Seasonal Supply Chain Operations Manager

Office Depot / ODP; Carol Stream (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Office Depot is seeking a Supply Chain Operations Manager to direct daily distribution and transportation activities, including receiving, order fulfillment, shipping, and third-party carrier coordination. This role owns P&L for the assigned area, oversees staffing, cost control, safety, and KPIs, and partners with site and regional leaders to improve productivity and customer experience.

You will build a high-performing team, hire and develop associates, and drive Lean initiatives to achieve

Qualifications

• 3+ years in a leadership role within distribution, transportation or operations.
• Strong leadership and communication with cross-functional influence.
• Experience driving KPI-based continuous improvement and Lean initiatives.
• Knowledge of warehouse and transportation operations best practices.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage receipt, storage, order fulfillment, loading, and transport activities with third-party providers.
• Forecast labor and capacity to align with volume and resources.
• Monitor performance data to drive continuous improvement in productivity, quality and cost.
• Build relationships with internal stakeholders, customers, and carriers; lead leadership meetings and audits.
• Recruit, hire, and develop distribution/transport teams; conduct reviews and coaching.
• Lead safety, compliance, and workplace standards while managing P&Ls and budget performance.
• Implement Lean principles to streamline processes and eliminate waste; drive cross-functional problem solving.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Decision making

Lean / process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office (Outlook & Teams)

Job description

The Supply Chain Operations Manager is a key leader responsible for directing, optimizing, and executing daily distribution and/or transportation activities within assigned market areas. This includes operational oversight of one or more functions such as receiving, order fulfillment, shipping/loadout, and/or transportation.

The role owns P&L performance for the assigned area, with accountability for staffing, cost control, safety, service, and the achievement of key performance indicators (KPIs). The Operations Manager ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements and company policies while maintaining a strong culture of safety.

This position partners closely with site and regional leadership to design, refine, and implement work processes that improve productivity, quality, and overall efficiency. As a member of the leadership team, the Operations Manager is constantly looking for opportunities to enhance operations and deliver excellent experience for both internal and external customers.

The Operations Manager builds and sustains a cohesive, high-performing team by hiring, engaging, and developing associates, providing clear direction and feedback, and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement to achieve operational excellence.

Primary Responsibilities:

Operational Leadership & Performance:

• Plan and manage efficient receipt, storage, order fulfillment, loading, and/or transportation activities- including third-party providers-while maintaining a strong focus on KPIs, quality, service, and cost.
• Utilize forecasting tools and methodologies to align labor, capacity, and resources with current and anticipated volume.
• Monitor, analyze, and act on operational performance data (productivity, quality, utilization) to drive continuous improvement.

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, external customers, and third-party providers/carriers.
• Participate in leadership meetings, customer visits, and third-party audits; proactively identify business opportunities and process improvements that enhance service and support growth.

People Leadership & Development:

• Recruit, hire, train, and develop distribution and/or transportation team members; ensure appropriate staffing and coverage to meet business needs.
• Provide day-to-day leadership and motivation for a team of approximately 20-50 coworkers, fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and collaboration.
• Conduct performance reviews, ongoing coaching conversations, and salary recommendations.
• Promote open, transparent communication and ensure associates understand goals, expectations, and priorities.

Safety, Compliance & Workplace Standards:

• Administer training, qualification, and safety programs to ensure regulatory and company policy compliance.
• Communicate and enforce policies, procedures, and standard work within assigned areas.
• Ensure the physical condition of the facility and work areas supports a clean, safe, and healthy working environment.

Financial Management & Continuous Improvement:

• Own and manage multi-departmental P&Ls with accountability for budget performance, cost control, and operational efficiency.
• Identify and implement initiatives that reduce cost-to-serve while maintaining or improving service levels.
• Implement Lean principles and methodologies to streamline processes, eliminate waste, and improve safety, quality, and productivity.
• Lead cross-functional teams in problem-solving and process-improvement initiatives; standardize best practices across the operation.

Other Responsibilities:

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support business needs and organizational objectives.

Education and Experience:

• Level of Formal Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• Area of Study: Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Distribution Management preferred.
• Minimum Years of Experience: 3
• Type of Experience: Leadership role in Distribution, Transportation, and/or Operations preferred
• Technical Competencies & Information Systems: Microsoft Office to include Outlook and Teams

Skills & Abilities:

• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence and align cross-functional teams
• Deep knowledge of warehouse and/or transportation operations, procedures, and best practices
• Proven, sound decision-making skills in a fast-paced, metrics-driven environment
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and motivate employees to achieve operational, safety, and service goals

Additional Language Skills:

• English. Spanish is a plus.

Personal Attributes & Other/Preferred:

• Self-motivated, proactive, and accountable
• Collaborative team player who builds strong relationships across functions and levels
• Able to set clear expectations, monitor progress, and hold self and others accountable for results
• Effective at leading through change and providing timely, candid coaching an