Manager Operations Initiatives

Manager, Operations Initiatives

Are you a strategic operations leader who enjoys driving meaningful change and delivering results across a complex, fast-paced environment? As the Manager, Operations Initiatives, you'll serve as a trusted partner to the Site Director, leading high-impact projects and site-wide initiatives that improve operational performance, workforce readiness, employee engagement, safety, and business outcomes. In this highly visible leadership role, you'll act as an extension of site leadership, helping shape the future of the distribution center through cross-functional collaboration, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. You'll oversee key support functions, beginning with Training Operations, while leading strategic initiatives that support both site and regional priorities. Success in this role requires a strong ability to influence without direct authority, lead change, develop talent, and deliver measurable results across multiple business functions. You will also have the opportunity to represent the site during regional and enterprise-wide initiatives and serve on behalf of the Site Director when needed.

What You'll Do

Lead Strategic Initiatives & Special Projects

• Serve as the Site Director's designee for major operational initiatives and special projects.
• Lead site-wide projects from planning and implementation through sustainment and results measurement.
• Act on behalf of the Site Director in their absence, supporting operational decisions and stakeholder engagements.
• Build and lead cross-functional teams across Operations, Human Resources, Safety, Transportation, Inventory Management, and other support functions.
• Establish initiative priorities, timelines, resource plans, and execution strategies.
• Track project performance and key success metrics, providing updates, risk assessments, and recommendations to site and regional leadership.
• Represent the distribution center during regional and enterprise program rollouts, ensuring successful local adoption and execution.

Develop Leaders & Build High-Performing Teams

• Lead, coach, and develop supervisors, associates, and initiative team members across assigned functions.
• Set clear performance expectations and provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and development opportunities.
• Foster a culture of accountability, inclusion, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Support succession planning efforts and help prepare future leaders for advancement opportunities.
• Directly manage exempt and/or non-exempt leaders, including Training Supervisors and other operational support leaders.

Drive Training & Workforce Readiness

• Lead training operations to deliver a consistent, engaging, and standardized onboarding experience.
• Ensure training programs support operational readiness, productivity goals, and safety compliance requirements.
• Evaluate program effectiveness through operational performance metrics and associate feedback.
• Partner with operational leaders to identify workforce development opportunities and training needs.
• Support implementation of new processes, initiatives, and best practices across the site.

Support Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Manage day-to-day activities within assigned operational support functions and active projects.
• Allocate staffing and resources to support business priorities and operational requirements.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, service levels, and operational effectiveness.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts utilizing Lean principles and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Support operational support programs that may include training, sanitation, salvage, and other business-critical functions.

Champion Safety, Compliance & Performance

• Promote and model a safety-first culture across all areas of responsibility.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Hold team members accountable for performance, attendance, quality, and behavioral standards.
• Support performance management and corrective action processes when necessary.
• Maintain accurate compliance, training, and operational documentation and records.

Partner Across the Business

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to support operational objectives and strategic priorities.
• Analyze site performance metrics and provide insights and recommendations to leadership.
• Develop action plans that improve productivity, quality, engagement, and cost effectiveness.
• Support labor planning, budget management, and resource allocation for assigned projects and functions.
• Remove barriers, align resources, and help drive successful execution of business initiatives.

What You'll Bring

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations Management, Human Resources, Organizational Development, or a related field strongly preferred.

Experience

• 5 to 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in distribution, logistics, manufacturing, operations, or a related environment.
• Experience leading across multiple departments or functional areas.
• Proven success leading supervisors, managers, or other leaders and driving team performance.
• Demonstrated experience managing strategic initiatives, special projects, or formal project/program management efforts with measurable business results.
• Experience overseeing training operations, employee development, or operational support functions preferred.

Knowledge & Technical Expertise

• Strong understanding of distribution center operations and warehouse processes.
• Knowledge of onboarding, training delivery, and workforce development practices.
• Understanding of employee relations and performance management principles.
• Knowledge of Lean methodologies and continuous improvement practices.
• Familiarity with project and program management, planning, execution, and change management.
• Understanding of inbound, outbound, transportation, and cross-functional distribution operations.
• Knowledge of workplace safety regulations, compliance requirements, and operational best practices.
• Experience with labor planning, productivity management, and operational reporting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and distribution center operational systems.

Skills

• Strong leadership, coaching, and talent development capabilities.
• Ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Proven ability to lead change and drive adoption of new processes and initiatives.
• Ability to successfully lead cross-functional teams without direct reporting authority.
• Strong project management, planning, organization, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to analyze operational metrics and use data to drive business decisions.
• Strong facilitation, training, and knowledge-sharing capabilities.

What Makes You Stand Out

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Experience serving as a key partner to senior site leadership within a large-scale distribution, logistics, or manufacturing operation.
• Proven track record of successfully leading enterprise, regional, or site-wide strategic initiatives.
• Experience overseeing onboarding, training, workforce development, or other operational support functions.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Demonstrated ability to influence change, align stakeholders, and deliver measurable operational improvements.
• Strong background in building high-performing teams and developing future leaders.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution in a dynamic operational environment.

Additional Requirements

• Availability to support operational needs, including evenings, weekends, and peak business periods as required.
• Ability to work in environments ranging from approximately -5F to 90F+ depending on assigned areas.
• Ability to walk, stand, and work within a distribution center for extended periods.
• Ability to read and understand written instructions, operational reports, and numeric identifiers.
• Regular presence in operational areas to observe work processes, coach leaders, and support associates.

Salary

• $92,640-138,960, depending on experience.

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