Director Inbound Distribution

generac; Waukesha (WI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Generac seeks a strategic Director of Distribution to lead NA distribution, warehousing, and 3PL coordination, driving best-in-class fulfillment across multiple sites. The role focuses on optimizing cost, service levels, and performance through WMS, automation, and data-driven improvements.

The leader will guide a dispersed team, promote safety and accountability, and partner with manufacturing and logistics to sustain growth and transformation in a dynamic energy solutions business.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field.
• 10 years in distribution network strategy, operations excellence, 3PL/4PL management, and distribution tech.
• 5 years of leadership across a global multi-site distribution network.

Responsibilities

• Lead and optimize global finished goods and raw materials warehouse footprint.
• Improve service and total cost of ownership across business groups and geographies.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, supply, and logistics leaders to meet short- and long-term objectives.
• Develop and continuously improve warehouse policies, processes, and technologies.

Skills

Leadership

Change management

Strategic planning

Influence across matrix

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain

MBA or advanced degree (preferred)

Tools

WMS

SAP/Oracle ERP

TMS

RFID/Automation tech

Job description

We believe power is a promise - a shared commitment to be there for others when it matters most.

For more than 65 years, we've turned big ideas into solutions that help protect homes, strengthen businesses and build a more resilient, efficient, sustainable energy future.

Ready to Power a Smarter World with us?

Generac is seeking a strategic and results-driven Director of Distribution to lead our North American distribution network and drive best-in-class fulfillment operations across a complex, multi-site environment. This high-impact leadership role is responsible for overseeing warehousing, distribution, transportation coordination, and third-party logistics partners to ensure the efficient, cost-effective, and timely delivery of products to customers.

The Director of Distribution will provide strategic direction for all distribution center operations, championing continuous improvement initiatives that enhance productivity, optimize costs, improve service levels, and strengthen operational performance. This leader will play a critical role in advancing Generac's supply chain capabilities through the implementation of innovative technologies, including warehouse management systems (WMS), automation solutions, RFID, and material handling technologies. Leading a geographically dispersed leadership team across North America, the Director will build a culture of operational excellence, safety, accountability, and customer focus while supporting Generac's continued growth and transformation.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Change manage, and execute optimization of Generac’s global, make-to-stock finished goods and raw materials warehouse footprint.

• Optimize service and total cost of ownership across multiple business groups, product lines and geographies.

• Collaborate with Manufacturing, supply, and logistics leaders across strategic business groups to assess needs, identify price and consumption opportunities, and develop processes to achieve short-term and long-term business objectives

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve warehouse policies, processes, and technologies to achieve people, quality, velocity, productivity, and cash objectives

Identify and implement standardized metrics, tools, and processes to continuously improve:

transportation sourcing and supplier performance

transportation execution performance

distribution execution performance

• Designs and directs the work of the functional area. Selects, coaches and develops the team, setting objectives that align with company strategy to inspire and motivate the team.

• Manages organizational talent through performance management, succession planning and development.

• Designs and directs processes by which team and individual performance are recognized, feedback is consistently delivered, and performance is systematically improved.

• Oversee, monitor, coach and problem solve to deliver improvements in Generac’s distribution costs, cash, lead-time, and service with our warehouse operator base (internal and outsourced/3PL)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, or related field OR equivalent experience

• 10 years of distribution experience in distribution footprint/network strategy, distribution operations excellence, 3PL/4PL management, and distribution and transportation technologies (WMS, TMS, FBAP)

• 5 years’ leadership experience managing teams across a global multi-site distribution network

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s Degree in Engineering, Business or Supply Chain

• Demonstrated implementation experience in and results from Lean principles and methods

• Lean, Operations or Supply Chain Certifications

• Experience designing and delivering training

• Experience implementing automated manufacturing processes and systems

• Experience with software solutions (ERP: SAP/Oracle, WMS)

• Information management experience including analysis of data

• Demonstrated experience in leadership with a diversity of team skills

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Change manage, and execute optimization of Generac’s global, make-to-stock finished goods and raw materials warehouse footprint.
Optimize service and total cost of ownership across multiple business groups, product lines and geographies.
Collaborate with Manufacturing, supply, and logistics leaders across strategic business groups to assess needs, identify price and consumption opportunities, and develop processes to achieve short-term and long-term business objectives
Develop, implement, and continuously improve warehouse policies, processes, and technologies to achieve people, quality, velocity, productivity, and cash objectives

Identify and implement standardized metrics, tools, and processes to continuously improve:
transportation sourcing and supplier performance
transportation execution performance
distribution execution performance
Designs and directs the work of the functional area. Selects, coaches and develops the team, setting objectives that align with company strategy to inspire and motivate the team. Manages organizational talent through performance management, succession planning and development. Designs and directs processes by which team and individual performance are recognized, feedback is consistently delivered, and performance is systematically improved.

Oversee, monitor, coach and problem solve to deliver improvements in Generac’s distribution costs, cash, lead-time, and service with our warehouse operator base (internal and outsourced/3PL)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Strong influence and change management skills with specific experience in a matrix environment with cross-functional stakeholders

• Ability to present information clearly and effectively to a variety of audiences

• Ability to work collaboratively across business units’ hierarchy and functions

• Demonstrated experience working with cross-functional teams with proven abilities to influence others

• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with a wide variety of internal and external customers

• Ability to identify and resolve high complexity process/system problems

• Ability to adjust priorities and manage time wisely in a fast-paced environment

• Strong conflict management and problem-solving skills

• Strong understanding of basic financial practices and budget management

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, with excellent Excel skills

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear; and use hands to manipulate objects or controls. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. On occasion the incumbent may be required to stoop, bend or reach above the shoulders. The employee must occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Specific conditions of this job are typical of frequent and continuous computer-based work requiring periods of sitting; close vision and ability to adjust focus. 30% travel to Generac DC locations.

“We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.”