GARY DEKROON
Island Lake
Summary
Proactive and versatile professional with a dedication to quickly adapting to new challenges. Strong problem-solving abilities and a proven track record of fostering strong relationships with clients and team members. Focused on supporting team success and achieving positive results. Focused on maximizing resource utilization to support scalable operations and increase bottom-line profitability.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Operations Manager
Weee!
10.2025 - Current
- Lead warehouse operations across inbound, outbound, inventory, and quality control.
- Optimize performance metrics and workflows to support rapid scaling.
- Make data-driven decisions to identify and solve operational bottlenecks.
- Plan labor needs and manage capacity during peak periods.
- Recruit, coach, and develop supervisors, leads, and warehouse associates.
- Provide hands-on floor leadership to build high-performing teams.
- Schedule and assign employees while maintaining accountability for results.
- Ensure compliance with warehousing, shipping, and OSHA safety requirements.
- Establish security procedures and safety protocols.
- Manage operating costs including daily supplies (office/warehouse/janitorial), packaging materials, and equipment repairs.
- Analyze cost variances and implement corrective actions.
- Drive cost-efficient operations while maintaining quality standards.
Senior Operations Manager
Betson Midwest
05.2023 - 10.2025
- Staffing, Recruiting, Project Management, Safety Committee, Facility Maintenance, Budget, Travel, Projects, Procurement, HR, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Inventory & Coaching.
- Mitigated business risks by working closely with staff members and assessing performance.
- Prepared staff work schedules and assigned team members to specific duties.
- Designed and implemented hiring and training practices for personnel.
- Motivated team members and devised strategies to improve workflow.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
- Established short- and long-term company goals, policies and procedures, monitoring progress and results.
Senior Manager - DC Operations
Pet Food Experts
08.2016 - 05.2023
- Staffing, Recruiting, Project Management, Safety Committee, Facility
Maintenance, KPI's / GMP's, Full P&L, Budget Management, Travel, Projects, Procurement, HR, Logistics, Supply chain management, Inventory Control Management. - Implemented process improvements to increase operational efficiency and reduce costs.
- Managed annual budgeting process, including forecasting and financial analysis to optimize resources.
- Oversaw quality assurance efforts to maintain high standards of product and service delivery.
- Negotiated high-value contracts with suppliers and clients to improve cost-effectiveness.
- Coordinated with IT department to implement new technologies and systems enhancements.
- Managed crisis situations, implementing contingency plans to minimize impact on operations.
- Oversaw talent acquisition, training, and development programs to build high-performing teams.
- Facilitated team meetings and workshops to align on goals and strategies.
- Monitored compliance with industry regulations and company policies to mitigate risk.
- Conducted performance reviews and provided feedback to direct reports for career development.
- Guided change management initiatives to ensure smooth adoption of new business practices.
- Reported to executive leadership on performance metrics, challenges, and strategic opportunities.
Inbound Operations Manager
Pet Food Experts
08.2014 - 08.2016
- Staffing, Recruiting, Project Management, Safety Committee, KPI's /
GMP's, Travel, Projects, Logistics, Inventory
Operations Night Manager
Centrex Distributors, Inc
08.2008 - 08.2014
- Coordinated work schedules and managed a 150-200 Union labor force
for nightly truck loading and stripping according to priority.
Branch Operations Supervisor
Univar USA, Inc.
03.2006 - 08.2008
- Managed inbound and outbound logistics ensuring compliance with DOT
regulations and Hazmat regulations while maintaining facility upkeep
ISO-Safety-Training Manager
Leviton Manufacturing, Inc
03.1999 - 06.2006
- Managed and updated the company's work instructions and procedures,
ensuring ISO 9001 compliance. Administrated OSHA Safety Standards
adherence, onboarding processes, Lean Thinking methodologies, supply
chain management, and procurement activities.
Education
Associates of Science - Computer Business Applications
Johnson & Wales University
Providence, RISkills
- Staffing
- Recruiting
- Project Management
- Safety Committee
- Facility Maintenance
- Budget
- Travel
- Projects
- Procurement
- HR
- Logistics
- Supply chain management
- Inventory
- Coaching
- KPI's / GMP's
- Full P&L
- Budget Management
- Lean Thinking
- Six Sigma
- P&L management
- ERP
- PIT Trainer
- Interview & Terminations
- HR liaison
- Facility setup & design layout
- Training
- Mentoring
- Strategic Planning
- Budget Administration
- Cost Reduction
- Technology Integration
- Facility Management
- Standard Operating Procedures
- Productivity Improvement
- Operations Management
- Goal attainment
- Procedure optimization
- Distribution Management
- Key Performance Indicators
- Employee Coaching
- KPI Tracking
- Safety Management
- Logistics Management
- Operational Excellence
- Property Security
- People Management
Coursework
Master Class Management Courses, Coordinated with IT department to implement new technologies and systems enhancements., Managed crisis situations, implementing contingency plans to minimize impact on operations., Oversaw talent acquisition, training, and development programs to build high-performing teams., Facilitated team meetings and workshops to align on goals and strategies., Monitored compliance with industry regulations and company policies to mitigate risk., Conducted performance reviews and provided feedback to direct reports for career development., Guided change management initiatives to ensure smooth adoption of new business practices., Reported to executive leadership on performance metrics, challenges, and strategic opportunities.
Timeline
Senior Operations Manager
Weee!
10.2025 - Current
Senior Operations Manager
Betson Midwest
05.2023 - 10.2025
Senior Manager - DC Operations
Pet Food Experts
08.2016 - 05.2023
Inbound Operations Manager
Pet Food Experts
08.2014 - 08.2016
Operations Night Manager
Centrex Distributors, Inc
08.2008 - 08.2014
Branch Operations Supervisor
Univar USA, Inc.
03.2006 - 08.2008
ISO-Safety-Training Manager
Leviton Manufacturing, Inc
03.1999 - 06.2006
Associates of Science - Computer Business Applications
Johnson & Wales University