Director of Warehouse & Transportation Operations

Role: Director of Warehouse & Transportation Operations
Location: Holtsville, NY   
Hybrid?  Fully on-site
Salary: $165-175k
Keys/must haves:  

• 8-10 years of warehouse, distribution, transportation, or logistics experience REQUIRED
• At least 5 years of supervisory experience REQUIRED
• Strong knowledge of warehouse operations, and transportation REQUIRED
• Experience using WMS, TMS, & ERP systems REQUIRED 

Other notes:

• Really need strong supervisory experience – they will be overseeing all 3 shifts of warehouse  (around 40 people total)
• Overseeing a 24/7 operation – this role will be day shift but from time-to-time they will need to be flexible

Position Summary
The Director of Warehouse and Transportation Operations is responsible for the overall performance, safety, efficiency, and continuous improvement of the company’s warehouse, transportation, fleet, maintenance, and facility operations supporting a distributor of groceries, dairy, and frozen and refrigerated foods.
This role leads a 24-hour, Sunday through Friday operation and is accountable for productivity, labor utilization, service levels, operating costs, inventory accuracy, safety, and team performance.
Responsibilities

• Direct daily warehouse, transportation, fleet, maintenance, receiving, picking, loading, and facility operations.
• Lead warehouse and transportation managers, supervisors, dispatch, maintenance, and other operational staff.
• Ensure efficient staffing, scheduling, labor utilization, and resource allocation across all shifts.
• Establish, track, and improve key performance metrics, including warehouse productivity, inventory accuracy, picking accuracy, overtime, cost per case, cost per delivery, on-time delivery, route efficiency, fleet utilization, and safety.
• Develop corrective action plans when performance falls below expectations.
• Continuously analyze workflows, identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies, perform root-cause analysis, and implement process improvements.
• Develop and maintain operating procedures, policies, and performance standards.
• Maintain a strong culture of accountability, safety, continuous improvement, and customer service.
• Conduct regular management and staff meetings and maintain visibility across all shifts.
• Conduct and document monthly safety and facility inspections and ensure identified deficiencies are corrected.
• Oversee transportation safety, fleet maintenance, vehicle inspections, repairs, and applicable DOT/FMCSA compliance.
• Ensure proper warehouse safety, sanitation, inventory control, and facility standards, including compliance with food safety and cold chain requirements (HACCP/SQF principles and temperature control for dairy, frozen, and refrigerated product).
• Own the weekly labor incentive and bonus process end-to-end — reviewing selector/replenisher/loader incentive reporting, resolving discrepancies, and ensuring accurate, timely payroll submission.
• Lead the implementation of new operational systems, technologies, programs, and initiatives.
• Manage warehouse, transportation, fleet, and maintenance operating expenses and participate in budgeting and capital planning.
• Review and validate operational invoices and expenses.
• Develop operational plans for seasonal peaks, volume changes, staffing shortages, equipment failures, and other disruptions.
• Work closely with Sales, Purchasing, Finance, Customer Service, and Human Resources to resolve operational issues and improve service.
• Recruit, coach, develop, and evaluate operational managers and supervisors.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 8-10 years of warehouse, distribution, transportation, or logistics experience, ideally including food, grocery, or other perishable/cold-chain distribution.
• Minimum of 5 years of management or senior supervisory experience.
• Experience managing a multi-shift warehouse operation.
• Strong knowledge of warehouse operations, transportation, fleet management, inventory control, and labor management.
• Experience with WMS, TMS, ERP, routing, and scanning systems.
• Strong analytical, data interpretation, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage KPIs and drive measurable operational improvement.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and follow-through skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel.
• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or other continuous improvement methodologies preferred.
• Knowledge of warehouse safety and transportation/DOT compliance preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred, given the diversity of the warehouse workforce.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Warehouse environment including regular exposure to cooler (35–45°F) and freezer (0°F and below) conditions.
• Ability to walk warehouse floors for extended periods and occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.

Schedule
This position oversees a 24-hour operation running Sunday through Friday.
The Director will primarily work during daytime business hours but is expected to make regular visits across all operating shifts, including evening and overnight shifts, to meet with employees and management, review performance, address operational issues, and maintain visibility throughout the operation.
Availability outside normal business hours is required when significant operational issues arise.

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