Distribution Manager

About the Job

Williams-Sonoma, Inc Supply Chain Overview

By managing resources responsibly, caring for our people, and uniting around our values, we lead our industry and are proud to be recognized for our continuous action and progress in the following areas: Barron's 100 Most Sustainable Companies; Forbes Best Employers for Women and Diversity; Newsweek America's Most Responsible Companies; and USA Today Customer Service Champions. These honors reflect that we are truly a people-first organization.

• Over 4,000 Full-Time Associates across the Supply Chain.
• 14.5M square feet of small parcel, personalization, furniture, and manufacturing space in the domestic US. Williams-Sonoma has developed an agile and capable distribution network consisting of the following:
  • Large package/furniture distribution centers located in Southern California, Northern California, Texas, Georgia, and New Jersey, totaling 9.2M square feet, plus another 1.2M square feet of standalone final-mile furniture hubs.
• Small package eCommerce distribution centers located in Mississippi and Arizona, totaling 3.2M square feet, consisting of over 1,000 full-time associates and 1,500 seasonal/temporary associates in Mississippi.
  • Sutter Street Manufacturing upholstery factories located in North Carolina and Mississippi, totaling over 1,400 full-time employees, producing approximately $900 million to $1 billion in sales of upholstered furniture.
• Transportation Department for Ocean, Air, Trucking, and Rail, consisting of over 30 transportation professionals located in Memphis, TN.
• 700 associates in our Sourcing offices in 10 countries in Asia and Europe, including China, Vietnam, Singapore, India, Italy, and Turkey.

We are looking for an Distribution Manager who thrives in a fast-moving distribution environment and knows how to turn priorities into disciplined execution. Working closely with the General Manager and/or Assistant General Manager , this leader drives performance across the floor, develops front-line talent, and helps the operation respond effectively to changing priorities, peak demand, and daily business needs.

This role is designed for a strong operator who wants to take ownership of meaningful parts of the business, build capable teams, and help raise the bar on what great looks like. The Operations Manager will be expected to drive results across safety, associate engagement, quality of service, inventory accuracy, and productivity while maintaining strong execution and team alignment in a high-volume environment.

You'll be excited about this opportunity because you will:

• Build and lead high-performing teams by setting clear expectations, coaching consistently, and reinforcing accountability at every level.
• Create a culture of urgency, ownership, discipline, and pride in execution.
• Develop team leads and emerging talent to strengthen the leadership bench and support long-term site performance.
• Own key areas of the operation and ensure labor, staffing, and workflow are aligned to meet daily and peak volume demands.
• Translate operational priorities into action and maintain strong execution throughout the shift.
• Monitor productivity, workflow, and service performance, taking immediate action to address gaps and remove obstacles.
• Provide strong shift handoffs & recaps, operational continuity, and consistent execution across functions.
• Help run a fast, efficient distribution operation with strong control across inbound, outbound, inventory, and dock activity.
• Use operational data, WMS systems, and real-time observations to make sound decisions and improve performance.
• Lead with discipline around process adherence, inventory accuracy, and throughput.
• Think critically in a live operational environment and respond quickly to shifting priorities and challenges.
• Lead from the front on safety, compliance, and operational standards.
• Reinforce a culture where safe behaviors, quality execution, and operational discipline are non-negotiable.
• Partner with site leadership to ensure compliance with OSHA standards and company expectations.
• Hold teams accountable for maintaining a clean, organized, and well-run operation.
• Challenge the status quo, identify opportunities for improvement, and drive measurable gains in productivity, quality, and service.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen execution and improve scalability.
• Solve problems with a practical, progressive mindset by identifying root causes and implementing sustainable solutions.
• Help the operation scale up or down quickly as business conditions, labor needs, and seasonal demand shift.
• Work closely with the Assistant General Manager and site leadership team to execute business priorities and drive performance.
• Partner cross-functionally with internal teams and external providers to ensure alignment and strong execution.

Check out some of the required qualifications we are looking for in amazing candidates:

• High school diploma or equivalent required, with 3-5 years of progressive distribution leadership experience in a large-scale operation.
• This is an onsite role.
• Demonstrated success leading people and performance in a fast-paced, high-volume distribution, logistics, or fulfillment environment.
• Strong ability to lead teams, set direction, and drive accountability.
• Demonstrated operational judgment and ability to make effective real-time decisions in a changing environment.
• Proficiency in WMS systems and understanding of how they support inventory control, workflow, and accuracy.
• Demonstrated success managing third-party providers across warehouse operations, value-added services, and transportation.

We prefer some of these qualities as well:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Logistics, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related field is preferred.
• Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement experience.
• Exposure to high-volume distribution, big box, furniture, or omnichannel operations.
• Experience working with or implementing automation or advanced operational systems.
• Strong understanding of OSHA and workplace safety standards.
• Experience supporting multi-shift operations and developing front-line leaders.

Review these physical requirements, as they play a major part in this role:

• Able to bend, reach, squat, climb stairs/ladders, stand, and walk throughout the facility for extended periods.
• Able to move, lift, or carry heavy objects or materials up to 50-100 pounds.

Our company benefits are second to none in the industry:

• Generous discount on all Williams-Sonoma, Inc. brand products.
• 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities.
• Paid vacations, Employee Assistance Programs, Time Off to Volunteer, Matching Gifts Community Service Program, and Holidays (in some locations).
• Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits, Legal and Identity Protection Plans and Pet Insurance.
• For more information on our benefits offerings, please visit MyWSIBenefits.com .
• To learn more about our Supply Chain culture and regional associate events, please visit: (Login credentials may be required).

EOE

About the Company

Since it was founded in 1956, Williams - Sonoma has grown from Chuck Williams' single store in Sonoma, CA into one of the largest retailers in the country, with some best known and most beloved brands in home furnishings, including Williams - Sonoma. Pottery Barn and West Elm. Our Distribution Centers serve as vital connections between factories and our retail, online and mail-order customers around the world. The Supply Chain environment is dynamic and fast-paced, and the network is expanding rapidly. If you have a background in distribution, manufacturing, engineering, transportation, finance, human resources or home delivery - and are looking for a job with a strong opportunity for gaining new skills and for advancement - our Supply Chain Organization could be just the place for you.