Job Summary:The Director of Distribution & Logistics owns the end-to-end physical flow of Step2 product across our network - four warehouse locations, an internal shuttle/fleet operation, and a micro-fulfillment partner. Reporting to the COO, this leader is accountable for the cost, service, capacity, and safety performance of our distribution and logistics operations, with a particular focus on optimizing the flow of large-format, space-intensive product.
This is a hands-on leadership role for someone with a technical foundation and a continuous-improvement mindset. The Director will use data and disciplined process design to drive throughput, space utilization, and on-time delivery while critically evaluating our third-party logistics (3PL) and LTL freight strategy. They will lead a team of four direct and build the systems, metrics, and partnerships that scale with the business.
Location: Onsite (Streetsboro, OH Headquarters) with regular presence across our four warehouse locations. Occasional travel - approximately once per month - is expected to partner and facility sites.
Job Duties:Key ResponsibilitiesSafety- Champion a safety-first culture across all locations and the fleet - own warehouse and DOT safety programs, drive OSHA compliance, and lead efforts to eliminate injuries, incidents, and unsafe conditions.
Network & Operations Leadership- Direct day-to-day operations across four warehouse locations, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective receiving, storage, picking, packing, and shipping of large-format product.
- Lead, develop, and hold accountable a team of four managers/coordinators; set clear goals, KPIs, and standard work, and build bench strength across the function.
- Oversee the internal shuttle and fleet operation, optimizing routing, utilization, and inter-facility moves while ensuring DOT compliance and driver safety.
- Manage the micro-fulfillment partner relationship, integrating it into the broader network to improve speed and reach for direct-to-consumer and e-commerce demand.
Flow Optimization & Continuous Improvement- Optimize product flow and space utilization across the network - slotting, storage strategy, cube efficiency, and material handling - specifically engineered for high-volume, large-format SKUs.
- Apply Lean / Six Sigma and continuous-improvement methods to reduce touches, cycle times, damage, and cost per unit shipped.
- Establish and govern a metrics framework (throughput, fill rate, on-time delivery, cost-to-serve, damage, safety, labor productivity) and drive a culture of data-based decision-making.
- Build dashboards, capacity models, and labor/volume forecasts that inform staffing, layout, and investment decisions.
Logistics, Freight & 3PL Strategy- Critically evaluate the performance, cost, and scalability of the current 3PL partner(s), and lead make-vs-buy and partner-selection analyses where warranted.
- Own LTL, truckload, and parcel freight strategy - carrier selection, rate negotiation, mode optimization, and service-level management - with attention to the freight challenges unique to oversized product.
- Drive transportation cost reduction and service improvement through network design, consolidation, and routing strategy.
Inventory, Systems & Cross-Functional Partnership- Ensure inventory accuracy and integrity across the network, partnering with the Inventory Coordinator on cycle counting, reconciliation, and process controls.
- Champion the effective use and ongoing improvement of WMS/TMS and related operational technology, including automation and material-handling investments.
- Partner closely with Manufacturing, Planning, Customer Service, Sales, and Finance to align capacity, service commitments, and cost targets.
- Work with the Finance and credit team to identify, address, and minimize customer chargebacks - improving routing-guide compliance, shipping accuracy, and on-time/in-full performance to protect margin.
- Lead capital and operating budget planning for the function; build the business case for facility, equipment, and technology investments.
Qualifications and Experience Requirements:Required Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations, or a related technical field (advanced degree a plus).
- 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in warehousing, distribution, and/or logistics, including multi-site responsibility.
- Demonstrated technical background - comfort with data, modeling, systems, and engineered process design - paired with a proven continuous-improvement track record (Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent).
- Direct experience managing or evaluating 3PL partners and negotiating LTL/truckload/parcel freight.
- Strong command of WMS/TMS platforms, KPIs, and warehouse/transportation analytics.
- Proven people-leadership experience building and developing high-performing teams.
- Based in or able to relocate to the Streetsboro, Ohio area; able to work on-site and travel approximately once per month.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience with large-format, bulky, or low-density product and the associated space, handling, and freight challenges.
- Lean / Six Sigma certification (Green or Black Belt).
- Experience integrating micro-fulfillment, e-commerce, or omnichannel distribution.
- Exposure to warehouse automation, material-handling systems, or network-design / facility expansion projects.
- Experience managing an internal private fleet and associated DOT compliance.
Key Competencies- Analytical and systems thinking - turns data into decisions and designs processes that scale.
- Bias for action and continuous improvement - sees waste, owns the fix, and measures the result.
- Strong leadership and communication - develops people and aligns cross-functional partners.
- Commercial acumen - balances cost, service, and capacity to drive the business forward.
Work Environment:This position will perform most job duties in an office environment where using a computer, software applications, telephone, printer, etc. are essential.
FLSA Status:Exempt
What are the perks? Paid Parental Leave
401k with Employer Match
Company Paid Life & Disability Insurance
Adoption Assistance
Medical, Dental and Vision
Employee Discount
10 Paid Holidays
Advancement Opportunities
Join our family!#LI-onsite 
