Director, Warehouse Operations

Johnson Lancaster | RestaurantSupply.com Location: Tennessee — Nashville or Memphis area
Compensation: competitive base salary + annual company bonus
Travel: Extensive domestic travel required

Position Overview

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), the Director of Warehouse Operations will oversee warehouse operations across multiple U.S. locations, including Adamsville, Tennessee; Clearwater, Florida; the Boston area; Connecticut; California; and Ohio.

This leader will be responsible for warehouse performance, inventory accuracy, receiving and fulfillment, freight preparation, shipping execution, safety, and operational efficiency across the network. The role will establish consistent operating procedures, develop local warehouse leadership, resolve operational challenges, and ensure each facility meets company standards.

The ideal candidate brings substantial experience managing warehouses that handle heavy equipment, oversized products, and less-than-truckload (LTL) freight. They must also have practical proficiency with NetSuite ERP for inventory and warehouse transactions.

This is a highly hands‑on leadership position requiring regular on‑site presence, frequent domestic travel, and the ability to lead effectively across geographically dispersed teams.

Key Responsibilities

National Warehouse Operations

• Oversee daily warehouse operations across the national network, including receiving, storage, inventory control, picking, packing, freight preparation, and shipping.
• Establish and implement standardized operating procedures across all warehouse locations.
• Conduct regular facility visits, operational inspections, inventory reviews, and performance assessments.
• Identify operational gaps, implement corrective actions, and drive continuous improvement.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for warehouse‑related questions, escalations, and operational issues.
• Ensure facilities maintain appropriate housekeeping, equipment upkeep, organization, and operating standards.

Heavy Equipment and Freight Operations

• Oversee the safe handling, storage, movement, and shipment of heavy equipment and oversized products.
• Ensure appropriate use of forklifts, pallet jacks, lifting equipment, and other material‑handling equipment.
• Oversee LTL freight shipping and receiving, including carrier coordination, freight documentation, inspections, packaging, palletizing, load securing, and damage claims.
• Establish standards for product protection and freight preparation to minimize damage, claims, and avoidable shipping costs.
• Resolve recurring shipping and receiving issues and improve freight accuracy and reliability.

Inventory Management and NetSuite

• Maintain accurate inventory records across all warehouse locations.
• Use NetSuite ERP to manage and review receiving transactions, order fulfillment, interwarehouse transfers, inventory adjustments, and operational reporting.
• Lead inventory reconciliation efforts and resolve discrepancies between physical inventory and system records.
• Establish effective cycle‑counting procedures and inventory‑control standards.
• Partner with Purchasing and other departments to address inventory availability, replenishment, and fulfillment challenges.

Leadership and Team Development

• Lead, coach, and hold local warehouse managers and supervisors accountable for operational performance.
• Establish clear expectations, performance standards, and consistent management practices across facilities.
• Support hiring, onboarding, training, workforce planning, scheduling, and performance management.
• Promote a culture of ownership, safety, accuracy, communication, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure teams follow established procedures and comply with applicable workplace safety requirements.

Performance Management and Reporting

• Monitor and report on key operational metrics, including inventory accuracy, order and shipping accuracy, freight damage, turnaround times, labor productivity, and operating costs.
• Identify trends, investigate performance issues, and implement measurable improvement plans.
• Communicate warehouse performance, risks, priorities, and improvement opportunities to the COO and company leadership.
• Develop scalable processes that support continued business growth while maintaining service quality and cost efficiency.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Purchasing, Sales, Customer Service, and other internal teams to resolve inventory, fulfillment, and shipping issues.
• Coordinate operational priorities across locations to support customer commitments and business needs.
• Ensure warehouse operations align with broader company objectives and service expectations.

Required Qualifications

• At least five years of progressive warehouse, distribution, or logistics operations experience, including substantial management responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing warehouses that handle heavy equipment, oversized products, or other large, heavy items shipped through LTL freight.
• Strong knowledge of safe material handling, equipment capabilities, load capacity, product protection, and secure freight preparation.
• Practical proficiency with NetSuite ERP for inventory and warehouse operations, including receiving, fulfillment, transfers, adjustments, and reconciliation.
• Experience managing inventory accuracy, cycle counts, receiving, order fulfillment, and inventory discrepancies.
• Experience leading warehouse teams and holding employees or supervisors accountable for operational results.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to independently resolve complex operational issues.
• Excellent communication, organization, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet extensive domestic travel requirements.
• Ability to reside within practical commuting distance of Nashville or Memphis, Tennessee, with access to an airport and the Adamsville warehouse.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience overseeing multiple warehouse locations across different states.
• Experience managing warehouse managers, supervisors, or other local operational leaders.
• Background in commercial kitchen equipment, industrial equipment, appliances, building materials, or other heavy or oversized products.
• Experience developing and implementing standardized warehouse procedures across multiple facilities.
• Experience using operational KPIs to improve productivity, inventory accuracy, safety, freight performance, and cost control.
• Relevant degree in supply chain management, logistics, business, or operations, or equivalent practical experience.

Location and Travel Requirements

This position requires significant domestic travel and regular on‑site leadership across our U.S. warehouse network.

• Must reside near Nashville or Memphis, Tennessee, with practical access to an airport and the Adamsville warehouse.
• Must be willing and able to travel Monday through Friday for approximately three weeks each month.
• Travel may involve multiple overnight stays and visits to warehouse locations throughout the United States.
• Weekends are generally expected to be spent at home, with travel planned accordingly.
• The remaining week may include work at the Adamsville warehouse, other Tennessee‑based activities, and remote oversight of other locations. It is not guaranteed to be a week at home.
• Visits to Adamsville may require approximately two hours of driving each way, depending on the employee’s home location.

Candidates must be comfortable maintaining communication, making operational decisions, and managing geographically dispersed teams while traveling frequently.

What Success Looks Like

• Consistent operating standards and accountability across all warehouse locations.
• Improved inventory accuracy and fewer inventory discrepancies.
• Reliable, accurate fulfillment and reduced freight damage.
• Stronger performance visibility through NetSuite and operational reporting.
• Effective leadership and development of local warehouse managers and teams.
• Improved warehouse productivity, safety, and cost efficiency.
• A scalable warehouse operating model that supports the company's continued growth.

Compensation

The expected base salary range is 135,000-165,000 annually, plus an annual company bonus . Final compensation will depend on relevant experience, qualifications, and demonstrated expertise.