Director, Warehouse Operations (Operational Readiness) - (Brownsburg, IN Onsite)

HarperCollins Publishers • Brownsburg, IN

37d • Onsite

About The Position

This unique project-to-leadership role serves as a bridge between Operations, Warehouse Management System (Manhattan Active), and Leadership. During the initial 6–12 months, the role partners with a Business Analyst to assist with testing activities and drive readiness across people, process, and systems. After the testing period, the role transitions to Director, directly training and leading Managers, Supervisors, and employees, leveraging system and process knowledge to drive daily performance. The Director, Warehouse Operations provides high-level business direction and mentorship to Distribution Center leaders, taking full ownership of expense management and service performance for their assigned area. This vital leadership position oversees a team of 100+ employees in a 24/7, high-volume environment, balancing operational excellence with a commitment to corporate, regulatory compliance, and performance goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or equivalent experience preferred.
• 8 to 10 years of progressive leadership experience in large-scale warehouse, distribution, or fulfillment operations.
• At least 3 to 5 years at 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.
• Strong analytical/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 with the ability to select, coach, develop, engage, and retain a team of salaried and hourly employees.
• Experience managing large-scale workforces in a 24/7, high-volume environment.

Nice To Haves

• Cover letters are strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the warehouse is fully prepared to operate efficiently under the new WMS (MAWM).
• Lead and execute Unit Testing, System Integration Testing, and User Acceptance Testing.
• Identify and recommend WMS configuration and process improvements to increase operational efficiency.
• Drive department physical readiness, including layout, equipment, and supplies.
• Develop and formalize SOPs and training materials aligned to actual system behavior.
• Design department-level reporting to support daily execution and leadership visibility.
• Assist with the development of a detailed staffing plan by department, role, and shift.
• Provide slotting strategy support to improve pick efficiency and space utilization.
• Support Labor Management (LM) standards, reporting, and supervisor enablement.
• Partner with Operations and IT to resolve issues and drive go-live readiness.
• Assist in the development of financial and operational plans for assigned teams, including expense plans and targets.
• Drive daily performance accountability across all areas while reinforcing a team-oriented, customer-focused approach.
• Own standardization and lead disciplined processes for identifying, testing, and verifying improvement opportunities.
• Review and approve department and overall staffing plans.
• Responsible for talent development, providing direction for and leading performance management and development amongst management teams.
• Oversee employee relations within the Distribution Center, including hiring, performance management, employee development, and training.
• Establish and maintain a positive work environment creating engagement with Distribution Center employees.
• Coach and mentor Lead Team members as well as other Distribution Center employees.
• Monitor performance and productivity measures for the purpose of maximizing earnings and reducing expenses in the facility.
• Review and monitor standard operating procedures; make observations and recommend improvements to promote efficiency.
• Support compliance with all appropriate policies, procedures, safety rules, and government regulations; maintain and coordinate all areas of security within the Distribution Center.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and highly competitive benefits package
• Variety of physical health benefits
• Retirement and savings benefits
• Caregiving benefits
• Emotional wellbeing benefits
• Transportation benefits
• Other benefits
• Elective benefits employees may select to best fit the needs and personal situations of our diverse workforce.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Associate degree