Job Description

Director of Distribution

The Director of Distribution provides strategic leadership and overall direction for distribution center operations. This position is responsible for driving operational performance and ensuring the distribution center meets company objectives related to safety, service, productivity, quality, employee engagement, inventory accuracy, and financial performance.

The Director of Distribution leads and develops a high-performing operations leadership team while fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, teamwork, respect, and operational excellence. The Director should excel in team building, coaching, mentoring, and developing leaders while also holding the management team accountable to established company standards, performance expectations, and operational goals This leader must be able to build strong relationships while maintaining clear expectations and addressing performance gaps when standards are not met.

This role identifies opportunities for improvement, implements sustainable solutions, manages labor and operating expenses, and ensures the distribution center is positioned to meet current and future business demands.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for all distribution center operations.
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing management team through effective coaching, mentoring, feedback, and leadership development.
• Excel at team building by creating an environment of trust, collaboration, accountability, respect, and shared ownership of results.
• Lead, coach, develop, and hold accountable operations managers, supervisors, and other distribution center leaders.
• Establish clear expectations and hold the management team accountable for meeting company standards, operational goals, leadership expectations, and performance requirements.
• Regularly assess management team performance, provide constructive feedback, recognize strong performance, and address performance gaps through coaching and appropriate performance management.
• Ensure managers and supervisors consistently model the behaviors, professionalism, communication, teamwork, and accountability expected throughout the organization.
• Promote and maintain a strong culture focused on safety, accountability, teamwork, employee engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor and improve key performance indicators, including productivity, service levels, quality, inventory accuracy, labor utilization, and operating expenses.
• Develop and execute operational strategies that improve efficiency, increase productivity, reduce costs, and support company objectives.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels and labor plans are in place to support business volume, customer requirements, and operational needs.
• Analyze operational data and performance trends to identify risks, opportunities, and areas requiring corrective action.
• Identify process gaps and implement sustainable improvements that enhance workflow, efficiency, and overall performance.
• Manage departmental budgets, labor costs, and operating expenses while maintaining financial accountability.
• Partner with Human Resources to support employee engagement, staffing, retention, performance management, succession planning, and leadership development.
• Partner closely with Human Resources to ensure consistent leadership practices, appropriate documentation, and accountability for management performance.
• Collaborate with Transportation, Merchandising, Inventory Control, Loss Prevention, and other cross-functional partners to support overall supply chain performance.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, safety requirements, and applicable employment and regulatory standards.
• Lead operational planning and support initiatives involving growth, new processes, systems, technology, and continuous improvement.
• Communicate business priorities, expectations, operational results, and performance goals clearly throughout the organization.
• Serve as a key leader in resolving complex operational challenges and making decisions that support both immediate business needs and long-term organizational goals.
• Lead by example and establish the standard for effective leadership, accountability, professionalism, teamwork, and operational excellence throughout the distribution center.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations Management, or a related field preferred. An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• Significant progressive leadership experience in distribution, warehouse, logistics, or supply chain operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading large teams and multiple levels of leadership within a high-volume distribution environment.
• Proven ability to build, coach, mentor, and develop strong management teams while maintaining accountability for performance and results.
• Demonstrated ability to set clear expectations, establish standards, provide meaningful feedback, and address performance issues effectively and professionally.
• Strong knowledge of distribution center operations, labor planning, productivity management, inventory processes, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze operational data and use results to drive measurable performance improvement.
• Experience managing budgets, labor costs, and operating expenses.
• Strong leadership, communication, coaching, problem-solving, decision-making, and change-management skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships and collaborate with leaders across multiple functions.
• Proficiency with warehouse management systems, workforce management systems, operational reporting tools, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing business priorities.

Physical and Work Requirements

• Ability to work in a distribution center environment with exposure to varying temperatures, noise, warehouse equipment, and other operational conditions.
• Ability to walk and stand for extended periods and travel throughout the distribution center as needed.
• Flexibility to support multiple shifts, weekends, holidays, and other business needs as required.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. Employment decisions are made without regard to any status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.