Richard Rowe
Ridgefield,WA
Summary
Accomplished General Manager and Director of Distribution with over 24 years of expertise in operations management, demonstrating a strong commitment to excellence and reliability. Proven ability to efficiently oversee warehouse operations, ensuring alignment with internal and external customer needs while driving performance through effective team building and program management. A forward-thinking leader with a solid track record in developing best practices for high-volume fulfillment, dedicated to continuous operational improvement and maximizing employee potential for optimal results. Recognized for decisiveness and coordination skills that enhance departmental efficiency and achieve organizational goals.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manger
UNFI, United Natural Foods
09.2022 - 07.2025
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning.
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Implemented operational strategies and effectively built customer and employee loyalty.
- Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
- Managed budget implementations, employee evaluations, and contract details.
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
- Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
General Manager
UNFI, United Natural Foods
01.2020 - 09.2022
- Maximized operational excellence mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, and company procedures.
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability.
- Provided thoughtful guidance to personnel in navigating and resolving snags in productivity.
- Formulated policies and procedures to streamline operations.
Director of Distribution
UNFI
09.2018 - 08.2020
- Led the Standardization training out of Portland for all California DC's. I supported my General Manager as well as interfaced and directed the Warehouse, Transportation and Maintenance managers and superintendents. Reviewed daily activities, projections, work schedules and various other DC opportunities. Reviewed operational reports and P&L statements. Responded to associate questions, requests, grievances and other labor relation issues, as instructed by the General Manager. Approved or rejected store credits, developed associates and overall team. Provided General Manager operational updates and exchanged ideas for improvement in the operation. Walked area of responsibility ensuring compliance with programs and improvement of methods. After the GM's departure, I was put into an Interim GM role during the transition of the Portland operations into the Centralia DC. I set up the Warn notices, aligning this with the schedule proposed by senior leadership. My leadership team and I put together a schedule and plan for the decommissioning of the Portland DC. The execution stayed on-time and on schedule. On 08/17/20 after all physical inventory was moved out of the Portland DC, I accepted a transfer to the Ridgefield DC as an OPS Manager II.
Ops Manager II
UNFI
08.2019 - 01.2020
- With my transition to Ridgefield, I have been instrumental in driving down the Warehouse OOS rate from 1.72% to under .25%. This has been accomplished by engaging with Inventory Control and supervisors and holding them accountable for necessary improvement, while implementing processes and setting goals. While developing the supervisory staff, I created specific areas of responsibility, aisle assignments and teams (supervisors assigned associates). I used my previous knowledge and submitted a production policy which we rolled out on 10/18/20. This policy was a “two-part, one part”, giving tenured associates a 4-week progression to reach the company expectation of 95% and new associates a 10-week progression to reach the company goal of 95%. Since this rollout UNFI associates have consistently increased selector productivity week over week.
Warehouse Manager
Unified Grocers/Supervalu
06.2015 - 09.2018
- I was responsible for and oversaw all aspects of the operation in the GM/Repack and Deli warehouses including, but not limited to safety, budget, planning, payroll, internal damage, working with buyers, vendors and settling union issues. I was responsible for 82 union members, 4 supervisors and 2 non-union clerks that reported to me. I led a team in the planning of moving the GM/HABA out of the Repack department to Stockton BWS. Once that was complete, I led the transition of the fast-moving Market Centre product into the DC.
Warehouse Supervisor
Unified Grocers/Supervalu
02.2008 - 06.2015
- In my role as supervisor I oversaw the Grocery swing shift operation. My duties include all aspects of shipping and receiving. I was also responsible for moving labor within our department, or outside our department, depending on budgetary goals and staffing needs. In my time at Unified I have worked all shifts and gained valuable knowledge in all departments and processes.
Education
High School Diploma -
Chana High School
Auburn, CA01.1996
Skills
- Safety-focused
- Data analysis
- Documentation
- Expert with RF systems
- Warehouse management systems
- Cost reduction
- Inventory management
- Proficient in Microsoft package
- Production planning
- Customer service
- Operations Management
- Process improvement
- Staff development
- Workforce planning
- Forecasting
- Key performance indicators
Accomplishments
- 2020 promoted to GM in new start up building
- 2018 - Promoted to Director of Distribution with Supervalu/UNFI
- 2015 - Promoted to General Merchandise and Deli manager with Unified Grocers
- 2014 - Completed the Multi-modal Hazardous goods shipping through Global Transit Training Services including IATA, IMDG, DOT 49 CFR
- 2013 – Attended Today's Managers, Tomorrow's Leaders program through Portland State University
Timeline
General Manger
UNFI, United Natural Foods
09.2022 - 07.2025
General Manager
UNFI, United Natural Foods
01.2020 - 09.2022
Ops Manager II
UNFI
08.2019 - 01.2020
Director of Distribution
UNFI
09.2018 - 08.2020
Warehouse Manager
Unified Grocers/Supervalu
06.2015 - 09.2018
Warehouse Supervisor
Unified Grocers/Supervalu
02.2008 - 06.2015
High School Diploma -
Chana High School