Senior Principal, Distribution Optimization
About The Position
The Senior Principal, Distribution Optimization develops and executes the enterprise distribution strategy to improve network efficiency, service performance, inventory flow, labor productivity, scalability, and cost-to-serve across the distribution and fulfillment network. The role leads the design, optimization, and transformation of distribution operations, facilities, processes, systems, and operating models to support current and future business growth. The position evaluates distribution network configuration, facility footprint, automation opportunities, third-party logistics (3PL) strategies, and outsource-versus-insource operating models. It develops business cases, leads network and facility optimization initiatives, oversees implementation of transformational solutions, and establishes governance frameworks to deliver measurable operational and financial results. Working with operations, supply chain, customer logistics, procurement, finance, planning, and technology stakeholders, the role drives continuous improvement and long-term capability development across the distribution network. Day-to-day warehouse operations, execution, labor management, customer service delivery, and operational performance remain the responsibility of regional logistics operations organizations.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field.
- 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in distribution, warehousing, fulfillment, logistics, supply chain, network design, or related disciplines.
- Demonstrated experience leading distribution network and facility optimization initiatives.
- Experience evaluating and implementing 3PL operating models, automation technologies, and distribution systems.
- Strong analytical, financial, and business case development capabilities.
- Proven success leading large-scale cross-functional transformation initiatives.
Nice To Haves
- Master's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations, Logistics, or Business Administration.
- APICS/ASCM CSCP, CPIM, CLTD, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or equivalent professional certifications.
- Experience leading enterprise-wide optimization, transformation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Experience operating within complex, multi-site, global supply chain networks.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute the enterprise distribution optimization roadmap.
- Design and optimize distribution networks to support growth, service, and profitability objectives.
- Evaluate facility footprint, capacity requirements, inventory positioning, and customer service strategies.
- Conduct network studies and modeling to optimize service and cost performance; develop cost-to-serve models and lead long-range distribution planning.
- Evaluate and recommend internally managed, outsourced, 3PL, and hybrid distribution operating models.
- Lead outsource-versus-insource assessments for warehousing, fulfillment, value-added services, and distribution support functions.
- Develop business cases for network and operating model changes and establish governance frameworks and performance expectations for strategic distribution partners.
- Develop the enterprise warehouse automation strategy and evaluate robotics, automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), warehouse execution technologies, and material handling solutions.
- Lead facility optimization and capacity improvement initiatives; drive implementation of operational technologies that improve productivity and service.
- Support capital planning and investment prioritization decisions.
- Establish the distribution technology roadmap and partner with IT to optimize WMS, automation control systems, inventory visibility, and reporting platforms.
- Drive system standardization and integration across the network and identify opportunities to use analytics and digital technologies to improve performance.
- Develop distribution KPI frameworks and executive reporting.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on labor productivity, inventory flow, service performance, and facility utilization.
- Analyze network and facility performance, identify opportunities to reduce operating costs while improving customer service, and measure and communicate optimization program benefits.
- Partner with Operations, Customer Logistics, Procurement, Finance, Planning, and IT.
- Lead cross-functional network optimization and transformation projects; present strategic recommendations and business cases to executive leadership.
- Drive change management and organizational adoption of new capabilities and processes, and build long-term distribution optimization capabilities across the organization.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
