Director, Operations Continuous Improvement

Director, Operations Continuous Improvement

ShipMonk isn't just a 3PL we're the tech-powered growth partner for ecommerce brands, running 12+ owned fulfillment centers across the US, Canada, the UK, and Europe so our merchants can stress less and grow more.

The Opportunity

ShipMonk is building a dedicated Operations Continuous Improvement function- a new capability designed to systematically identify, prioritize, and close performance gaps across our fulfillment network. This is an operational leadership role accountable for driving measurable improvement in cost, quality, and speed.

As Director of Operations Continuous Improvement, you will stand up and lead the CI function from the ground up- building the team, establishing the problem backlog and project cadence, and delivering high-impact results across our facilities and merchant-facing operations. You will work in close partnership with our central Launch & Process Excellence function, which owns network level launch, process standards, and documentation, to ensure CI projects land in a governed, scalable system.

What You'll Do:

Build & Lead the Ops CI Function

• Design and operationalize the Ops CI function at ShipMonk, including intake processes, project governance, and reporting cadence.
• Hire, develop, and lead a team of Ops CI managers embedded across the network.
• Establish and maintain a prioritized problem backlog, ensuring the team is always working on the highest-impact opportunities.
• Create visibility for Ops CI work across the organization- from the ops floor to the executive team- through a consistent cadence of reviews and change management.

Drive Performance Improvement

• Own a portfolio of projects across fulfillment operations, cross-functional domains, merchant onboarding, and compliance programs.
• Apply structured problem-solving methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent) to diagnose root causes, design solutions, and implement changes that stick.
• Set and track KPIs for CI project outcomes- cost savings, throughput and speed improvements, quality- and report on progress to senior leadership.
• Partner with General Managers and functional leaders to identify and size improvement opportunities, and ensure operational buy-in for change implementation.

Change Management & Culture

• Champion a culture of continuous improvement across ShipMonk- making problem-solving accessible and habitual at every level of the organization.
• Design and deliver CI training and capability-building programs for operations leaders and frontline teams.
• Lead change management efforts for major CI initiatives, ensuring sustainable adoption rather than one-time fixes.

Partner with Central Process Excellence

• Serve as the primary interface between the CI function and the Process Excellence (PE) team, ensuring CI project outcomes are reflected in updated process documentation and governance.
• Feed the PE team with real-world signals from the ops floor- highlighting where documented standards have drifted from practice, where gaps exist, and where new standards are needed.

Data, Analytics, & Tooling

• Use data to drive every stage of the CI lifecycle- from opportunity identification and sizing to solution design and impact measurement.
• Partner with the Analytics team to develop insights that surface performance gaps and track improvement trends across facilities.

What You'll Need:

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, Business, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in operations, with at least 3 years in a leadership role directly managing CI or operational improvement programs.
• Demonstrated track record of building CI functions or programs-not just participating in them- with measurable financial and operational impact.
• Deep proficiency in Lean and/or Six Sigma methodologies. Black Belt certification strongly preferred.
• Experience in e-commerce fulfillment, 3PL, distribution center, or high-volume logistics environments strongly preferred.
• Strong analytical capabilities- comfortable working with large operational datasets and translating data into insight and action using tools such as Google Sheets, Excel, Metabase, Tableau, or similar.
• Proven ability to influence without authority across a complex, multi-site, cross-functional organization.
• Exceptional communication and executive presence- able to present CI roadmaps and outcomes clearly to both operational and senior leadership audiences.
• Ability to travel up to 2535% to support multi-site engagement and on-site project leadership.

What Will Set You Apart

• Experience standing up a CI function from scratch in a high-growth, operationally complex environment.
• Familiarity with WMS and the ability to leverage system data directly in improvement work.
• Experience managing complex projects working cross-functionally with commercial, analytics, product development, and operations. Project types will include launching new merchants in building, process change roll outs, WMS systems improvements, etc.
• Track record of developing CI talent.
• The ability to identify and execute opportunities on the floor.

About ShipMonk

ShipMonk isn't just a 3PL; we're a growth partner for merchants. We provide cutting-edge technology and a network of owned and operated fulfillment centers that empower high-growth ecommerce and DTC brands to stress less and grow more. With over 2,500 employees across five countries, we're on a mission to revolutionize fulfillment by providing everything from the fastest click-to-delivery and real-time inventory to custom solutionsall with a merchant-first mindset.

Why ShipMonk?

We believe in building for the long term, and our success is powered by five key differentiators that help us become true partners to our merchants.

• Global Fulfillment Network: Our 12+ owned and operated fulfillment centers span the US, Canada, the UK, and Mainland Europe. We never outsource, ensuring quality and consistency. Proprietary Technology: We've eliminated the need for tribal knowledge with our AI-powered platform. It provides a real-time, unified view of inventory and orders, giving our merchants the control and visibility they need to succeed. Unrivaled Support: We provide hands-on, "mom and pop" support with a global reach. Our dedicated teams are on-site at every fulfillment center, ready to jump into action. Transparent Pricing: We believe in honest, long-term partnerships. Our all-inclusive pricing means predictable costs, with no hidden fees or surprises. Committed to the Future: We invest over $10 million annually in research and development to ensure our technology and services continually evolve, helping merchants plant roots with a partner who is here to stay.

Our Core Values

Our values are the heart of our culture. We're looking for individuals who embody these principles every day.

• Merchant-first: We handle the logistics so our merchants can focus on what they do bestgrowing their business.
• People make ShipMonk: We believe in our team and invest in our people.
• Own it: We take ownership of our work, our mistakes, and our successes.
• Get sh*t done: We're a fast-paced, high-growth company that values action and results.
• Change the score: We challenge the status quo, constantly innovating and improving.

ShipMonk is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.