Senior Director, Operational Excellence & Projects

iHerb•Irvine, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Director of Operational Excellence and Projects will be fully responsible for large scale Supply Chain projects, including the opening of new iHerb fulfillment centers, driving Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement at iHerb, and the primary responsibility for the administration of iHerb’s third-party logistics (3PL) network. Candidates will be responsible for the opening and closing facilities from both a management and operational level as well as taking the initiative for strategic projects that impact the Supply Chain organization. Scope will also include the daily management of Labor Management within the iHerb facilities and the management of the network of 3PL contracts that iHerb currently or will use. Candidates will establish a culture of process improvement in the distribution centers and enable a strong project management foundation within the Operational teams. The Senior Director of Operational Excellence and Projects will work with his/her direct reports and the Operations teams to improve efficiency, develop, maintain, and track labor standards to reduce costs. The individual’s expertise will also be used to develop and implement regional and national projects and strategies, supporting iHerb's global fulfillment network. This role involves managing the planning, development, and deployment of supply chain projects, leading supply chain planning efforts including capacity modeling, network modeling, and capital budgeting. It also includes identifying capacity impacts to distribution centers, assisting with transportation optimization initiatives, and analyzing cost reductions through process improvements. The position oversees and assists with the design of distribution facilities, including new facilities, facility retrofits, conveyor changes, and other material handling equipment changes, while maintaining relationships with key automation/material handling vendors. The Senior Director will identify and implement design changes that will improve efficiencies, capacity & throughput, and design department layouts and product flows in the distribution center, incorporating sustainability and energy-efficiency goals. Furthermore, the role involves developing preferred methods/standard operating procedures for the warehouse, implementing and supporting a labor management program and software configuration, and developing/maintaining multi-variable labor standards utilizing modern WMS data. The role also includes troubleshooting Labor Management System and interface issues, leading the engineering team to identify, define, and implement process improvement opportunities, and introducing improvement methodologies like Lean or Six Sigma to drive change across people, processes, systems, and equipment. Finally, the Senior Director will lead direct reports, systems, and projects to achieve unit goals, work with cross-functional teams, create an effective work environment, guide others in resolving complex issues, and serve as an expert within the discipline.

Requirements

Proven results in opening and closing fulfillment centers.
Demonstrated experience in working closely with automation vendors, in-sourced and outsourced engineering teams.
Familiarity with 3PL landscape.
Analytical, planning and organizing, sound judgment, decision making, and leadership skills.
Proven project management/leadership skills.
Experience with work measurement & performance management programs.
Experience with conveyor design and optimization.
Experience with large project management.
Experience with warehouse systems.
Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Office products with an emphasis in Excel and Access.
Proficient with AutoCAD.
Expertise in maintaining & troubleshooting conveyor systems (e.g., sensors & controls).
Experience with labor reporting systems.
Proficient at utilizing labor data to cost-justify capital expenditure and process change ROI.
Ability to analyze and provide solutions for cost reduction through process improvements and cost/benefit analysis.
Ability to drive process improvements and work within a team to resolve problems.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills, professional attitude, and approach (and the ability to interact with individuals at various levels of the organization, up and down).
Bachelor's degree in Industrial or Mechanical engineering.
Minimum of twelve (12) plus years of experience as an engineer in retail and/or e-commerce distribution.
Able to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve problems quickly using sound judgment, poise, and diplomacy.
Ability to use judgment and reasoning skills, and determine when to escalate issues, as required, on time.
Multi-site responsibility.
Some travel is required, averaging roughly 30 to 40%.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree
Experience with WMS integration, Dematic, and Bastian WCS
Lean/Six Sigma certification

Responsibilities

Be fully responsible for large scale Supply Chain projects, including the opening of new iHerb fulfillment centers.
Drive Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement at iHerb.
Administer iHerb’s third-party logistics (3PL) network.
Be responsible for the opening and closing facilities from both a management and operational level.
Take the initiative for strategic projects that impact the Supply Chain organization.
Manage Labor Management within the iHerb facilities.
Manage the network of 3PL contracts.
Establish a culture of process improvement in the distribution centers.
Enable a strong project management foundation within the Operational teams.
Work with direct reports and Operations teams to improve efficiency.
Develop, maintain, and track labor standards to reduce costs.
Develop and implement regional and national projects and strategies, supporting iHerb's global fulfillment network.
Manage the planning, development, and deployment of supply chain projects.
Lead supply chain planning efforts, including capacity modeling, network modeling, and capital budgeting.
Identify capacity impacts to distribution centers associated with varying parameters within the supply chain, ensuring alignment with global inventory placement.
Assist with transportation optimization initiatives and analyze cost reductions through process improvements.
Oversee and assist with the design of distribution facilities, including new facilities, facility retrofits, conveyor changes, and other material handling equipment changes.
Maintain relationships with key automation/material handling vendors.
Identify and implement design changes that will improve efficiencies, capacity & throughput.
Design and recommend department layouts and product flows in the distribution center, incorporating sustainability and energy-efficiency goals.
Develop preferred methods/standard operating procedures for the warehouse in conjunction with operational support.
Implement and support a labor management program and software configuration.
Develop and maintain multi-variable labor standards utilizing modern WMS (Warehouse Management System) data.
Troubleshoot Labor Management System and interface issues (as needed).
Lead the engineering team to identify, define, and implement process improvement opportunities.
Introduce and adapt improvement methodologies as appropriate to drive change (ex., Lean or Six Sigma).
Address all aspects of change, including people, processes, systems, and equipment.
Lead direct reports, systems, and projects to achieve unit goals in accordance with company policies and practices.
Work with cross-functional teams to drive results to complete complex operational projects.
Create an effective work environment by developing a common vision, setting clear objectives, expecting teamwork, recognizing outstanding performance, and maintaining open communication.
Guide others in resolving complex issues in their own specialized area.
Solve complex problems with implication on cross-functional business processes and outcomes.
Serve as an expert within discipline.
Conduct ergonomic evaluations, recommending and implementing improvements to work area designs.

Benefits

Medical insurance programs
Dental insurance programs
Vision insurance programs
Basic life insurance programs
401(k) plan
Time Off
Paid Sick Leave
Paid holidays throughout the calendar year
Restrict Stock Units (may be awarded)
Annual bonuses (may be received)
Programs designed to help employees and their families stay healthy, live well, and plan for their financial future
Options and upgrades with flexibility, protection, and security