Director Warehouse Operations

Position Purpose

The Director of Warehouse Operations provides strategic leadership for warehouse operations, materials management, inventory control, and customer fulfillment across the company's manufacturing and distribution network. This role is accountable for delivering exceptional performance in safety, service, quality, inventory management, and cost efficiency while building a high-performing organization grounded in engagement, empowerment, accountability, and continuous improvement. Working closely with Operations, Supply Chain, and cross-functional leaders, the Director develops organizational capability, drives operational excellence, and serves as the business owner for warehouse, inventory, and materials management processes, including SAP S/4HANA and Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) initiatives that support the company's long-term strategic objectives.

Functional Responsibility

• Oversees, directs, and manages departmental activities and team performance
• Drives and models company culture and holds self, peers, and direct reports accountable for demonstrating a constructive company culture through influential, personal behavior and actions
• Develops and implements clearly defined operational and individual goals to develop employees, achieve productivity levels, and to attain the company's strategic plan
• Researches best practices, stays abreast of industry trends, and maintains awareness of regulatory changes to ensure compliance and continually improve operations
• Executes departmental financial objectives by preparing budgets, scheduling expenditures, analyzing variances, and initiating corrective action
• Achieves departmental results to ensure the effective delivery of the strategic plan
• Develops staffing needs; attracts, motivates, and retains a workforce with the appropriate knowledge, skills, and abilities to achieve goals and objectives
• Promotes and ensures a safe and healthy work environment for all employees
• Leads the way and prepares departmental staff for success in a continually changing environment
• Fosters a work environment that encourages creative thinking, promotes flexibility, and drives innovation
• Addresses employee issues, concerns, and complaints in an objective and confidential manner; notifies HR Business Partner and keeps immediate manager informed as appropriate
• Ensures compliance and consistent application of company policies, initiatives, and decisions
• Coaches, guides, and develops direct reports; fully engages in the GPS (Performance Management) process; provides high-quality feedback, and ensures proper GPS documentation of employee performance, recognition, and deficiencies

Essential Duties

• Provides leadership and direction for all warehouse, distribution, materials operations, inventory control, and customer fulfillment activities
• Ensures the safe, efficient, and accurate receipt, storage, handling, and movement of finished goods and production materials throughout the supply chain network
• Develops, communicates, and executes departmental goals, objectives, and key performance indicators aligned with company strategy and operational priorities
• Drives operational excellence by monitoring performance, identifying improvement opportunities, and implementing sustainable process enhancements
• Establishes and maintains a culture focused on safety, quality, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement
• Leads all aspects of inventory management, including inventory accuracy, cycle counting, reconciliation processes, inventory risk mitigation, and transaction integrity
• Partners with Production, Planning, Procurement, Transportation, Customer Service, and other functional teams to optimize material flow, service levels, and operational performance
• Manages relationships with third-party logistics providers, warehouse partners, and service providers to ensure service, capacity, quality, and cost expectations are met
• Ensures compliance with all applicable safety, environmental, food safety, quality, GMP, HACCP, regulatory, and company requirements
• Utilizes operational data, technology, and reporting tools to drive informed decision-making and improve business performance
• Oversees warehouse systems, inventory management processes, and operational technologies, including forklift telematics and related performance management tools
• Serves as a key business leader in SAP S/4HANA and Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) implementation, optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Develops and manages departmental operating budgets while supporting capital planning and investment initiatives that enhance operational capabilities and long-term business performance
• Leads change management efforts associated with business growth, organizational development, process improvement, and technology transformation
• Builds, coaches, and develops a high-performing team through effective leadership, performance management, succession planning, and employee development
• Collaborates cross-functionally to identify and implement solutions that improve service, productivity, inventory control, safety performance, and overall supply chain effectiveness
• Maintains accountability for achieving departmental objectives while supporting the broader strategic goals of the organization
• Performs other related duties and special projects as assigned

*Other duties may be assigned

Non-Essential Duties

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and progressive leadership experience
• Significant leadership experience in warehouse, distribution, materials management, manufacturing, or supply chain operations
• Proven ability to build high-performing teams and foster a culture of engagement, empowerment, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Demonstrated success leading organizational change and driving operational performance through KPI management
• Experience managing inventory, warehouse, and materials operations in a complex operating environment
• Experience collaborating across Operations, Supply Chain, and other cross-functional teams to achieve business objectives
• Proficiency with ERP and warehouse management systems

Preferred Requirements

• Experience in food and beverage, consumer packaged goods, manufacturing, or high-volume distribution environments
• Experience with SAP S/4HANA and Extended Warehouse Management (EWM)
• Experience leading business transformation, systems implementations, or operational excellence initiatives
• Lean, Six Sigma, APICS, CSCMP, or similar professional certifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of warehouse operations, materials management, inventory control, distribution, and supply chain processes
• Strong understanding of inventory management principles, material flow optimization, warehouse operations, and fulfillment processes
• Knowledge of safety, environmental, quality, food safety, GMP, HACCP, and regulatory compliance requirements within a manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated ability to develop operational strategies and translate business objectives into effective execution plans
• Proven ability to establish, communicate, and manage performance through key performance indicators, scorecards, and operational metrics
• Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean, Operational Excellence, or similar methodologies
• Strong financial acumen with the ability to manage operating budgets, evaluate investments, analyze business performance, and identify cost-saving opportunities
• Knowledge of enterprise resource planning (ERP) and warehouse management systems, including SAP S/4HANA and Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) principles and business processes
• Demonstrated ability to lead large-scale business transformation, technology implementation, and organizational change initiatives
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to utilize operational and financial data to drive improvements
• Ability to build effective partnerships and work collaboratively across Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Information Technology, Quality, and other business functions
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills
• Proven leadership capability with the ability to motivate, coach, develop, and hold teams accountable for performance and results
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to influence stakeholders, drive alignment, and lead through change
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering a positive culture focused on safety, accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and business reporting, analytics, and data visualization tools
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and make decisions aligned with organizational objectives and values

Working Conditions

• Manufacturing plant/production floor
• Occasionally may need to travel
• Occasionally may need to drive automotive vehicle or equipment
• Extended hours
• Required to wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
• Exposure to varying levels of dust, chemicals, fumes, gases, and noisy equipment
• Occasionally may be required to lift and carry cases of wine

Work Standards

• Acts in a manner reflective of the Company culture of High Moral Standards, Innovation and Continuous Evolution, Trust in Team, Continuous Improvement, and Sustainable Relationships
• Communicates, interacts, and works effectively with others; receptive to feedback and coaching; voices concerns in a constructive manner
• Demonstrates commitment to safety first; communicates safety concerns; promotes a safe work environment based on established safety standards and training
• Follows all Company policies and procedures

Additional Comments

Management retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.