidents within 12 months.
- Improved company scorecard ranking from 24th to 13th in three quarters.
Assistant General Manager
Quality Custom Distribution
09.2022 - 03.2023
- Achieved 25% reduction in recordable accidents through enhanced safety protocols.
- Increased warehouse productivity by 8% via process optimization.
- Minimized hours of service violations by 26% through effective monitoring.
- Established cross-functional communication processes through daily and monthly meetings, improving collaboration across teams.
- Introduced KPI reporting to provide clear visibility for informed decision-making and track performance effectively.
- Elevated performance scorecard ranking within one quarter of implementation, demonstrating swift organizational improvement.
Transportation Manager
McLane Company
02.2020 - 09.2022
- Boosted backhaul revenue by $87,590 through implementation of strategic initiatives.
- Generated $239K in savings through development of preventive maintenance program.
- Reduced injuries by 17% and improved overall KPIs by 9% through safety initiatives.
- Led Kaizen initiative that decreased ramp-related accidents by 75%.
- Increased DriveCam coaching effectiveness by 28% through targeted training and feedback.
- Managed environmental compliance for hazardous waste and stormwater programs.
Transportation Manager
Martin Brower
01.2019 - 11.2019
- Achieved $145k cost savings through implemented routing efficiencies.
- Increased backhaul revenue by 15% through strategic initiatives.
- Optimized equipment usage, increasing on-time delivery by 16%.
- Led cultural transformation, achieving a 6% rise in engagement scores.
Warehouse Manager
Martin Brower
05.2018 - 02.2019
- Managed 190K sq. ft. distribution center serving 600+ restaurants
- Achieved 95.23% delivery reliability and 99.9% product accuracy
- Led rollout of fresh beef program, enhancing product quality across all McDonald’s locations
- Developed labor planning tools that minimized overtime costs
- Supported disaster recovery operations, ensuring operational continuity during hurricanes
Transportation Manager
Martin Brower
08.2015 - 05.2018
- Oversaw multi-site operations generating $126 million annually across 57,000 orders.
- Boosted backhaul revenue by 28% year-over-year by optimizing logistics operations.
- Achieved $718,000 in cost savings through lean and Six Sigma initiatives.
- Reduced collisions by 38%, enhancing operational safety.
- Reduced workers’ compensation claims by 49% through proactive risk management strategies.
- Oversaw $18 million annual payroll, ensuring compliance with financial regulations.
Transportation & Warehouse Manager
Hearn Kirkwood
03.2014 - 08.2015
- Directed transportation and warehouse operations across multiple facilities
- Led team of 55 employees and 5 office staff to enhance operational efficiency
- Implemented routing and trailer optimization strategies to minimize delays and improve delivery times
- Improved supply chain performance and inventory accuracy
- Strengthened vendor relationships to enhance customer satisfaction and service reliability
- Reduced operating costs by 1.89% within two quarters
- Managed full P&L responsibility and capital investments
- Developed SOPs, compliance frameworks, and safety programs
Education
Master of Science - Transportation Engineering & Operations
Morgan State University
Baltimore, MD
Bachelor of Science - Biology
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Skills
- Operations leadership
- Fleet management
- Warehouse operations
- P&L management
- Vendor management
- Workforce planning
- Process optimization
- Lean Six Sigma
- Regulatory compliance
- Safety compliance
- Effective communication
- Team leadership
- Multi-site management
Certification
- OSHA 30-Hour Certification, 2019
- Lean Six Sigma, Applied in multiple operational initiatives
Accomplishments
- Delivered multi-million-dollar EBITDA improvements.
- Consistently reduced safety incidents and improved compliance metrics.
- Generated significant cost savings through Lean and Six Sigma projects.
- Proven leader in multi-site distribution, culture transformation, and operational excellence.
Timeline
Assistant General Manager
Quality Custom Distribution
06.2023 - Current
Interim General Manager
Quality Custom Distribution
03.2023 - 06.2023
Assistant General Manager
Quality Custom Distribution
09.2022 - 03.2023
Transportation Manager
McLane Company
02.2020 - 09.2022
Transportation Manager
Martin Brower
01.2019 - 11.2019
Warehouse Manager
Martin Brower
05.2018 - 02.2019
Transportation Manager
Martin Brower
08.2015 - 05.2018
Transportation & Warehouse Manager
Hearn Kirkwood
03.2014 - 08.2015
Master of Science - Transportation Engineering & Operations
Morgan State University
Bachelor of Science - Biology
University of Maryland Eastern Shore