Senior Director, Distribution

Smithfield Foods • Suffolk, VA

13d

About The Position

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section. As the Senior Director of Distribution, you will lead all aspects of distribution operations, ensuring that processes are designed and implemented effectively to maximize customer satisfaction in product receipt. You will drive strategic initiatives that enhance product management, cost efficiency, and problem resolution, elevating operational excellence across the organization. You will bring a strong foundation in operations management, financial strategy, P&L ownership, and project execution, using your expertise to define and guide the company’s strategic direction. Additionally, you will cultivate talent development, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and lean continuous improvement that empowers teams and strengthens business performance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university and 12+ years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• 5+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development required.
• Minimum of 5+ years’ experience with DC network and warehouse optimization.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence the organization at the most senior levels.
• Demonstrated financial acumen, strategic thinking, project leadership, and talent development.
• The ability to work through complex, unstructured problems.
• Capable of communicating and expressing ideas clearly and concisely, in both written and verbal formats.
• High level of organizational planning, teamwork, analytical reasoning, and adaptability.
• Proven success leading complex commercial negotiations.
• Extensive knowledge of warehouse and facility management.
• Background in SAP and WMS computer systems.
• Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
• Must be able to travel up to 40% of the time.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s Degree preferred.
• Experience leading continuous improvement projects in manufacturing, maintenance, supply chain, distribution or engineering leadership role, preferred.
• Lean training is preferred.
• Experience with procurement in the warehousing and outside cold storage spaces is a plus

Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning and Execution: You will define and lead the strategic direction for distribution operations, overseeing the analytical team to drive data-driven decision-making that enhances efficiency and performance. You will develop and execute high-level strategic initiatives, advising senior management on long-term distribution planning and optimization.
• Operational Leadership and Optimization: You will lead and oversee the seamless operation of distribution centers, cold storage facilities, and plant warehouses, ensuring they align with cost, service, and quality objectives. You will strategically maximize storage utilization across leased and owned locations, optimizing space allocation for peak efficiency. Additionally, you will establish and refine global supply chain policies and procedures, driving cost reductions, operational agility, and enhanced customer satisfaction.
• P&L Ownership: You will own the full P&L for Smithfield’s DC’s and outside cold storage network. You will partner with finance to design initiatives to meet or exceed AOP targets.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement: You will drive cross-functional collaboration, partnering with product management and scheduling teams to optimize product placement and implement inventory control measures that reduce waste and inefficiencies. You will work closely with transportation, customer service, and distribution teams, refining logistics strategies to prevent stock outages and enhance delivery efficiency. Additionally, you will foster strategic partnerships both internally and externally, ensuring seamless integration across departments while strengthening stakeholder relationships.
• Leadership: Drives a positive employee experience through leadership by way of employee development and coaching.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees