Director Distribution Operations

Job Summary

The Director, Distribution Operations provides executive leadership for the North American Distribution Network, overseeing operations across multiple distribution centers (Mississippi, Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Maryland) supporting medical device manufacturing and commercial operations. Operating within a highly regulated FDA, ISO, and global compliance environment, this leader is responsible for the strategic direction, operational execution, and continuous modernization of enterprise distribution operations.

This role serves as a key member of the Operations Leadership Team and is responsible for transforming distribution operations through operational excellence, digital technologies, automation, Lean methodologies, and data-driven decision making. The Director will establish the long-term vision for warehouse operations while ensuring exceptional customer service, inventory integrity, cost performance, regulatory compliance, and scalable network capabilities that support future business growth.

The successful candidate will champion a culture of continuous improvement, operational innovation, and performance accountability by leveraging advanced analytics, AI-enabled reporting, SAP technologies, and modern supply chain best practices to improve productivity, service, and financial performance across the enterprise.

Job Details/Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the strategic vision for North American Distribution Operations by leading multi-site distribution centers, establishing operational goals, standardizing processes, and ensuring scalable, compliant operations that support commercial growth and customer satisfaction.
• Lead enterprise-wide operational transformation initiatives through Lean, Six Sigma, automation, AI-enabled analytics, warehouse technologies, and digital solutions to improve productivity, inventory accuracy, cost performance, and operational efficiency across the distribution network.
• Drive operational excellence through data analytics and KPI management by implementing enterprise dashboards, predictive analytics, performance metrics, and business intelligence tools that support strategic decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Manage financial performance and capital investments by developing operating budgets, forecasting expenditures, evaluating ROI, identifying cost reduction opportunities, and leading capital projects that improve operational capabilities while meeting financial objectives.
• Ensure regulatory compliance, quality, and supply chain performance by maintaining compliance with FDA, ISO, GDP, OSHA, Corporate Quality Systems, and collaborating with Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, and Supply Chain partners to optimize end-to-end operations.
• Build and develop a high-performing operations leadership team through coaching, succession planning, organizational development, performance management, and change leadership while fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, safety, and continuous improvement.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA)

• Ability to develop and effectively execute short and long-term strategies
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing complete logistics solutions and project management skills
• Must be able to build partnerships and work collaboratively with others at all levels and within multiple functions to meet shared objectives
• Proven knowledge of warehouse and transportation management systems
• Extensive knowledge and relationships with transportation companies
• Proven ability to perform financial analysis, reviewing and analyzing existing cost data
• Demonstrated decision-making skills with ability to multitask.
• Excellent communication and influence skills across functions and levels.
• Ability to interpret verbal information and reach correct conclusions
• Must be able to logically analyze abstract information and apply appropriate outcomes
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with demonstrated leadership capabilities

Qualifications/ Background Experiences

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field; Master's degree (MBA or MS) preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5-10 years of progressive distribution, logistics/supply chain experience in a multi-plant/warehouse environment experience; medical device/pharma/regulated industry experience strongly preferred
• 5 years of P&L experience including forecasting and managing financial targets
• 5 years of management/leadership experience with direct reports
• Demonstrated success leading multi-site distribution operations and enterprise transformation initiatives.
• Extensive experience implementing Lean, Six Sigma, automation, digital transformation, and operational excellence programs.
• Strong knowledge of SAP (EWM, WM, ERP), WMS, TMS, Power BI, AI-enabled analytics, and advanced reporting tools.
• Proven experience leading capital projects, operational modernization, network optimization, and large-scale organizational change.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing multimillion-dollar operating budgets and capital investment portfolios.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and executive presentation skills.

We believe that the future is bright for everyone at Terumo. We work with the future in mind to generate lasting change, create a bigger impact and produce greater outcomes for today, and for decades to come.

At Terumo we believe in the power of personal growth and will encourage you to get in the driver’s seat – progressing in the direction you want to go by deepening your skills throughout your career. We want you to be bold, think outside the box, experiment, innovate and deliver what’s next for quality healthcare. You will be part of a collaborative, respectful and resilient team of associates and leaders around the world, working together as partners to achieve more than you thought possible, providing real-world, sustainable solutions for patients. The salary range is $139,000- $192,000 based on experience plus a 25% target bonus.

Join us, and help shape wherever we go next!

Advancing healthcare with heart