Director, Outbound Warehouse Operations

HarperCollins Publishers • Brownsburg, IN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

HarperCollins Publishers is opening a 1.6 million-square-foot distribution center in Brownsburg, Indiana, and is seeking a Director, Outbound Warehouse Operations to help establish and lead the operation. The role begins with approximately 2–3 months of Warehouse Management System (Manhattan Active) testing and readiness work across people, processes, and systems. It then transitions to training and leading managers, supervisors, and employees, followed by full leadership of Outbound Operations after go-live.

The Director provides business direction and mentorship to distribution center leaders and owns expense management and service performance for the assigned area. The position oversees a team of more than 100 employees, balancing operational performance with corporate and regulatory compliance and customer service. The role also contributes to the site leadership team and supports a positive, engaging workplace culture.

Requirements

• 8 to 10 years of progressive leadership experience in a large-scale, multi-shift warehouse, distribution, or fulfillment operation.
• 3 to 5 years of experience 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.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills to solve 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 development of 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 department expense plans and targets, operational performance, improvement plans, and labor management.
• Drive daily performance accountability 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 in 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, efficiency, and cost.
• Support compliance with policies, procedures, safety rules, and government regulations, and maintain and coordinate distribution center security.
• Participate in Warehouse Management System testing and drive readiness across people, processes, and systems.
• Train and lead managers, supervisors, and employees, then lead Outbound Operations following system go-live.
• Provide direction and mentorship to distribution center leaders and take ownership of expense management and service performance for the assigned area.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package covering physical health, retirement and savings, caregiving, emotional wellbeing, transportation, and other benefits.
• Elective benefits employees may select to fit their needs and personal situations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director