Director Supply Chain Operations

Overview

We are seeking a Director of Supply Chain Operations for a growing branded-products company focused on enhancing the performance, cost-efficiency, and scalability of an outsourced distribution network that supports both business-to-business and direct shipment channels. This senior corporate position entails overseeing network design, managing external partner relationships, optimizing service levels, controlling costs, and leading a distributed team.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a distribution and fulfillment strategy balancing service quality, speed, cost controls, capacity, and future growth requirements.
• Assess and recommend strategies regarding warehouse locations, carrier selection, shipping methods, delivery zones, and the overall cost-to-serve model.
• Govern third-party logistics providers (3PLs), warehouses, carriers, and external partners by establishing clear expectations, monitoring performance metrics, conducting performance reviews, and managing corrective actions.
• Manage fulfillment operations across multiple channels, improving service reliability, cycle times, compliance, capacity utilization, and handling exceptions.
• Lead and coach a geographically dispersed team accountable for fulfillment operations, logistics coordination, and partner performance.
• Define clear roles, decision-making authorities, escalation procedures, and operational standards within the function.
• Implement consistent management processes focused on service levels, cost management, risk mitigation, capacity, and channel performance.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Demand Planning, Purchasing, Inventory Control, Finance, Technology, and logistics vendors to balance competing priorities and constraints.
• Prepare the network for new customers, product launches, promotions, seasonal demand peaks, and other complexities requiring flexibility.
• Enhance retailer-facing supply chain functions such as order management, electronic data interchange (EDI), advanced shipping notices (ASNs), routing compliance, labeling, shipment compliance, and deduction management.
• Champion improvements to systems, reporting, integrations, and workflows to facilitate clearer handoffs, improved visibility, and expedited decision-making.
• Provide data-driven recommendations on distribution expenses, transport costs, partner re-selection, service enhancement, and network investments while ensuring recurrent issues are permanently resolved.

Required Experience and Skills

• Minimum of eight years in supply chain operations, distribution, fulfillment, customer supply chain management, logistics, or related areas.
• At least three years of leadership experience managing teams, setting clear expectations, nurturing talent, and elevating performance.
• Proven track record managing fulfillment operations across multiple channels including retail and e-commerce/direct-to-consumer.
• Accountability for managing relationships with 3PLs, warehouses, carriers, and external logistics partners.
• Experience in evaluating warehouse footprints, carrier mixes, service levels, capacity, costs, and diverse fulfillment network alternatives.
• Strong knowledge of retailer operational requirements such as EDI, ASNs, routing guides, shipment compliance, on-time-in-full (OTIF) expectations, deductions, and chargebacks.
• Expertise in driving operational performance through clear KPIs, service targets, and structured partner reviews.
• High financial and analytical acumen to assess costs, service trade-offs, and investment decisions.
• Background in process improvements, systems enhancement, automation, reporting, or data analytics within supply chain operations.
• Familiarity with ERP, order management, warehouse management, transportation management, or similar supply chain software systems.
• Strong collaboration skills across Sales, Planning, Inventory, Finance, Technology, warehouse operations, carriers, and external partners.
• Prior experience with branded products, retail, or multichannel physical goods businesses serving major retail and e-commerce outlets is advantageous.

Leadership Style

The ideal candidate critically evaluates current networks, partners, processes, or systems to ensure ongoing suitability; anticipates operational and financial risks; fosters accountability without overcomplication; develops team members rather than personally owning all challenges; and bases decisions on data. The role requires comfort balancing strategic vision with operational details and timely execution.

Location and Travel

This role offers remote work within the United States. Occasional travel for company meetings and visits to warehouses, 3PLs, carriers, customers, or other partners is expected.

Confidentiality

This search is confidential; further corporate context will be disclosed to shortlisted candidates during initial discussions.