Sr Manager, Operations Systems

KeHE Distributors, LLC; Naperville (IL); On-site; USD 118,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/Rx

Dental

Vision

FSA/HSA

ESOP

401(k)

Job summary

KeHE Distributors, LLC in Naperville, IL seeks an Operations Systems Senior Manager to lead a team delivering enterprise Warehouse Management, Labor Management, and Distribution Systems across KeHE's distribution network.

You will drive system implementations, production support, and continuous improvement while partnering with DC leadership to standardize processes and deliver measurable gains in service, inventory accuracy, and labor productivity.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of warehouse operations, distribution systems, and WMS.
• Leadership and talent development with succession planning.
• Analytical problem-solving focused on KPI-driven improvement.
• Ability to lead multi-site projects in fast-paced settings.
• Governance, release and change management with standardization.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop Operations Systems leads and analysts.
• Oversee WMS implementations and related testing, readiness, and cutover.
• Partner with Distribution Center leadership to translate ops challenges into tech solutions.
• Monitor KPIs and drive improvements in service, inventory accuracy, and labor productivity.
• Establish governance for enhancements, releases, and production support.

Skills

WMS expertise

People leadership

Process improvement

Analytics & KPIs

Stakeholder engagement

Cross-site leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain

Job description

Why Work for KeHE?

• Full-time
• Pay Range: $118,100.00/Yr. - $173,140.00/Yr.
• Shift Days: , Shift Time:
• Benefits on Day 1
  • Health/Rx
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Flexible and health spending accounts (FSA/HSA)
  • Supplemental life insurance
  • 401(k)
  • Paid time off
  • Paid sick time
  • Short term & long term disability coverage (STD/LTD)
  • Employee stock ownership (ESOP)
  • Holiday pay for company designated holidays

Overview

At KeHE, we’re obsessed with creating solutions, unboxing potential, and serving others – and it all starts with you. As an employee-owned distributor of natural and organic, specialty, and fresh products, we’re committed to making a positive impact and scaling our success together. With a culture that fosters development and opportunity, you’ll be embarking on a career that’s moving forward. When you join KeHE, you’re becoming part of a team that is a force for good.

Primary Responsibilities

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Operations Systems Senior Manager is responsible for leading a team of Operations Systems professionals supporting enterprise Warehouse Management, Labor Management, and Distribution Systems across KeHE's distribution network. This role oversees system implementations, production support, and continuous improvement initiatives while serving as a strategic partner to Distribution Center leadership in addition to leading cross-functional business and technology initiatives, driving process standardization, and ensuring operational systems deliver measurable improvements in service, inventory accuracy, labor productivity, and operational efficiency As with all positions at KeHE Distributors, we expect that all actions will be consistent with KeHE’s Mission, Vision, and Values.

Essential Functions

DUTIES, TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Operations Systems leads and analysts.
• Establish team priorities, balance workloads, and support employee development and succession planning.
• Foster a high-performing, customer-focused Operations Systems organization.
• Lead successful execution of WMS implementation and enhancement initiatives, including Build, SIT, UAT, Operational Readiness, Cutover, and Hypercare activities.
• Ensure project milestones, quality standards, and business objectives are achieved.
• Manage issue resolution, risk mitigation, and cross-functional dependencies.
• Serve as a strategic systems partner to Distribution Center leadership and key business stakeholders, translating operational challenges into scalable technology solutions.
• Facilitate cross-functional decision-making by balancing operational needs, technology capabilities, and business objectives.
• Provide leadership with updates on project progress, operational risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Establish and maintain governance for system enhancements, prioritization, release management, and production support, including backlog and change request management.
• Monitor key performance indicators and identify opportunities to improve operational effectiveness and system performance.
• Develop support strategies that ensure consistent execution across multiple distribution centers.
• Champion continuous improvement and standardized business processes across the distribution network and enterprise.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

Minimum Requirements, Qualifications, Additional Skills, Aptitude

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

• Strong knowledge of warehouse operations, distribution systems, and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and talent development skills, including succession planning and the ability to influence across all levels of the organization.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with a focus on operational excellence, KPI-driven improvement, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to lead complex, multi-site projects, manage competing priorities, and drive results in a fast-paced environment.
• Expertise in governance, release management, and change management practices, including backlog prioritization and enterprise-wide process standardization.
• Strategic business acumen with the ability to translate operational challenges into scalable technology solutions.
• Excellent communication and executive presence, with the ability to partner effectively with operations, technology, and senior leadership stakeholders.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Information Systems, Logistics, or a related field; equivalent experience considered.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience supporting warehouse, distribution, or supply chain systems.
• Minimum 2+ years of people leadership experience with demonstrated success developing teams.
• Experience leading multiple WMS implementations or large-scale operational system initiatives.
• Strong operational background with experience supporting multi-site distribution environments.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position requires the ability to work in both office and distribution center environments, including extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer use. Travel to distribution centers and company locations will be required, along with the ability to navigate warehouse environments safely.

Requisition ID

2026-29988

Equal Employer Opportunity Statement

KeHE Distributors provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion or faith, sex, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, mental or physical disability or medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training as well as the administration of all Human Resources and Talent Acquisition processes.