Director of Distribution

Job Details: Job Location: Sacramento - Sacramento, CA, Position Type: Full Time, Salary Range: $150000.00 - $180000.00Salary/year, Job Category: Distribution - Shipping, Job Title: Director of Distribution

Location: Sacramento, CA (on-site; relocation available)

Pay: $150,000-$180,000 per year

About the Role:

Athena is seeking a Director of Distribution to lead our domestic and international distribution network, including warehousing, logistics, inventory deployment, transportation, and import/export operations. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you’ll build a scalable organization that delivers measurable improvements in service, cost, inventory flow, and efficiency.

We’re looking for a decisive leader who can turn strategy into operational results. You’ll develop warehouse and logistics leaders, challenge established processes, and strengthen the systems and accountability needed to support a growing distribution network.

What You’ll Do:

• Distribution Leadership: Lead warehouse, distribution, transportation, and logistics operations across multiple locations.
• Performance Management: Own distribution KPIs, establish clear performance expectations, and drive improvements in service, cost, capacity, and inventory flow.
• Inventory Accuracy: Be accountable for stock count approvals and inventory accuracy across all locations.
• Network Strategy: Develop inventory deployment and distribution network strategies; support capacity expansion and new facility initiatives.
• Freight and Trade Operations: Manage domestic and international freight, import/export operations, customs clearance, and distribution partners.
• Cost Management: Manage freight, labor, storage, and other distribution costs; evaluate ROI and service, cost, and inventory tradeoffs.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify bottlenecks and implement scalable warehouse and logistics processes.
• Leadership Development: Coach warehouse and logistics leaders, build accountability, and address performance issues directly.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Sales, Finance, and Operations to align distribution with business priorities.
• Project Execution: Set project timelines and drive toward the earliest achievable completion while building systems that support continued growth.

Qualifications: Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, logistics, operations, business administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and professional experience.
• At least eight years of progressively responsible experience in distribution, logistics, warehousing, transportation, or supply chain operations.
• At least five years of leadership experience, including responsibility for developing managers, supervisors, or operational teams.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing multi-location distribution or warehouse operations.
• Direct experience managing international freight, import and export processes, customs requirements, and related trade documentation.
• Experience managing freight, labor, storage, and other distribution-related costs within established budgets.
• Demonstrated ability to establish operational metrics, analyze performance data, and implement improvements affecting service, cost, capacity, and inventory accuracy.
• Experience working with enterprise resource planning, warehouse management, transportation management, or similar operational systems.
• Experience selecting, managing, and evaluating carriers, freight providers, third-party logistics providers, or other distribution partners.
• Strong analytical and financial judgment, clear communication, and the ability to coach leaders, navigate difficult conversations, and lead operational change.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in supply chain management, logistics, operations, business administration, or a related discipline.
• Professional certification such as APICS CSCP, CLTD, CPIM, Lean Six Sigma, or a comparable supply chain or operational certification.
• Experience supporting a manufacturing organization with domestic and international distribution channels.
• Experience designing or expanding a distribution network, opening new facilities, or implementing scalable warehouse and logistics systems.
• Experience operating in an ISO-certified, regulated, or quality-controlled environment.
• Experience with NetSuite or a comparable enterprise resource planning system.

Why Join Athena:

You’ll have the opportunity to shape how Athena’s products reach customers across domestic and international markets. Working with the COO and cross-functional leaders, you’ll influence distribution strategy, network development, and the systems that support growth.

This role offers the chance to build strong operational leaders and deliver visible improvements in service, inventory accuracy, and cost. If you enjoy combining strategic planning with practical execution and clear accountability, you can make a meaningful impact here.

Athena Ag, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.