Distribution Center Leader: Strategy, Growth & Operations

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 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.