Chris Saylor, Warehousing & Distribution Executive.
Chris Saylor is an executive with proven success overseeing
multiple divisions and sites, preparing and controlling multi-million dollar
budgets, and coordinating continuous improvement projects. He is skilled at enhancing individual and
team effectiveness, leading change, and optimizing operations.
Saylor is the Head of Operations for Associated Wholesalers,
Inc. and White Rose, Inc., together a multi-billion dollar wholesaler, where he
is a key business partner to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Executive Vice
President, and other peer members of the executive team. His responsibilities include setting
strategic direction and driving execution across the company’s entire
warehousing and distribution network, which services more than 2,300 supermarket,
neighborhood market, and convenience stores.
Saylor is accountable for the overall operations and financial
performance of the company’s five distribution centers, and he leads 12 senior
managers (including operations, inventory, quality, labor relations, and
industrial engineering) and more than 1,100 associates and their managers and
supervisors. When he first joined AWI,
Saylor oversaw distribution functions for the company’s 800 customer co-op
division as its Director of Distribution.
Before joining AWI, Saylor worked as a Distribution Manager
for Meijer, a multi-billion dollar retailer and then the 18th (now the 13th)
largest privately held company in the United States. He led the achievement of significant
distribution improvements there, including improved service quality and efficiency,
higher productivity levels, and lower operating costs. During his time at Meijer, Saylor was
responsible for service to 200 combination stores and 177 gas stations.
Prior to his work at Meijer, Saylor held a senior-level
management position with Wal-Mart Logistics.
His responsibilities there included operations support and oversight of
quality performance initiatives for regional third party logistic providers.
Earlier in his career Saylor served in leadership roles in
labor relations, safety, and risk management.
He also owned and operated two successful businesses.
In addition to his management and leadership experience,
Saylor holds Associate of Applied Science and Bachelor of Science degrees from
the University of Cincinnati, and a Master of Science in Law degree from
Champlain College.
