AVP, Warehouse Operations

Sotheby's Institute of Art; New York (NY); On-site; USD 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Sotheby’s Institute of Art is seeking an AVP, Gantry Warehouse Operations in New York to lead the end-to-end operation of a major gallery support hub. The role drives safe, efficient handling, storage and release of property across the Gantry site, while coordinating with multiple teams to optimize space, labor and flow.

The ideal candidate will have 7–10 years of leadership in complex warehouse operations, strong people management skills, and a proven ability to deliver continuous improvement

Qualifications

• 7–10 years leading warehouse, cross-dock or complex operations.
• Proven people leader with experience managing supervisors and frontline teams.
• Strong understanding of warehouse flow, space utilization and safety.
• Ability to improve operations while maintaining high service levels in a fast-paced environment.
• Cross-functional collaboration across Logistics, Photography, Facilities, Security, Risk and Client Experience.

Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day operation and overall condition of Gantry, including flow, labor deployment and space utilization.
• Establish building-wide operating priorities and resolve congestion and space conflicts.
• Own day-to-day space utilization, staging, storage allocation and capacity execution.
• Enforce standards for handling high-value and fragile property; ensure safety and discipline.
• Lead labour planning, coaching, performance management and training of teams.
• Coordinate property flow with Receiving, Central Planning & Logistics, Photography and other teams.
• Provide operational feedback for future planning and capital projects.
• Collaborate with Facilities, Security and Risk Management on site controls.
• Maintain coordination with Breuer operations for shuttle and exhibition-related movement.

Skills

Warehouse leadership

Cross-dock operations

People management

Operational safety

Space utilization

Property protection

Tools

CCTV systems

Job description

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s promotes access and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions, private sales and retail. Our deep expertise across 70 selling categories is supported by a leading technology platform and a global network of specialists spanning 40 countries. Selling categories include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate through RM Sotheby’s and Concierge. Sotheby’s Financial Services is a leading art lender and provides capital solutions for collectors around the world, having originated more than $12 billion in loans since its inception. Sotheby’s new global headquarters is now open at the iconic Breuer building at 945 Madison Avenue in New York City.

THE ROLE

The AVP, Gantry Warehouse Operations is responsible for the overall operation of Gantry and for ensuring the safe, efficient and timely handling, movement, storage and release of property across the site. The role provides visible day-to-day leadership to the warehouse operation, setting priorities across receiving, storage, shuttle and cross-dock activity, packing, client collection and outbound movement, while coordinating property flow and shared handling resources across the building.

As Gantry has grown in volume and complexity, it has become a critical operating hub supporting the broader New York property lifecycle, including increasingly frequent movement between Gantry and the Breuer. The AVP will ensure the site operates as one coordinated end-to-end warehouse, with clear priorities, effective use of space and labor, strong property-protection standards and consistent operating discipline.

The role requires a strong combination of warehouse and logistics leadership, people management and operational judgment. The AVP will lead and develop the onsite management and handling teams, proactively resolve operational issues, maximize warehouse capacity and work closely with Central Planning & Logistics, Photography, Exhibitions, Client Experience, Seller Operations, Facilities, Security and Risk Management to ensure smooth execution across the property lifecycle.

The AVP will also lead the implementation and ongoing governance of the Gantry space and workflow redesign, ensuring improvements to layout, staging, storage, safety and property flow are successfully embedded into the day-to-day operation.

Responsibilities

• Own the day-to-day operation and overall condition of Gantry, including property flow, labor deployment, space utilization, safety, housekeeping and operating performance.
• Establish building-wide operating priorities and resolve congestion, space conflicts and competing demands across functional areas.
• Own day-to-day space utilization, staging, storage allocation and warehouse capacity execution.
• Establish and enforce consistent standards for property handling, high-value and fragile property, staging, storage, cart movement and end-of-shift reset.
• Strengthen employee management through labor planning, coaching, performance management, training and clearer supervisor routines.
• Work closely with Receiving, Central Planning & Logistics, Photography and other functional teams operating within Gantry to coordinate property flow, shared labor, staging and site priorities while maintaining clear functional ownership.
• Execute operational plans developed in partnership with Warehouse Planning & Logistics, providing operational feedback, resource requirements and execution updates to support future planning and readiness activities in particular Marquee and property movement related to Capital Projects.
• Partner with Photography to ensure property moves efficiently through the studios while maintaining clear ownership of shared space, staging and handling resources.
• Partner with Facilities, Security and Risk Management on floor condition, CCTV coverage, equipment, emergency access and other site controls.
• Review damage, safety and operational trends and ensure corrective actions are implemented, communicated and sustained.
• Support clear ownership between Operations and Facilities for site services, equipment and building-related responsibilities.
• Maintain close coordination with Breuer operations to support efficient shuttle, cross-dock and exhibition-related property movement.

Ideal Experience & Competencies

• 7-10 year experience leading warehouse, cross-dock or other complex physical operations; experience with art, luxury goods or other high-value and fragile property strongly preferred.
• Proven people leader with experience managing supervisors, frontline teams and multiple operating workstreams.
• Strong understanding of warehouse flow, space utilization, staging, storage, labor deployment and operational safety.
• Demonstrated ability to improve operations while maintaining service levels in a high-volume, fast-moving environment.
• Strong judgment and ability to prioritize competing demands, resolve operational issues and make decisions quickly.
• Effective cross-functional leader able to work across Logistics, Photography, Facilities, Security, Risk, Client Experience and other business teams.
• Strong focus on property protection, employee safety, operating discipline and continuous improvement.
• Visible, hands-on leadership style with a willingness to spend significant time on the floor and engage directly with teams.

The proposed base salary for this position ranges from $90,000-120,000. In addition to base salary successful candidates are eligible to receive a discretionary bonus, as well as a competitive benefits package. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, and, where applicable, licensure or certifications obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered.

The Company is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions and personnel actions at the Company are administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, national origin, age, disability, genetic predisposition, natural hair or hairstyle, reproductive health, partnership status, sexual orientation or alienage or citizenship status, transgender status, domestic violence victim status, military or veteran status, or status in any group protected by applicable federal, state or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.