Director of Distribution Network Optimization

About the Company:

HMSHost, a subsidiary of Avolta , is a leader in creating dining for travel venues. With our unmatched portfolio , we operate over 1,000 locations in nearly 80 airports across North America, including proprietary concepts, local, regional, and national brands, and partnerships with award-winning chefs. For decades, HMSHost has curated food and beverage programs that make a traveler’s journey as exciting as the destination.

About the Role:

Purpose: The Director of Distribution Network Optimization serves as the “efficiency expert” across Avolta North America’s warehouse and airport environment, applying industrial engineering principles, data analysis, system design, and labor management to optimize productivity and reduce operational costs. This role leads strategic initiatives spanning warehouse layout and process flow design, transportation flows, inventory procurement, and capacity planning across the distribution network and all lines of business.

Essential Functions:

• Applies industrial engineering methodology – including time studies, engineered labor standards, and process flow analysis – to optimize receiving, picking, packing, and shipping workflows, reducing touches, travel time, and waste
• Designs and optimizes warehouse layouts, slotting strategies, and rack configurations using CAD tools to maximize space utilization; leads facility planning for new distribution center placement, consolidation, or expansion
• Builds and manages advanced network optimization models using supply chain modeling and simulation tools; models scenarios to support business growth, acquisitions, and market expansion
• Develops and maintains long-term strategy for the company’s distribution and fulfillment network, evaluating current and future distribution center locations, capacities, service coverage to support the needs of all lines of business
• Leads the implementation of automation, conveyors, and warehouse management systems (WMS); acts as subject matter expert for technology and process improvement initiatives
• Identifies opportunities to reduce logistics costs while improving customer service; develops data-driven recommendations for network changes and presents ROI analyses and business cases to senior leadership
• Collaborates with Transportation team to improve routing, consolidation, and shipment efficiency; aligns inventory placement strategies with demand patterns and service requirements
• Develops KPI dashboards and performance reporting (e.g. lines per hour, dock-to-stock time); benchmarks network performance against industry best practices
• Partners with IT, Master Data, Finance, Operations, and Real Estate teams to improve supply chain visibility, analytical capabilities, and distribution center management
• Leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of standard

Reporting Relationship: The Director of Distribution Network Optimization reports to the Senior Director of Distribution & Logistics

Minimum Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Work Environment:

• Education and Experience: The combination of education and professional experience mustexceed 8 years:
• In a leadership role: Requires 3 years of experience supervising a team of professionals engaged in executing distributions & logistics programs
• In a technical role: Requires 8 years of experience engaged in developing and delivering distributions & logistics programs
• A bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or program related to the functional area can count for 2 of the 8-year requirement; degree in Industrial Engineering is preferred

Specialized Training:

• Training that leads to strong understanding of industrial engineering principles, specifically time studies, engineered labor standards, process flow design, and facilities layout optimization in a distribution or fulfillment environment

Specialized Skillset/Competencies/Traits:

• Strong financial acumen with solid understanding of growth and profitability drivers; ability to build business cases and ROI analysis, navigate P&L statements, analyze key financial metrics, and drive KPI results
• Proven ability to build and apply supply chain modeling tools, advanced analytics, machine learning, and forecasting to drive network decisions
• Knowledge of retail or consumer goods industry with understanding of travel retail concepts and multi-brand environments
• Demonstrated expertise in retail product and service quality standards
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders including managers, hourly associates, union representatives, brand partners in a professional and inclusive manner
• Strong organizational and critical thinking abilities with proven track record of managing multiple concurrent priorities and implementing solutions to complex operational challenges
• Exceptional communication skills with ability to understand, interpret, and effectively communicate instructions, policies, and brand standards to teams at all levels
• Business acumen and also has the mindset required to understand the long-term implications of distribution & logistics planning and to advance the organization’s goals
• Demonstrated history of understanding the needs of the business, stakeholders, the employee population and individual circumstances
• Demonstrated history of creating and maintaining positive work environments through coaching, developing, and leading teams to achieve common goals

Location/Travel:

• This role is based at the North America Support Center in Bethesda, MD
• This role requires up to 50% travel

Avolta, including Dufry, HMSHost Corporation, Hudson, and affiliates (“the Company”), is an equal opportunity employer. It is the Company’s policy to ensure equal employment opportunity in all aspects of employment and to comply with anti-discrimination laws and regulations. The Company prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and provides equal opportunities to applicants and team members without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, age, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, national origin, disability, military service and veteran status, ancestry, citizenship status, marital status, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances (referred to as “protected characteristics”).