Director, Outbound Warehouse Operations
About The Position
HarperCollins Publishers is opening a 1.6 million-square-foot distribution center in Brownsburg, Indiana, and is hiring a Director, Outbound Warehouse Operations to help build and lead the operation. The role begins with approximately 2–3 months of Warehouse Management System testing using Manhattan Active, supporting readiness across people, processes, and systems. After testing, the Director will train and lead managers, supervisors, and employees, then transition to leading Outbound Operations after go-live. The Director provides business direction and mentorship to distribution center leaders and takes ownership of expense management and service performance for the assigned area. The role oversees a team of more than 100 employees and balances operational performance with corporate and regulatory compliance. It also contributes to the site leadership team and helps establish a positive, engaging workplace culture.
Requirements
- 8–10 years of progressive leadership experience in a large-scale, multi-shift warehouse, distribution, or fulfillment operation, including 3–5 years at the management level.
- Strong expertise in warehouse management systems, workforce management systems, and labor planning.
- Extensive knowledge of warehousing and distribution best practices.
- Strong financial acumen and budgeting skills, including analytical and problem-solving skills to address complex problems, generate ideas, and develop creative solutions.
- Proven ability to leverage technology and automation to drive efficiency and improve supply chain performance.
- Exceptional leadership skills, including the ability to select, coach, develop, engage, and retain employees across Outbound operations.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or equivalent work experience is preferred.
Responsibilities
- Drive department physical readiness, including layout, equipment, and supplies.
- Develop and formalize standard operating procedures and training materials aligned with actual system behavior.
- Design department-level reporting to support daily execution and leadership visibility.
- Assist with developing a detailed staffing plan by department, role, and shift.
- Participate in hiring and onboarding warehouse leadership roles.
- Support Labor Management standards, reporting, and supervisor enablement.
- Assist in developing financial and operational plans for assigned teams, including departmental expense plans and targets, operational performance, improvement plans, targeted expenses, and labor management.
- Drive daily performance accountability across all areas while reinforcing a team-oriented, customer-focused approach.
- Own standardization and lead a disciplined process for identifying, testing, and verifying improvement opportunities.
- Direct talent development and lead performance management and development among management teams.
- Oversee employee relations across the Outbound team, including hiring, performance management, employee development, and training.
- Establish and maintain a positive and engaging work environment.
- Coach and mentor leaders within the assigned team and other employees.
- Monitor performance and productivity measures to maximize earnings and reduce facility expenses.
- Review and monitor standard operating procedures; observe operations and recommend improvements to accuracy, service, and costs.
- Support compliance with policies, procedures, safety rules, and government regulations, and maintain and coordinate security throughout the Distribution Center.
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefits package covering physical health, retirement and savings, caregiving, emotional wellbeing, transportation, and other needs.
- Elective benefits employees may select to fit their needs and personal situations.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
No Education Listed
