Director, Warehouse Operations

OB SUMMARY:

As Director, Warehouse Operations at Hilldrup, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for warehouse operations, with accountability for safety, service, inventory integrity, labor productivity, capacity, and cost performance. You will lead warehouse management and frontline teams, including an M3-level direct report, establish operating standards and performance expectations, and drive initiatives that strengthen efficiency, scalability, and customer service. Working cross-functionally with Operations, Transportation, Sales, Finance, Risk & Compliance, and external logistics partners, you will translate business priorities into effective warehouse strategies and ensure consistent execution.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

None

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct the overall strategy and performance of warehouse operations, establishing priorities, service standards, controls, and performance expectations.

• Lead and develop warehouse management, including an M3-level direct report, and hold leaders accountable for safety, service, productivity, quality, and employee performance.

• Develop staffing, labor, capacity, equipment, and space plans aligned with forecasted business volume and operational requirements.

• Establish and monitor warehouse KPIs, dashboards, and operating metrics; identify performance gaps and lead corrective and continuous-improvement actions.

• Own warehouse labor and operating-cost performance; support annual budgeting, forecasting, capital requests, and expense management.

• Ensure effective inventory controls, shipping, receiving, storage, order fulfillment, documentation, and materials-handling practices.

• Drive standardization and process improvements that increase productivity, accuracy, scalability, and customer service while reducing errors and cost.

• Ensure compliance with company safety programs, OSHA requirements, applicable federal/state regulations, and internal risk-management standards.

• Partner with Operations, Transportation, Sales, Finance, Risk & Compliance, HR, and other functions to resolve issues and support business priorities.

• Oversee relationships and performance expectations with carriers, vendors, and third-party logistics providers (3PL) as applicable.

• Lead operational change initiatives, technology/WMS enhancements, and implementation of new warehouse processes or capabilities.

• Develop management bench strength through coaching, performance management, succession planning, and leadership development.

• Identify and mitigate operational, inventory, safety, service, and capacity risks; escalate significant issues and recommend solutions to senior leadership.

• Ensure warehouse facilities and equipment are maintained to support safe, reliable, and efficient operations.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE/SKILLS:

Education/Work Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible warehouse/operations leadership experience may be considered.

• Seven (7) or more years of progressively responsible warehouse, distribution, logistics, or operations experience, including significant leadership responsibility.

• Three (3) or more years leading managers or supervisors; experience managing through other leaders strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated experience with operational budgeting, labor planning, KPI management, process improvement, and safety/compliance programs.

Skills

• Strategic warehouse and distribution operations leadership

• Leadership of managers, supervisors, and frontline teams

• Workforce planning, talent development, performance management, and succession planning

• Budget management, labor-cost control, forecasting, and resource allocation

• Inventory management, capacity planning, and operational controls

• Advanced knowledge of shipping, receiving, storage, and order fulfillment processes

• Proficiency with warehouse management systems (WMS), ERP systems, and operational reporting

• KPI development, data analysis, and performance management

• Lean/process improvement and operational standardization

• Safety, regulatory compliance, risk management, and loss prevention

• Cross-functional executive communication and stakeholder management

• Vendor, carrier, and third-party logistics (3PL) management

• Strong judgment, problem-solving, change leadership, and decision-making skills

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods while observing warehouse operations, conducting inspections, and interacting with employees throughout the facility.

• Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods while reviewing operational reports, budgets, performance metrics, and other business information.

• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull items weighing up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Ability to frequently bend, reach, stoop, and navigate warehouse and storage areas, including areas with varying floor surfaces and operating equipment.

• Ability to work in a warehouse environment with exposure to varying temperatures, noise, dust, moving equipment, and vehicle traffic, while consistently following required safety procedures and using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Position last updated: September 2026