Area Operations Director - North Region at American Welding & Gas in Appleton, WI

Job description

• American Welding & Gas Inc. is thrilled to announce an immediate opening for a dynamic Area Operations Director in the vibrant North Markets (Wisconsin/ Minnesota). Don’t miss the chance to make an impact in this key leadership role!
• The Area Operations Director is responsible for the overall operational performance of multiple branch locations and facilities within an assigned region. This role provides leadership across distribution, logistics, customer service, safety, and facility operations to ensure consistent service delivery, regulatory compliance, and financial performance. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with deep experience in industrial distribution or manufacturing environments and a proven ability to lead teams, improve processes, and scale operations.

Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership
• Provide strategic and day-to-day operational leadership for multiple branch locations and facilities.
• Ensure consistent execution of AWG operational standards, policies, and best practices.
• Drive operational efficiency, service reliability, and customer satisfaction across the region.
• Safety & Compliance
• Champion AWG’s safety-first culture and ensure compliance with OSHA, DOT, EPA, FDA (medical gases), and CGA requirements.
• Lead safety initiatives, audits, incident investigations, and corrective action plans.
• Ensure facilities, fleets, and operations meet all regulatory and company safety standards.
• Logistics & Distribution
• Oversee packaged/bulk gas distribution, including fleet management and route optimization
• Partner with supply chain teams to ensure inventory accuracy, asset utilization, and product availability.
• Support implementation of technology and process improvements to enhance delivery and warehouse operations.
• Team Leadership & Development
• Lead, coach, and develop branch managers, operations managers, and frontline supervisors.
• Support recruiting, training, performance management, and succession planning.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Financial & Performance Management
• Manage regional operating budgets, labor costs, and capital expenditures.
• Monitor KPIs related to safety, service levels, productivity, and profitability.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and operational improvements while maintaining service quality.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Work closely with sales, production, safety, HR, and finance teams to align operations with business objectives.
• Support integration of newly acquired branches and standardization of operational processes.
• Serve as an escalation point for customer and operational issues requiring senior leadership involvement.
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Management, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 10+ years of progressive operations experience in industrial distribution, manufacturing, or logistics.
• Proficiency in supply chain/inventory management in a B2B organization.
• Strong knowledge of safety regulations, DOT logistics, and distribution operations.
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage budgets, and drive operational improvements.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to travel regularly within the assigned region

Skills

Required

• Leadership
• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Budget management
• Supply chain/inventory management
• DOT logistics
• Distribution operations

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage from day one.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Generous paid time off and paid holidays.
• A supportive, team-oriented culture with opportunities for growth.
• Salaried