MICHAEL TAVENNER
Gilbert,AZ
Summary
Distribution and operations manager with a record of leading large teams across warehouse, transportation, and facility functions. Brings hands-on experience improving productivity, controlling expenses, and maintaining food safety, DOT, and OSHA compliance while supporting accurate inventory, reliable deliveries, and high customer satisfaction. Known for driving process improvements and steady day-to-day execution.
Overview
1
1
Certification
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Operations Manager
Quality Custom Distribution
Phoenix, Arizona
05.2023 - Current
- Directed warehouse and transportation operations for Quality Custom Distribution distribution center.
- Directed day-to-day operations by spearheading implementation of short-term and long-term strategies to achieve the business plan and profitability goals.
- Supervised day-to-day workflow of employees in order to maximize productivity and maintain quality standards.
- Supervised dock, inventory, and dispatch teams to support customer deliveries.
- Coordinated receiving, storage, and order fulfillment activities across daily workflows.
- Scheduled labor, routes, and equipment use to align with distribution demands.
- Trained staff on SOPs, safety rules, and warehouse handling practices.
- Resolved operational issues with drivers, vendors, and customer service teams.
- Resolved customer complaints in a timely manner while ensuring customer satisfaction remains at optimal levels.
- Built strong operational teams to meet process and production demands.
- Managed staffing needs through recruitment, selection, onboarding and training, disciplinary action as necessary.
- Monitored and improved efficiency of processes, team performance, and customer service.
- Ensured compliance with safety regulations and maintained a safe work environment for all personnel.
- Identified areas of deficiency and performed root-cause analysis to solve problems.
- Implemented policies and standard operating procedures and managed quality, customer service and logistics.
- Developed and implemented operational procedures to ensure quality standards are met.
- Collaborated with management team on long-term strategic planning initiatives for the organization.
- Analyzed data from daily reports to identify trends in production performance metrics.
- Maintained accurate inventory records to track stock levels and minimize costs.
- Improved morale and management communication by creating employee recognition and rewards practices.
- Implemented innovative strategies that reduced operating costs while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.
- Coordinated with other departments including sales, marketing, finance, human resources to ensure efficient operations.
- Created detailed reports on the performance of individual departments within operations.
- Connected with clients and developed strategies to achieve sales and customer service goals.
- Planned delivery routing, team workflows, and promotional initiatives.
- Oversaw financial management, budget management, accounting and payroll activities.
- Produced SOPs to document workplace procedures and optimize productivity through standardization.
- Measured and reviewed performance via KPIs and metrics.
- Performed cost analysis for various projects to determine budget requirements.
- Developed key performance indicators to measure effectiveness of operational processes.
- Delegated work to staff, by setting priorities and goals.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery of products and services.
- Monitored food safety, sanitation, and quality control procedures throughout operations.
- Responded to information requests from superiors, providing specific documentation.
- Collaborated with team leaders on quality audits.
- Assessed employee development needs and provided feedback on their progress toward meeting goals.
Transportation Specialist
Core-Mark
Tolleson, Arizona
07.2021 - 05.2023
- Coordinated transportation schedules with carriers and warehouse dispatch teams to ensure timely deliveries.
- Monitored shipment status through transportation systems and updated delivery information.
- Reviewed route plans for Core-Mark distribution and adjusted freight assignments.
- Verified DOT compliance and ensured accuracy of transportation paperwork for outbound freight movements.
- Communicated shipment delays to drivers, vendors, and internal teams, facilitating prompt resolutions.
- Resolved customer complaints related to shipment delays or damages in an effective manner.
- Investigated incidents involving damaged cargo or accidents involving company vehicles or personnel.
Transportation Specialist
Martin-Brower
Phoenix, AZ
03.2021 - 06.2021
- Led a team of 70 drivers, reviewing performance to enhance delivery timeliness and operational efficiency.
- Coordinated compliance with CMFH standards, DOT (FMCSA), and customer service goals, supported operational excellence.
- Ensured operations complied with Martin-Brower regulations, contributing to safety and regulatory adherence.
Logistics Contract Consultant
Apple/Volt
Mesa, AZ
09.2020 - 12.2020
- Streamlined operations through targeted recommendations for knowledge-based processes and procedures.
- Strengthened safety by reviewing process data, developing actionable solutions, and monitoring implementation effectiveness.
- Devised strategies to enhance organizational efficiency and optimize group management practices.
Warehouse / Facilities Manager/Fleet Manager
Renewal By Anderson
Tempe, AZ
03.2017 - 07.2020
- Oversaw timely production, facility maintenance, inventory management, fleet services, safety compliance, payroll processing, and security operations.
- Managed multiple departments with 40 direct and 60 indirect reports, ensuring team alignment and operational efficiency.
- Directed operational improvements to meet contractual demands for customer installs.
- Drove continuous improvement of process and systems operation.
- Monitored expenses to adhere to budget requirements and optimize resource allocation.
- Evaluated operations and personnel for EHS regulations compliance.
- Oversaw all aspects of installation, maintenance, and repair for both internal and external services.
