Distribution & Logistics Network Program Manager

Columbia Sportswear Company•Portland, OR

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Distribution & Logistics Network Program Manager is a hybrid role based at the company’s headquarters near Portland, Oregon. The current expectation is to work onsite four days per week, subject to change based on business needs and company discretion. The role reports to the Sr. Director of Operational Excellence, Capability, and Engineering for Supply Chain and serves as the primary program leader for distribution technology, warehouse automation, and logistics transformation initiatives. The position leads large-scale implementations across company-operated distribution centers and third-party logistics (3PL) partner facilities. Programs may include warehouse management, control, and execution systems; labor management systems; warehouse automation; material handling systems; robotics; and related supply chain technologies. The role spans the full program lifecycle, including business case development, vendor selection and RFI/RFP management, solution design, testing, operational readiness, deployment, stabilization, and continuous improvement. The Program Manager partners with Operations, Supply Chain, Information Technology, Engineering, automation providers, implementation partners, and 3PL operators to improve service levels, distribution efficiency, operational risk, scalability, and long-term supply chain performance. The role also works with the Continuous Improvement Manager to provide governance, visibility, and executive reporting for post-implementation optimization initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or applicable certification and experience.
At least 8 years of supply chain strategic project or program experience combined with distribution and logistics initiatives.
Experience working with third-party logistics providers.
Comprehensive understanding of project management methodologies, including waterfall and Agile principles, and how they are applied in a workplace culture.
Experience working with other cultures in a business setting and awareness of and sensitivity to cultural differences.
Experience implementing Manhattan Associates, Blue Yonder, SAP EWM, or similar WMS platforms.
Experience with warehouse automation technologies, including AutoStore, ASRS, robotics, sortation, conveyor systems, or goods-to-person solutions.
PMP, PgMP, Agile, or comparable project management certification, or work experience using these frameworks.
Strong PMO and Gantt-based project management experience and a proven track record leading multiple concurrent projects.
Ability to lead and influence without direct supervisory authority and to lead strategic cross-functional projects while managing risks and resource requirements.
Ability to collaborate in a fast-paced environment and prioritize tasks with minimal supervisory involvement.
Expertise in strategic planning, financial planning, forecasting, and tracking.
Ability to develop influential, collaborative relationships across teams, functions, and organizational levels.
Ability to provide a clear vision and sense of urgency to mobilize teams and achieve business results with minimal supervision.
Strong facilitation, coaching, and mentoring skills.

Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end execution of strategic supply chain, distribution, and logistics programs that deliver measurable business value and operational improvements.
Build and maintain partnerships across business, operations, technology, engineering, and logistics teams in company-operated and third-party distribution environments.
Manage multiple complex programs simultaneously in a global, matrixed organization, balancing scope, schedule, budget, and resource constraints.
Develop and maintain program deliverables, including business cases, roadmaps, implementation plans, milestone tracking, status reports, risk registers, and dependency management.
Partner with organizational change management teams on stakeholder analysis, impact assessments, communications, training, and adoption activities.
Plan and facilitate workshops, design sessions, steering committees, and cross-functional working sessions.
Monitor program metrics, analytics, and KPIs; identify risks; support proactive issue resolution and data-driven decision-making.
Escalate complex program issues and recommend or implement corrective actions to improve delivery outcomes.
Prepare executive-level communications, status reports, and presentations for senior leadership and steering committees.
Lead distribution technology, warehouse automation, and logistics transformation initiatives across company-operated and 3PL distribution centers.
Coordinate business planning, operational design, and implementation readiness for WMS, WCS, WES, LMS, and warehouse automation solutions.
Coordinate operational readiness with distribution center leadership and 3PL operators, including business process documentation, training, cutover planning, communications, and post-go-live support.
Orchestrate evaluation and selection of supply chain technologies, warehouse automation solutions, and 3PL providers through RFI, RFP, proof-of-concept, and vendor assessment processes.
Coordinate business participation in solution design, conference room pilots, system testing, UAT, process validation, and go-live readiness.
Support distribution network expansion, facility start-ups, automation deployments, and strategic transformation initiatives.
Coordinate implementation of AutoStore, goods-to-person solutions, ASRS, robotics, conveyor systems, sortation systems, and material handling equipment.
Facilitate SIT, UAT, operational readiness testing, defect management, and go-live validation.
Partner with the Continuous Improvement Manager to establish governance for post-implementation improvement initiatives, business outcomes, and operational performance metrics.
Maintain visibility into continuous improvement portfolios and ensure action plans, dependencies, risks, and expected benefits are documented and communicated to stakeholders.
Lead and influence without direct reports; provide direction and act as a resource for less experienced colleagues.
Prioritize team and individual tasks, respond to urgent requests, and mobilize cross-functional teams to achieve targeted business results.
Travel domestically or globally, estimated at 10% to 25%.

Benefits

401(k) plan with a generous company match.
Medical insurance.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Life insurance.
Disability insurance.
Flexible spending accounts.
Health savings account.
Voluntary benefits, including accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and legal services.
Free, confidential 24/7/365 counseling through EAP+.
Wellness benefits.
Employee discounts.
Generous time-off program.