Senior Manager, Sorting and Distribution - BookOps

New York Public Library; New York (NY); On-site; USD 108,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York Public Library's BookOps division seeks a Senior Manager of Sorting and Distribution to oversee daily logistics, sorting, and delivery across the system, and to lead multi-department teams toward reliable service.

Reporting to senior leadership, you will develop scalable plans, set goals, manage resources, and drive process improvements while maintaining critical infrastructure like the automated sorter and delivery fleet.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required.
• 3-5 years of management/supervisory experience and 7-10 years related experience.
• Strong strategic planning, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee sorting and distribution operations and multi-department teams.
• Set measurable goals and align with library strategy and service goals.
• Manage daily movement of items and maintain critical logistics infrastructure.

Skills

Strategic Planning

People skills

Leadership

Talent recruitment

Relationship building

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Senior Manager, Sorting and Distribution - BookOps

Application Deadline: 30 September 2026

Department: BookOps

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Library Services Center

Reporting To: Javier Velez

Compensation: $108,000 - $115,000 / year

Description

Overview

BookOps is the shared library services collaboration of New York Public Library (NYPL) and Brooklyn Public Library (BPL). BookOps coordinates the selection, acquisition, cataloging, processing, sorting and distribution of library materials for its member libraries.

The Senior Manager of Sorting and Distribution leads the daily operations and strategic planning for BookOps logistics, overseeing multi-departmental teams across sorting, distribution, mailroom operations, and special projects. Working closely with senior leadership and program managers, this role develops scalable operational plans, sets clear team goals, and implements policies to ensure consistent, reliable service across the system. The Senior Manager fosters an engaged, high-performing team environment, leveraging data-driven metrics and logistics best practices to resolve operational challenges, manage resource allocation, and strengthen long-term service resilience. Key responsibilities include sustaining critical infrastructure - such as the automated sorter and delivery fleet - acting as the primary liaison for ReCAP delivery services and major system-wide initiatives.

Some expectations for this role are that within:

1 month

• Develop an understanding of the logistics workflow and its connection to the global environment
• Gather data that defines the operation and gain familiarity with the Library's strategic priorities

3 months

• Establish relationships with their direct reports and meet with the broader teams
• Assess team morale and begin formulating a plan for success
• Set meaningful and achievable goals for the managers

6 months and beyond

• Have a solid understanding of team efficiencies and how they align with the Library's strategic priorities
• Develop a comprehensive operational plan that supports NYPL's strategic goals, with a focus on enhancing efficiency and service quality

Responsibilities

• Provides direct leadership and oversight to key supervisory roles, including the Manager of Distribution & Delivery Operations, Daytime Logistics Operations Supervisor, Supervisor of Mailroom and Fleet Maintenance, and the Senior Collection Processing Associate for special projects
• Develops clear, measurable goals for each team that align with departmental objectives and the library’s overarching strategy with a focus on service excellence and operational efficiency
• Oversees the daily movement of over 30,000 items - including high-demand holds, new acquisitions, research materials, mail, and other essential resources - within a 24-hour logistics cycle, ensuring smooth and efficient operations
• Leads logistics planning and execution for major special projects, such as system wide summer reading initiatives and advocacy campaigns
• Ensures optimal functionality and reliability of critical logistics infrastructure, including the automated sorter and delivery fleet, to support consistent and uninterrupted service
• Acts as the primary liaison for ReCAP services, coordinating closely with NYPL research centers to ensure seamless service and effective resource management
• Directly oversee all ReCAP delivery operations for NYPL research centers
• Performs other related duties as required

Required Education, Experience & Skills

Required Education & Certifications

• A bachelor's degree and/or relevant work experience are required to perform the principal responsibilities successfully

Required Experience

• 3-5 years of management/supervisory experience
• 7-10 years of related experience

Required Skills

• Strong Strategic Planning skills
• Strong people skills with the ability to influence and negotiate successfully
• Strong leadership skills, specifically in the areas of performance management, motivation, and team building
• Ability to drive and recruit talent with succession planning in mind
• Must have the skills to deepen existing relationships with internal leaders and partners
• Demonstrated problem-solving and analytical capabilities and ability to perform continuous process improvement

Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly manages 4 reports overseeing a 45+ team operating within a unionized environment.
• Provides direct oversight and strategic leadership for senior logistics staff and supervisory teams.
• Oversees performance management, recruitment, and succession planning to build a strong, sustainable leadership pipeline.

More...

Core Values

All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:

• Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
• Be Resourceful in solving problems
• Be Curious in all aspects of your work
• Be Welcoming and Inclusive

Work Environment

• Warehouse

Physical Duties

• No

Pre-Placement Physical Required?

No

Union/Non Union

Non-Union

FLSA Status

Exempt

Schedule

• 8am-4pm - Monday through Friday
• 35 hours per week
• Some work outside of normal business hours as determined by business needs

This job description represents the types and levels of responsibilities that will be required of the position and shall not be construed as a declaration of all of the specific duties and responsibilities for the role. Job duties may change if Library priorities change. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description as needed.

The New York Public Library

Salary Statement

At the Library, we believe that pay transparency and pay equity are important to ensuring we source the best candidates and keep the best employees. When making a determination as to the appropriate salary for a candidate, we consider a variety of factors such, including, but not limited to, the position requirements, the skills, prior experience, and educational background required or preferred for the job, the scope and impact of the role within the organization, internal peer equity, and the candidate's specific training, experience, education level, and skills. No single factor is conclusive; the Library reserves the right to consider any and all relevant factors and make a decision consistent with its policies.

Union Salaries are determined by collective bargaining agreement(s).