Logistics Consultant
VPCFS
Phoenix, AZ
10.2016 - 02.2017
- Developed comprehensive business cases to analyze costs, benefits, ROI and TCO of proposed solutions.
- Created detailed roadmaps outlining action items and project goals, generating reports to guide budgeting and planning.
- Developed strategic plans for component development, aligning with future project initiatives.
Transportation Manager
US Foods Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ
06.2015 - 08.2016
- Leading a team of 10 direct and 147 indirect employees by reviewing performance to promote timely and efficient deliveries and operations.
- Supervised personnel by assigning and directing daily tasks to ensure operational efficiency.
- Guided teams to achieve and maintain accountability for key results.
- Built team to meet company goals, including EBITDA targets.
Director of Operations
ProPacific Fresh
Durham, CA
02.2012 - 05.2015
- Lead a team of 18 direct and 140 indirect reports in warehouse, inventory, food safety, safety and logistics departments along with multiple sites.
- Oversaw day-to-day production activities in accordance with business objectives.
- Developed and revised operational policies and guidelines to enhance efficiency and compliance.
- Set team and individual goals and provided regular, actionable feedback.
- Analyzed technology and resource needs to plan and assess feasibility of projects aligned with market demand.
- Reduced operational risks while organizing data to forecast performance trends.
- Managed and trained Managers and Supervisors to elevate operational knowledge and skills in food distribution.
- Set team and individual KPIs and provided regular, actionable feedback.
Operations Manager
Royal Crest Dairy
Denver, CO
01.2009 - 01.2012
- Managed 10 direct along with 120 indirect reports for distribution, fleet, and manufacturing of dairy products distributed through multiple sites.
- Led initiatives for regulatory compliance, promoting good manufacturing practices and ensuring component quality standards.
- Oversaw KPIs for CMFH, on-time delivery, safety, and vendor analysis across three departments.
- Developed processes to enhance long-term business viability and profitability.
Education
Leadership Training Certificate - Organizational Leadership
William Covey
01-2020
Trade School Certification - Computer Science
New Horizons
San Diego, CA05-1994
No Degree - Business Management
San Diego Mesa College
Skills
- Logistics - inbound and outbound processes
- Supply chain management
- Management systems - WMS, TMS, E-Logs, RF devices
- Warehouse management systems
- Transportation management systems
- Electronic logging devices
- Project Management - Lean Six Sigma, A3 gap plans
- Inventory control - Audits, shrink, product movement
- Safety - OSHA, DOT FMCSA
- Effective communication
- Customer support
- Collaboration
- Leadership - Servant style, culture
- Critical thinking
- Procedures - SOP's, productivity
- Microsoft Office
- Outlook
- ERP systems
Certification
- CDL Class A MHE certified and Train the Trainer. Skill Path Management Courses Certified Fuel operations A/B cert. Green Belt Six Sigma. Bonded FBI Security background for Military Posts and Airports. HACCP Certified through AIB.
Accomplishments
- Completed Stephen Covey Leadership management courses.
- Achieved Greenbelt status in Lean Six Sigma.
- Started as warehouseman and was promoted to supervisor, then manager, to director through great mentorship.
- Collaborated with team of 6 in the development of routing optimization project that saved 25 million in revenue.
- Changed the beer industry in San Diego from delivering product utilizing side load trailers to end loaders resulting in saving 35% lost revenue.
- Documented and resolved customer service issues which led to 98% on time delivery rate.
- Slashed SHRINK by 68% that netted 400,000 dollars in profit revenue.
- Achieved safety goals by completing daily safety audits with accuracy and efficiency by 32% year 1 and up to 56% by end of year 2 net results saving thousands of dollars from prevention of accidents and injuries.
- Documented and resolved customer concerns which led to a 98% on time delivery rate.
- Achieved 42% profit growth by introducing WMS, TMS, and electronic logs for operational tasks.
- Collaborated with team of 4 in the development of inventory control project.
- Achieved best FMCSA score by completing driver pre and post trip audits with accuracy and efficiency.
- Collaborated on Safety projected that resulted in 100% employee certification in 30 days.
- Route optimization project in reduction of miles, time labor, and customer satisfaction that saved 300k over 3yr period.
- Vendor contract negotiations to reduce 42% in cost.
- Redesign warehouse based on analysis for better product flow and reducing employee risk of safety.
Timeline
Operations Manager
Quality Custom Distribution
05.2023 - Current
Transportation Specialist
Core-Mark
07.2021 - 05.2023
Transportation Specialist
Martin-Brower
03.2021 - 06.2021
Logistics Contract Consultant
Apple/Volt
09.2020 - 12.2020
Warehouse / Facilities Manager/Fleet Manager
Renewal By Anderson
03.2017 - 07.2020
Logistics Consultant
VPCFS
10.2016 - 02.2017
Transportation Manager
US Foods Phoenix
06.2015 - 08.2016
Director of Operations
ProPacific Fresh
02.2012 - 05.2015
Operations Manager
Royal Crest Dairy
01.2009 - 01.2012
Leadership Training Certificate - Organizational Leadership
William Covey
Trade School Certification - Computer Science
New Horizons
No Degree - Business Management
San Diego Mesa College