Director of Distribution

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Burlington (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Fait Distribution is a family-owned wholesale contact lens distributor seeking a Distribution Center leader to shape strategy and drive performance across safety, service, and cost. You will partner with the COO to set priorities and oversee a robust operating system while coaching a team of managers and leads.

You will guide capacity planning, automation initiatives, and customer implementations, ensuring alignment with business objectives and financial targets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, Engineering, or related discipline.
• 10+ years of progressive distribution, warehousing, logistics, or supply chain leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading high-volume distribution operations or complexity.
• Strong financial acumen with experience using P&L, labor, cost-per-unit, service, and productivity data.
• Proven ability to lead through change, build accountable leadership teams, and develop successors.
• Strong knowledge of safety, quality, inventory control, transportation, customer service, labor planning, and continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication, executive presence, judgment, integrity, and ability to make timely decisions under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the COO to set the Distribution Center operating strategy, annual priorities, capacity plans, and performance expectations.
• Provide overall leadership and governance across the Distribution Center, ensuring the General Manager and functional leaders are aligned to business objectives.
• Establish the operating management system, including KPI definitions, review cadence, accountability routines, escalation paths, and standard work.
• Coach and develop the General Manager along with supporting the Operations Managers and Team Leads; ensure leadership depth and succession plans are in place for critical roles.
• Oversee operating performance across safety, service, quality, productivity, labor, inventory, transportation, maintenance, and cost.
• Partner with Finance and COO on P&L performance, annual operating plans, labor strategy, capital planning, and long-range capacity requirements.
• Lead strategic growth readiness, including capacity expansion, automation strategy, network changes, customer implementations, and major operating initiatives.
• Ensure customer commitments and service expectations are translated into reliable operating capabilities.
• Champion a culture of ownership, accountability, continuous improvement, and respect for Associates.
• Protect company assets, ensuring all equipment is used and maintained properly. Maintains awareness of cost-saving initiatives and process improvements.
• Adheres to all security and safety rules and regulations to ensure a safe environment for all Associates.
• Assists in any task requested by either the direct Manager or any person in Management.
• Maintain a highly efficient work environment.
• Work as a team within all functional work areas.

Skills

Leadership experience

Financial acumen

Strategic planning

Team development

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, Engineering

Job description

Fait Distribution is a family-owned and operated wholesale contact lens distributor and buying group. We pride ourselves in projecting a professional image to our customers that is both confident and enthusiastic. Our commitment to exceeding customer expectations and creating long lasting relationships is driven by our dedicated Associates. Being part of a family-owned company like Fait Distribution is something special. We’re a close-knit company where Associates are valued and truly drive and make an impact on our success. There are always exciting and new opportunities for you to advance your career and grow within our company. At Fait Distribution you will find a supportive and fast-paced environment with a fun work culture. We trust you will find employment here challenging, yet highly rewarding.

Job Description

Responsibilities: How this position supports the vision

• Partner with the COO to set the Distribution Center operating strategy, annual priorities, capacity plans, and performance expectations.
• Provide overall leadership and governance across the Distribution Center, ensuring the General Manager and functional leaders are aligned to business objectives.
• Establish the operating management system, including KPI definitions, review cadence, accountability routines, escalation paths, and standard work.
• Coach and develop the General Manager along with supporting the Operations Managers and Team Leads; ensure leadership depth and succession plans are in place for critical roles.
• Oversee operating performance across safety, service, quality, productivity, labor, inventory, transportation, maintenance, and cost.
• Partner with Finance and COO on P&L performance, annual operating plans, labor strategy, capital planning, and long-range capacity requirements.
• Lead strategic growth readiness, including capacity expansion, automation strategy, network changes, customer implementations, and major operating initiatives.
• Ensure customer commitments and service expectations are translated into reliable operating capabilities.
• Champion a culture of ownership, accountability, continuous improvement, and respect for Associates.
• Protect company assets, ensuring all equipment is used and maintained properly. Maintains awareness of cost-saving initiatives and process improvements.
• Adheres to all security and safety rules and regulations to ensure a safe environment for all Associates.
• Assists in any task requested by either the direct Manager or any person in Management.
• Maintain a highly efficient work environment.
• Work as a team within all functional work areas.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, Engineering, or a related discipline preferred; equivalent progressive distribution leadership experience may substitute.
• 10+ years of progressive distribution, warehousing, logistics, or supply chain leadership experience, including multifunctional operations leadership.
• Demonstrated experience leading high-volume distribution operations or experience with comparable complexity preferred.
• Strong financial acumen with experience using P&L, labor, cost-per-unit, service, and productivity data to drive decisions.
• Proven ability to lead through change, build accountable leadership teams, and develop successors.
• Strong knowledge of safety, quality, inventory control, transportation, customer service, labor planning, and continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication, executive presence, judgment, integrity, and ability to make timely decisions under pressure.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.