The Distribution Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of operations within a distribution facility, including managing employees, subordinate supervisors, and coordinating across functional areas (both internal and external). This role requires deep operational expertise, strategic thinking, and strong leadership capabilities. The manager ensures the tactical execution of daily tasks, contributes to strategic planning, drives continuous improvement, and fosters a high-performing and inclusive team culture. The role is critical to achieving service excellence, operational efficiency, and compliance with company and regulatory standards.
Primary Duties: Operational Leadership- Direct and oversee end-to-end distribution operations-including receiving, storage, order fulfillment, returns, and shipping-by implementing and continuously improving standard operating procedures to ensure consistency, quality, and regulatory compliance.
- Develop and execute tactical operating plans to achieve service level agreements (SLAs), productivity targets, and customer expectations, using KPI analysis and cross-functional coordination with transportation, inventory, and customer service teams to drive performance and seamless logistics execution.
Strategic Contribution - Partners with senior distribution center leadership to align operational objectives with enterprise strategy by developing systems, tools, and performance dashboards; leading strategic planning and reporting; and supporting long-range initiatives, including capacity planning, technology adoption, and business continuity and risk mitigation.
Continuous Improvement and Innovation- Leads cross-functional continuous improvement and operational innovation initiatives to streamline workflows, reduce waste, and improve service levels by applying data-driven analysis and collaborative problem-solving, while driving efficiency and cost-reduction opportunities and researching, piloting, and implementing new technologies, automation, and digital solutions to modernize distribution operations.
Team Leadership- Lead, mentor, and develop supervisors, leads, and associates by providing clear direction, performance feedback, coaching, and development opportunities, while fostering an inclusive, safety-focused, and high-engagement culture that promotes accountability and continuous learning.
- Drive workforce planning and talent strategy by aligning staffing levels and labor plans with business needs, partnering with HR on recruiting and hiring, and supporting retention, succession planning, and career development programs to build a sustainable, high-performing organization.
Budget, Compliance, and Safety- Develop and manage the operating budget by monitoring labor, equipment, operational expenses, and capital investments to ensure fiscal discipline, cost control, and alignment with business objectives and financial targets.
- Lead safety and compliance programs by ensuring adherence to company policies and regulatory requirements (including OSHA and DOT), driving safety culture initiatives, overseeing audits and inspections, implementing corrective actions, and maintaining accurate compliance and safety documentation.
Inventory & Quality Assurance- Oversee inventory accuracy and quality by managing counts and audits, addressing discrepancies and damages, and supporting continuous improvement efforts to maintain accurate inventory and efficient product flow.
Decision-Making & Communication - Exercise independent, high-level decision-making to resolve complex operational issues, manage critical situations, and drive results, while facilitating cross-departmental collaboration to ensure alignment and effective execution of shared objectives.
- Communicate with clarity and influence across all organizational levels and external stakeholders, building strong relationships and representing the distribution center in leadership forums, project teams, and external engagements to support operational success and continuous improvement.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: - College degree in supply chain management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field; equivalent experience in warehouse or distribution operations may be considered.
- 8+ years of experience in distribution, logistics, or supply chain operations, with direct responsibility for team supervision and daily execution.
- 3+ years of management experience with direct reports and/or indirect leading of teams/mentoring, and coaching experience required.
- Preferred: Certifications such as Forklift Operation, or Lean Six Sigma to support compliance and continuous improvement.
- Strategic Communication: Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and strategically with associates, peers, senior leadership, and cross-functional partners to align operational priorities, safety expectations, performance standards, and policy changes across multiple shifts or functional areas.
- Operational Management & Oversight: Proven ability to lead and optimize multi-shift or multi-department operations by establishing performance expectations, driving process improvements, analyzing operational metrics, managing labor and capital resources, and ensuring execution of operational initiatives to meet volume, service, cost, and safety objectives.
- People Leadership & Talent Development: Strong capability to lead, develop, and hold accountable front-line leaders and teams by setting goals, prioritizing work, evaluating performance, fostering an inclusive and performance-driven culture, and overseeing hiring, onboarding, coaching, succession planning, and leadership development.
- Employee Relations & Conflict Management: Ability to proactively address and resolve employee performance, engagement, and workplace issues through consistent application of policies, sound judgment, and partnership with HR, while appropriately escalating complex or sensitive matters and promoting a respectful, compliant, and inclusive workplace.
Working Conditions: Distribution center environment.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills which may be required.
