Distribution Center Operations Manager

Nike; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Nike is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to help launch and stabilize the Wolf Creek Distribution Center in Atlanta, GA. You will partner with the 3PL provider to translate designs into safe, scalable daily operations.

You will lead through ambiguity, build trust across Nike and partners, and drive safety, service, quality, productivity, and financial performance in a 24/7 four-shift model.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.
• Minimum of 5 years of operations-management experience in a distribution or manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting startup, facility transition, major implementation, or operational transformation.
• 3PL experience working in, or leading through, a partner model to execute supply-chain business.

Responsibilities

• Translate detailed designs into executable operating processes with the 3PL partner.
• Participate in process-design reviews and validate labor, throughput, capacity, constraints, and service expectations.
• Develop and validate Job Instruction Sheets, standard work, procedures, escalation paths, and management routines.
• Identify safety, quality, service, productivity, and change-management risks before launch and drive mitigation.
• Coordinate staffing readiness, training validation, floor readiness, cutover planning, and launch criteria.
• Provide leadership during go-live and stabilize operations through disciplined problem solving.
• Help establish a scalable four-shift model with Nike-3PL alignment.
• Advise and improve processes for receiving, storage, processing, and shipping to optimize results.
• Lead cross-functional projects using structured project-management, Lean, and problem-solving methods.
• Develop and manage departmental plans and budgets, monitor performance to plan, and take action to hit targets.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Lean methodology

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Location- Wolf Creek Distribution Center | Atlanta GA

Shift-Multiple Shifts Available

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

We are looking for an experienced, hands‑on Operations Manager to help launch and stabilize the Wolf Creek Distribution Center, a brownfield 3PL operation. You will serve as a key Nike operational leader and partner closely with the 3PL management team to convert facility and process designs into safe, executable, and sustainable daily operations.

You will bring a servant‑leadership mindset, strong operational judgment, and the ability to lead through ambiguity and change. You will build trust across Nike, the 3PL provider, and cross‑functional partners while creating a positive, inclusive, and accountable culture focused on safety, service, quality, productivity, and financial performance.

Leadership Scope

This role is part of the Wolf Creek DC leadership team and is expected to provide operational coverage aligned with a 24/7, four‑shift model. The Operations Manager will lead through a combination of direct operational ownership, cross‑functional influence, and partnership with the 3PL provider. Specific workstream, shift, and people‑leadership assignments will be based on the final site operating model.

WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON:

Startup Design and Operational Readiness

• Partner with the 3PL provider, engineering, systems, facilities, transportation, inventory, and other stakeholders to translate detailed designs into executable operating processes.
• Participate in process‑design reviews and validate operational requirements, labor assumptions, throughput, capacity, constraints, and service expectations.
• Develop and validate Job Instruction Sheets (JIS), standard work, operating procedures, escalation paths, and management routines across receiving, storage, picking, packing, and shipping.
• Identify safety, quality, service, productivity, and change‑management risks before launch, then drive mitigation plans to closure.
• Coordinate operational readiness activities, including staffing readiness, training validation, floor readiness, cutover planning, contingency planning, and launch criteria.
• Provide visible leadership during go‑live, actively manage operational issues and escalations, and support rapid stabilization through disciplined problem solving and daily performance management.
• Help establish a scalable four‑shift operating model and consistent Nike‑to‑3PL alignment across a 24/7 operation.

Operational Performance and Continuous Improvement

• Advise and improve business processes that receive, store, process, and ship product accurately and on time while optimizing operational results.
• Use data to set SMART goals, analyze performance, identify root causes, and make decisions that improve safety, service, quality, productivity, cost, and customer experience.
• Lead multiple cross‑functional projects using structured project‑management, Lean, and problem‑solving methods.
• Simplify work, reduce errors, improve flexibility, and engage employees and partners at all levels in continuous improvement.
• Develop and manage departmental plans and budgets, monitor performance to plan, and take action to achieve annual operating targets.

WHO YOU WILL WORK :

3PL Partnership and Governance

• Co‑lead day‑to‑day operational execution with the 3PL management team while maintaining clear accountability for contractual, service, quality, safety, and financial expectations.
• Define and reinforce roles, decision rights, communication routines, KPI reviews, escalation protocols, and issue‑resolution processes between Nike and the 3PL provider.
• Assess provider performance using objective data, conduct constructive business reviews, and drive corrective actions and continuous improvement where needed.
• Ensure the 3PL management team provides consistent, high‑quality leadership of associates across shifts.

Leadership and Culture

• Build a winning, inclusive, and collaborative culture grounded in trust, accountability, respect, and shared ownership with the 3PL partner.
• Lead through influence in a partner‑based model, remove obstacles, clarify priorities, and empower teams to deliver consumer‑and customer‑focused results.
• Develop strong interdependent relationships across operations, systems, engineering, facilities, transportation, inventory, finance, HR, and other support functions.
• Contribute to the broader DC leadership team by shaping site goals, sharing feedback, supporting cross‑functional priorities, and helping other areas as needed.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Bachelor's degree or a combination of relevant education, experience, and training.
• Minimum of 5 years of operations‑management experience in a distribution or manufacturing environment. Two additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Experience supporting startup, facility transition, major implementation, or operational transformation.
• 3PL experience working in, or leading through, a partner model to execute supply‑chain business n