Senior Specialist - DC Operational Excellence

On; Zürich; On-site; CHF 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

On is seeking a Senior Specialist in DC Operational Excellence to drive global SOPs, quality governance, and continuous improvement across a worldwide 3PL distribution network. The role bridges central strategy with floor-level execution, championing Lean principles and supporting RFPs while ensuring scalable operations for Retail, B2B, and ecommerce fulfillment.

The candidate will define and harmonize SOPs, lead the audit framework, and collaborate with regional teams to reduce defects, improve

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in SCM or related field.
• 5–8 years in warehouse ops, logistics process engineering, or operational excellence in multi-node distribution networks.
• Proven in designing, documenting, and governing SOPs and audits in outsourced, multi-channel environments.
• Solid foundation in Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt or equivalent).
• Strong English communication and ability to translate complex challenges into actionable frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Standardize and harmonize SOPs and operational standards across 3PL facilities.
• Lead global audit framework, criteria, scoring, and cadence with regional teams.
• Define inventory control standards and improve IRA accuracy with 3PL partners.
• Support RFPs and vendor assessments to ensure operational readiness.
• Serve as the SME for omni-channel fulfillment, retail, B2B, and high-velocity DTC processes.
• Drive Lean CI initiatives (Kaizen, 5S, DMAIC) and build business cases for improvements.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication (English)

Process standardization

Data-driven problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management/Logistics/Industrial Engineering/Business Administration

Tools

WMS

Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP

Job description

As a Senior Specialist in DC Operational Excellence, you will be the operational cornerstone for process standardization, quality governance, and continuous improvement across our global 3PL-operated Distribution Center (DC) network. Operating within the Global Distribution & Logistics Center of Excellence (CoE), you will design and harmonize global Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), govern inventory control standards, and drive operational consistency through our Audit Framework.

You will act as a bridge between central supply chain strategies and floor-level execution, championing Lean methodology, supporting network RFPs, and serving as an operational SME for channel scalability across Retail, B2B, and eCommerce fulfillment.

Your Mission

• Standard Work & Process Harmonization: Define, harmonize, and maintain global Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and operational standards across all 3PL-operated fulfillment facilities. You will focus on defining best-in-class standards and embedding them directly into the global Audit Framework to ensure worldwide consistency, while providing targeted technical and operational support during facility onboarding and solution validation.
• Operational Audits & Quality Governance: Champion the global operational audit framework, standardizing audit criteria, scoring mechanisms, and evaluation cadences in close collaboration with regional teams. Systematically capture audit findings, bridge operational compliance gaps, and feed insights directly into the Continuous Improvement pipeline to prevent defect recurrence.
• Inventory Control & Quality Assurance: Establish, monitor, and refine global inventory control standards (cycle counting logic, reconciliation workflows, shrink reduction, and defect tracking). Partner with 3PL operations teams to safeguard high Inventory Record Accuracy (IRA) and resolve root causes of physical-to-virtual discrepancies.
• RFP & Network Procurement Support: Act as the technical operations specialist during logistics tender and RFP processes. Evaluate vendor operational capabilities, validate proposed process designs and labor models, and ensure operational readiness aligns with On’s long-term standards.
• Channel Operations Excellence & Scalability Programs: Serve as the DC operational SME for omni-channel fulfillment nuances:
• Retail Scalability: Define and refine DC standard processes supporting retail store replenishment, delivery window adherence, and floor-ready visual merchandising requirements.
• B2B & Specialty Run “Care” Program: Standardize Value-Added Services (VAS) and high-touch handling procedures for strategic wholesale accounts and specialty running retail partners, mitigating compliance chargebacks.
• Continuous Improvement (CI) & Business Cases: Drive Lean frameworks (Kaizen, 5S, DMAIC/Root Cause Problem Solving) across the global DC footprint. Quantify operational bottlenecks, translate opportunities into rigorous business cases (ROI, capacity uplift, OPEX/CAPEX justifications), and prioritize initiatives that unlock efficiency and throughput.

Your Profile

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience: 5–8 years of hands-on experience in warehouse operations, logistics process engineering, or operational excellence within multi-node distribution networks (preferably in footwear, apparel, sporting goods, or high-velocity consumer goods).
• Process & Standard Work Mastery: Proven track record in designing, documenting, and governing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and operational audits in outsourced (3PL-managed) multi-channel environments.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: Solid foundation in Lean Six Sigma methodologies (Green Belt or equivalent practical experience in Kaizen, 5S, and structured problem-solving tools).
• Inventory & Quality Acumen: In-depth knowledge of warehouse inventory control methodologies, cycle counting programs, reconciliation logic, and quality assurance workflows.
• Omni-Channel Understanding: Strong understanding of end-to-end warehouse flows across B2B wholesale compliance, retail store distribution, and high-velocity DTC e-Commerce picking and packing.
• Analytical & Technical Competence: Data-driven problem solver skilled in warehouse analytics, productivity modeling (UPH, cost-to-serve), and familiar with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and ERP environments (e.g., Microsoft Dynamics 365).
• Autonomy & Collaboration: Ability to navigate ambiguity, drive complex topics independently with high accountability (Grade 5 level), and effectively influence cross-functional partners (Regional Ops, Implementation, Tech, Commercial leads).
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; adept at translating complex warehouse operational challenges into clear, actionable frameworks.

Your Team

Our Global Distribution & Logistics team is the backbone of On's Supply Chain on a clear mission to build the most advanced fulfillment network in the industry. We are a data-driven, action-oriented group that thrives on collaboration and challenges the status quo. We work across continents and functions, partnering with the best 3PLs in the world to deliver excellence and build a resilient, innovative, and world-class supply chain.