Director, DC Operations – Greenfield Automation Center

American Eagle Outfitters Inc.; Salisbury (NC); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Associate Discount

Casual Dress Code

Company Events

Job summary

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (AEO) is seeking a Director – DC Operations for a new automated Omni-Channel Distribution Center in Salisbury, NC. You’ll oversee 4 shifts, up to 175 associates, and own the site startup, P&L and ongoing performance.

This startup role requires a visible leader who builds teams, drives automation, hits SLA and cost targets, and partners with HR, IT and maintenance to deliver a world-class fulfillment operation.

Qualifications

• 10–15 years of progressive leadership in large-scale retail, DTC or Omni-Channel distribution centers, including startup or greenfield facility launch experience.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing complex operations.
• Proven ability to drive improvement in SLA, cost, safety and quality.

Responsibilities

• Direct the site startup phase, overseeing facility setup, installation and integration of automated systems and local operational strategy.
• Recruit, hire and onboard a cohesive leadership team and foundational staff to drive site readiness.
• Make critical localized decisions on site policies, workflows and vendor partnerships to ensure a seamless launch.
• Serve as the visible site leader, prioritizing daily frontline engagement to establish retention, morale and performance.
• Mentor leadership team, delegating authority to empower managers and solve challenges.
• Communicate clear site strategy, set shift priorities and cultivate an Employer of Choice culture across shifts.
• Lead operations across a highly automated facility to hit speed and efficiency goals post-launch.
• Support staffing, workflow execution and support function alignment to meet SLA and CPU targets.
• Maintain a safe, secure and respectful working environment across the site.
• Manage the site P&L and budget to achieve cost targets and maximize ROI.
• Develop long-term labor models and continuous improvement strategies with partners.

Skills

Leadership

Team Management

Strategic Planning

Financial Acumen

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain/Business/Engineering

Job description

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (AEO) is seeking a Director – DC Operations for a new automated Omni-Channel Distribution Center in Salisbury, NC. You’ll oversee 4 shifts, up to 175 associates, and own the site startup, P&L and ongoing performance.

This startup role requires a visible leader who builds teams, drives automation, hits SLA and cost targets, and partners with HR, IT and maintenance to deliver a world-class fulfillment operation.