Operations Manager

Williams-Sonoma Inc.; Olive Branch (MS); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discount

401(k) plan

Paid vacations

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Williams-Sonoma Inc. seeks an Operations Manager to drive a fast‑paced distribution floor, partnering with the GM to deliver safety, quality, and performance improvements.

You will grow frontline talent, optimize labor and workflow, and ensure alignment across functions to meet daily and peak demand. You will apply strong operational judgment in a high‑volume setting, lead cross‑functional teams, and uphold disciplined execution with a focus on continuous improvement of processes and inventory

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 3–5 years of progressive leadership in a large‑scale distribution operation.
• Onsite role with ability to lead teams and drive performance.
• Strong operational judgment in fast‑paced environments.
• Proficiency with WMS systems supporting inventory control.

Responsibilities

• Drive safety, engagement, quality, inventory accuracy, and productivity.
• Own labor, staffing, and workflow to meet daily and peak volume.
• Lead, coach, and develop frontline leaders and teams.
• Ensure disciplined execution with strong handoffs and continuity.
• Collaborate with site leadership to meet business priorities.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Operational judgment

Team development

Decision making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Logistics, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field

Tools

WMS systems

Job description

About Williams‑Sonoma DC

Since it was founded in 1956, Williams‑Sonoma has grown from Chuck Williams’ single store in Sonoma, CA, into one of the largest retailers in the country, with some of the best‑known and most beloved brands in home furnishings, including Williams‑Sonoma, Pottery Barn, and West Elm.

Our Distribution Centers serve as vital connections between factories and our retail, online, and mail‑order customers around the world. The Supply Chain environment is dynamic and fast‑paced, and the network is expanding rapidly. If you have a background in distribution, manufacturing, engineering, transportation, finance, human resources, or home delivery – and are looking for a job with a strong opportunity for gaining new skills and for advancement – our Supply Chain Organization could be just the place for you.

Supply Chain Overview

• Over 4,000 full‑time associates across the Supply Chain
• 14.5 million square feet of small parcel, personalization, furniture, and manufacturing space in the domestic U.S. 
  • Large package/furniture distribution centers located in Southern California, Northern California, Texas, Georgia, and New Jersey, totaling 9.2 million square feet, plus another 1.2 million square feet of standalone final‑mile furniture hubs.
  • Small package e‑commerce distribution centers located in Mississippi and Arizona, totaling 3.2 million square feet, consisting of over 1,000 full‑time associates and 1,500 seasonal/temporary associates in Mississippi.
  • Sutter Street manufacturing upholstery factories located in North Carolina and Mississippi, totaling over 1,400 full‑time employees, producing approximately $900 million to $1 billion in sales of upholstered furniture.
• Transportation Department for ocean, air, trucking, and rail, consisting of over 30 transportation professionals located in Memphis, TN.
• 700 associates in Sourcing offices in 10 countries in Asia and Europe, including China, Vietnam, Singapore, India, Italy, and Turkey.

Position Overview

We are looking for an Operations Manager who thrives in a fast‑moving distribution environment and knows how to turn priorities into disciplined execution. Working closely with the General Manager and/or Assistant General Manager, this leader drives performance across the floor, develops front‑line talent, and helps the operation respond effectively to changing priorities, peak demand, and daily business needs.

• The Operations Manager will be expected to drive results across safety, associate engagement, quality of service, inventory accuracy, and productivity while maintaining strong execution and team alignment in a high‑volume environment.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and Develop Strong Teams

• Build and lead high‑performing teams by setting clear expectations, coaching consistently, and reinforcing accountability at every level.
• Create a culture of urgency, ownership, discipline, and pride in execution.
• Develop team leads and emerging talent to strengthen the leadership bench and support long‑term site performance.

Drive Daily Execution

• Own key areas of the operation and ensure labor, staffing, and workflow are aligned to meet daily and peak volume demands.
• Translate operational priorities into action and maintain strong execution throughout the shift.
• Monitor productivity, workflow, and service performance, taking immediate action to address gaps and remove obstacles.
• Provide strong shift handoffs and recaps, operational continuity, and consistent execution across functions.

Deliver Operational Excellence

• Help run a fast, efficient distribution operation with strong control across inbound, outbound, inventory, and dock activity.
• Use operational data, WMS systems, and real‑time observations to make sound decisions and improve performance.
• Lead with discipline around process adherence, inventory accuracy, and throughput.
• Think critically in a live operational environment and respond quickly to shifting priorities and challenges.

Build a Safe, Disciplined Operation

• Lead from the front on safety, compliance, and operational standards.
• Reinforce a culture where safe behaviors, quality execution, and operational discipline are non‑negotiable.
• Partner with site leadership to ensure compliance with OSHA standards and company expectations.
• Hold teams accountable for maintaining a clean, organized, and well‑run operation.

Improve Business

• Challenge the status quo, identify opportunities for improvement, and drive measurable gains in productivity, quality, and service.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen execution and improve scalability.
• Solve problems with a practical, progressive mindset by identifying root causes and implementing sustainable solutions.
• Help the operation scale up or down quickly as business conditions, labor needs, and seasonal demand shift.

Partner for Results

• Work closely with the Assistant General Manager and site leadership team to execute business priorities and drive performance.
• Partner cross‑functionally with internal teams and external providers to ensure alignment and strong execution.
• Support a one‑team mindset that keeps the operation focused on positive service, quality, and productivity results.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required, with 3‑5 years of progressive distribution leadership experience in a large‑scale operation.
• This is an onsite role.
• Demonstrated success leading people and performance in a fast‑paced, high‑volume distribution, logistics, or fulfillment environment.
• Strong ability to lead teams, set direction, and drive accountability.
• Demonstrated operational judgment and ability to make effective real‑time decisions in a changing environment.
• Proficiency in WMS systems and understanding of how they support inventory control, workflow, and accuracy.
• Demonstrated success managing third‑party providers across warehouse operations, value‑added services, and transportation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Logistics, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related field is preferred.
• Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement experience.
• Exposure to high‑volume distribution, big box, furniture, or omnichannel operations.
• Experience working with or implementing automation or advanced operational systems.
• Strong understanding of OSHA and workplace safety standards.
• Experience supporting multi‑shift operations and developing front‑line leaders.

Physical Requirements

• Able to bend, reach, squat, climb stairs/ladders, stand, and walk throughout the facility for extended periods.
• Able to move, lift, or carry heavy objects or materials up to 50‑100 pounds.

Benefits

• Generous discount on all Williams‑Sonoma, Inc. brand products.
• 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities.
• Paid vacations, Employee Assistance Programs, Time Off to Volunteer, Matching Gifts Community Service Program, and Holidays (in some locations).
• Health, dental, and vision insurance, including same‑sex domestic partner benefits, Legal and Identity Protection Plans, and Pet Insurance.
• For more information on our benefits offerings, please visit MyWSIBenefits.com.
• To learn more about our Supply Chain culture and regional associate events, please visit https://shorturl.at/R3OAX (Login credentials may be required).

EOE