Director, Distribution

Position Summary:

Lead the company’s Distribution functions with direct responsibilities of the Corporate Distribution team and dotted line oversight of the Plant Distribution Teams. This role will develop and execute a Corporate Distribution Operating Model to improve service and reduce cost across our nationwide network of plants and 3PL partners.  This is a highly influential role, accountable for modernizing our distribution methodology, identifying and accelerating process improvements, facilitating technological change, and developing distribution talent across the network.  The ideal candidate lives near Irvine, CA; Dallas, TX; Chambersburg, PA or Atlanta, GA.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the entire Distribution function to deliver extraordinary customer experience through efficient and effective operations.  Direct oversight responsibility over corporate Distribution team and dotted line oversight over the plant Distribution teams.  Accountable for improvement of overall distribution metrics and responsible for supporting the plants as needed. Collaborate with plant leadership to ensure stable operations capable of progressing corporate initiatives. 
• Develop and execute a Corporate Distribution Operating Model in a matrixed organization where continuous improvement and stakeholder communication are critical to success.  Build strong internal partnerships to ensure the operating model is broadly understood and results are clearly communicated.  Drive waste reduction through Continuous Improvement initiatives, at a plant and network level.
• Identify, evaluate, prioritize, and execute opportunities to optimize operating processes, warehouse capacity, distribution labor, material handling equipment, inventory storage strategies, warehouse layouts, distribution technology, and safe food handling practices. Develop long term plans to improve service, reduce cost, and expand capacity.
• Own all outsourced distribution providers (3PLs) to meet customer experience, inventory management, cost, and capacity objectives. Implement 3PL Management Program to optimize service providers, contracts, locations, and oversight in alignment with plant needs and corporate initiatives. Responsible for overall 3PL performance and cost.
• Develop corporate distribution team into process improvement accelerators who develop and implement best practices for distribution activities such as receiving, put away, picking, staging, loading, etc. Define the right metrics to measure performance, build tools to measure results consistently, and support improvement where needed to sustain operational excellence. Support and develop plant-level distribution leadership teams to build careers and improve plant self-reliance.
• Accountable for meeting entire Distribution budget including both internal costs and 3P/L costs.   Partner with plant and finance leadership to develop distribution budgets and lead resolution/communication of major variances. 
• Accountable for the overall distribution complaint rate performance of the company. Responsible for setting targets, understanding performance deviations, and defining improvement plans to deliver extraordinary customer experience.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in warehousing and distribution environments, with significant time spent inside a warehouse leading large teams required
• Full operational responsibility for multi-site, warehouse operations experience required
• Experience implementing and managing continuous improvement tools along with a variety of management systems, such as: WMS, ERP, labor management systems, material handling equipment or warehouse storage systems is required
• Demonstrated record of successful project management in distribution and fulfillment operations is required
• Demonstrated history in managing and developing professional level staff is required
• 3PL experience is strongly preferred
• Food distribution experience is helpful
• Travel ranges between 50-75% in North America
• The ideal candidate lives near Irvine, CA; Dallas, TX; Chambersburg, PA or Atlanta, GA

Knowledge and Skills:

• Demonstrated knowledge of current supply chain strategies, efficiency improvement methodologies, operating processes, and warehouse layout design
• Ability to effectively manage multiple staff resources in delivering VF products and services across multiple channels of distribution
• Capable of working successfully in a matrixed organization at all levels influencing decision making and performance
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams across multiple sites including direct and dotted line reporting structures
• Direct complex multiple activities and projects, providing appropriate balance of personnel and other resources to meet deliverables in timely fashion
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Effective presentation and technical skills