About the RoleAs the senior HR leader for Ariat's Distribution & Logistics organization, you will serve as a strategic partner and trusted advisor to Distribution, Logistics and Supply Chain leadership, shaping and executing the people strategy for our distribution operations, which include two distribution centers, Ace and Hub, handling Apparel and Footwear, as well as a separate Returns Facility. You will lead the HR team supporting Distribution, ensuring a safe, engaged, productive, and well-led workforce that can scale with the business.
You will partner with operations leaders on workforce and labor planning, organizational design, talent and leadership development, and employee relations, and work closely with Talent Acquisition Third Party Providers, People Development, Total Rewards, HR Operations, EHS, and Legal to deliver solutions that support peak volume, operational performance, and growth. This role balances enterprise-level strategy with a visible, handson presence on the floor across all three facilities and all shifts.
You'll Make a Difference By- Serving as the strategic HR business partner to the Distribution & Logistics leadership team, translating operational goals into a people strategy and multi-year HR roadmap for the Distribution organization.
- Leading, coaching, and developing the Distribution & Logistics HR team, setting clear priorities, building capability, and ensuring consistent HR support across all shifts at the Ace and Hub distribution centers and the Returns Facility.
- Partnering with Operations and Finance on workforce and labor planning, shift structures, staffing models, and organizational design, including planning for peak and seasonal volume across Apparel, Footwear, and Returns operations.
- Owning the Distribution talent strategy in partnership with Talent Acquisition Third Party providers, including high-volume hourly hiring, temporary and staffing agency partnerships, frontline leadership pipelines, and succession planning.
- Driving retention, attendance, and engagement strategies for an hourly workforce, using data to diagnose root causes and measure the impact of actions.
- Partnering with People Development to build and deliver leadership development for supervisors and managers, strengthening frontline leadership and the DC culture.
- Overseeing employee relations for the Distribution & Logistics organization, guiding complex investigations, mitigating risk, and fostering a positive, direct-connect employee relations environment.
- Ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, including wage and hour, leave, and labor relations requirements, and partnering with EHS to support a strong safety culture.
- Partnering with Total Rewards to shape competitive hourly pay structures, shift differentials, incentive, and recognition programs that attract and retain top operations talent.
- Leading the Performance Cycle and engagement survey for Distribution & Logistics, partnering with leaders to translate results into meaningful action plans.
- Designing and leading change management for automation, process, and organizational changes impacting DC teams.
- Establishing and reporting on key Distribution & Logistics people metrics (turnover, attendance, time-to-fill, engagement, labor productivity) to inform decisions and track progress.
- Contributing as a member of the HR leadership team on enterprise-wide initiatives and HR strategy.
- Assisting with other responsibilities based on business needs.
About You- 10+ years of progressive HR experience, including 5+ years in an HR Business Partner or HR leadership role and 3+ years leading HR teams.
- Experience supporting distribution center, warehouse, logistics, or manufacturing operations with a large hourly, multi-shift workforce; experience with high-volume and peak season staffing.
- Experience working with staffing agencies and temporary labor; familiarity with workplace safety (OSHA) partnership and union-avoidance/positive employee relations strategies preferred.
- Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business, or a related field required; advanced degree or SPHR/SHRM-SCP certification preferred.
- Demonstrated strength as a coach and trusted advisor to senior leaders, with the credibility to challenge, influence, and drive decisions at the executive level.
- Deep working knowledge of U.S. federal, state, and local employment and labor regulations, with experience managing complex employee relations matters and investigations and assessing risk relative to the business.
- Track record of designing and implementing scalable people programs and processes in a high-growth, matrixed organization; creates the right amount of process where none exists.
- Strong business and financial acumen; experience using workforce data and metrics to identify insights that drive action.
- Proven change management, project management, and organizational design experience.
- Optimistic, open, and empathetic leader who builds strong relationships and balances objectivity, empathy, and heart when solving challenges.
- Exceptional interpersonal, listening, critical thinking, and communication skills (written and verbal), with the ability to present to and engage executive audiences.
- Proficiency in HRIS platforms and Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
- Spanish speaking preferred.
- Ability to be visible on the floor across all three facilities and all shifts and to flex to non-traditional hours; ability to travel domestically as needed.
Ariat's holistic benefits package for full-time team members includes (but is not limited to):
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance options
- Expanded wellness and mental health benefits
- Paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, and paid volunteer days
- 401(k) with company match
- Bonus incentive plans
- Team member discount on Ariat merchandise
Note: Availability of benefits may be subject to location & employment type and may have certain eligibility requirements. Ariat reserves the right to alter these benefits in whole or in part at any time without advance notice.
