Director of Warehouse Operations & Logistics

Director of Warehouse Operations & Logistics : Location: Joliet, IL

We're looking for a high-ownership, entrepreneurial Director of Warehouse Operations & Logistics to run day-to-day warehouse and logistics operations for a growing company. This is not a desk job and not a corporate "middle manager" role.

You will own execution - people, process, inventory, and transportation - with clear KPIs, real authority to improve systems, and direct impact on profitability and customer satisfaction.

This role starts hands-on and execution-focused , and evolves as processes tighten and the operation matures - allowing more time for planning, analysis, optimization, and strategic cost control.

If you thrive wearing multiple hats, building structure, and treating operations like a business within a business, this role is for you.

What You'll Own (Your Scorecard):

You are accountable for performance across these core KPIs:

• On-time, in-full (OTIF) shipping
• Inventory accuracy & cycle count variance
• Labor productivity & overtime control
• Freight and transportation cost per order / per pound
• Transportation cost variance vs. expected / quoted
• Safety, cleanliness, and SOP compliance
• Order accuracy & quality errors

You will have the authority - and expectation - to improve these metrics.

The Role (How You'll Spend Your Time):

This is a hands-on leadership role with increasing strategic responsibility over time .

• You will spend significant time on the warehouse floor early on:
• Leading by example
• Coaching associates and supervisors
• Removing bottlenecks
• Enforcing SOPs and safety standards
• Establishing consistent execution and accountability
• As processes, training, and KPIs stabilize, your focus will increasingly shift to:
• Planning and optimization
• Data analysis and reporting
• Transportation strategy and cost control
• Continuous improvement initiatives

You are expected to flex your time based on what the operation needs , not a fixed schedule.

Key Responsibilities:

People & Leadership

• Lead, train, and hold warehouse associates accountable to clear standards
• Run daily huddles to align on priorities, volume, and performance targets
• Build a culture of ownership, safety, and continuous improvement
• Ensure labor compliance (breaks, lunches, scheduling)
• Identify skill gaps and implement training programs that reduce dependency on constant supervision

Warehouse Operations

• Oversee all warehouse functions: receiving, put-away, inventory control, picking, packing, and shipping
• Ensure accurate, on-time order fulfillment
• Perform and manage cycle counts; maintain high WMS accuracy
• Conduct regular quality audits on inbound and outbound orders
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe facility aligned with SOPs

Transportation, Logistics & Cost Control

• Own inbound and outbound transportation strategy, including domestic and ocean freight
• Manage carrier relationships across parcel, LTL, FTL, and ocean transportation
• Understand and manage all transportation-related costs and accessorials , including:
• Fuel surcharges
• Detention, demurrage, and port fees
• Accessorial charges and pass-through costs
• Create and maintain auditing processes to ensure freight invoices match contracted rates, quotes, and expected costs
• Bid out freight, select carriers, and negotiate cost-effective and reliable rates
• Create ASNs, loads, and BOLs; ensure compliance with customer routing and documentation requirements
• Actively identify transportation cost savings and eliminate billing variances
• Partner with purchasing and sales to align inventory flow, inbound timing, and outbound commitments

Continuous Improvement & Analysis

• Identify inefficiencies and implement process improvements across warehouse and transportation
• Improve SOPs, layouts, workflows, and carrier performance
• Track KPIs, analyze trends, and report results transparently
• Build repeatable systems that reduce errors, cost leakage, and manual effort
• Treat the operation like a business within the business

Who Thrives in This Role

• You like owning outcomes , not just tasks
• You're comfortable making decisions and being accountable for results
• You enjoy building structure where it doesn't fully exist yet
• You think in terms of cost, efficiency, and scalability
• You prefer a smaller, agile environment over heavy bureaucracy
• You can shift between the floor and analysis without losing effectiveness

Qualifications

• 3+ years of warehouse and/or logistics leadership experience
• Strong understanding of inventory control, WMS, and fulfillment operations
• Solid working knowledge of transportation, including ocean freight and associated fees
• Experience managing carriers, freight spend, and invoice auditing
• Comfortable working hands-on in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency with WMS systems (Katana preferred) and Microsoft Office
• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent experience considered
• Forklift / reach truck certification preferred or ability to obtain

Compensation & Growth

• Base salary: $90,000-$110,000 , depending on experience
• Performance bonus up to 10% of base tied to: OTIF shipping, Inventory accuracy, Labor efficiency & overtime control, Transportation and freight cost reduction, Invoice accuracy and variance elimination
• Health and wellness benefits
• Paid time off
• Real opportunity to grow responsibility, scope, and influence as the company scales

Why This Role Is Different

• Clear KPIs and real ownership - not micromanagement
• Authority to improve processes and build systems
• Direct impact on transportation costs, service levels, and profitability
• Leadership visibility and a genuine growth runway
• A chance to build, optimize, and scale , not just maintain

If you're looking for a role where you can take ownership, wear multiple hats, and run warehouse and logistics operations like a business - we want to hear from you!