Sr. Manager - Operations

Varsity Brands•Memphis, TN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sr. Manager – Operations is a senior operations leadership role responsible for the integrated performance of multiple functional areas within a high-volume, multi-shift distribution and light manufacturing environment. The role leads through Managers and Supervisors and has overall accountability for large frontline teams and end-to-end operational performance across safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost, inventory accuracy, employee engagement, and customer fulfillment. The Sr. Manager partners with senior leadership to translate business strategy into cross-functional operating plans, standardize processes, develop leadership bench strength, and drive continuous improvement. This is an onsite role at 5300 Hickory Hill Rd, Ste 107, Memphis, TN 38141, with scheduled hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The position does not offer relocation assistance; candidates must be able to work at the designated location without company-sponsored relocation. The role may also require supporting multiple shifts, overtime, weekends, schedule changes, and peak-season needs as business dictates.

Requirements

Strong senior-leadership presence and ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
Demonstrated ability to lead through Managers and Supervisors and develop leaders of leaders.
Strong strategic thinking, business acumen, and operational execution capability.
Proven ability to lead large, complex, multi-function, multi-shift operations and drive change.
Strong financial acumen, including labor planning, forecasting, controllable cost management, and resource prioritization.
Advanced analytical, problem-solving, and cross-functional decision-making skills.
Excellent communication, coaching, talent-development, and stakeholder-management skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
Ability to manage competing priorities and lead effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
Demonstrated commitment to Varsity Brands values of Service, Passion, Integrity, Respect, Innovation, and Transparency.
7–10 years of experience in warehouse, distribution, manufacturing, and/or production operations.
5+ years of progressive operations leadership experience, including experience leading Managers and other leaders of leaders in a high-volume, multi-shift environment.
Experience with Lean, continuous improvement, warehouse optimization, standard work, and operational metrics such as GEMBA.
Experience managing integrated performance across safety, quality, delivery, productivity, inventory, labor, cost, and people.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and perform repetitive movements in warehouse and production environments.
Ability to regularly lift approximately 15–35 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to work in non-climate-controlled environments when required.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Operations, Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
Experience with ERP and/or WMS systems such as SAP, AS400, or Manhattan.
Bilingual English/Spanish capability.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership across multiple warehouse and/or production functions in a large, complex, high-volume operation.
Lead through Managers and Supervisors, with accountability for approximately 150–200+ team members across multiple shifts and functions.
Own operational performance across safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost, inventory accuracy, employee engagement, and customer fulfillment.
Ensure product flows seamlessly from inbound receiving through production and outbound shipping across assigned functions.
Set cross-functional priorities, operating rhythms, performance expectations, and accountability mechanisms.
Make cross-functional operational decisions and escalate site, network, or enterprise risks and recommendations to senior leadership.
Champion a safety-first culture and ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, quality standards, production specifications, inventory controls, and regulatory requirements.
Review operating trends and hold Managers accountable for timely corrective action, risk mitigation, and sustained performance improvement.
Maintain clean, organized, compliant, and audit-ready operations.
Coach and develop Managers and other leaders of leaders, and build leadership bench strength and succession plans.
Establish consistent expectations for performance management, employee development, attendance, timekeeping, communication, and leader follow-through.
Foster trust, accountability, inclusion, collaboration, and open communication across the organization.
Resolve escalated employee concerns and workplace issues in partnership with Human Resources and senior leadership.
Lead organizational planning, talent reviews, development planning, and succession-readiness initiatives.
Partner with senior leadership to develop operational strategy and translate business objectives into integrated plans, resource requirements, priorities, and measurable results.
Own labor planning, staffing strategy, overtime, and controllable cost performance.
Develop operating plans and forecasts with senior leadership and Finance, and hold Managers accountable for approved plans.
Evaluate operational trade-offs involving service, capacity, labor, quality, inventory, and cost, and recommend actions that support business priorities.
Identify resource, technology, equipment, and capital needs and provide fact-based recommendations to senior leadership.
Communicate performance, priorities, risks, decisions, and strategic recommendations across all levels.
Drive Lean manufacturing, warehouse optimization, and operational excellence initiatives across multiple functions.
Develop, standardize, and improve SOPs, standard work, workflows, and operational best practices across departments and shifts.
Use data, metrics, and GEMBA practices to identify systemic improvement opportunities and implement measurable changes.
Lead cross-functional initiatives to improve efficiency, quality, service, inventory control, employee experience, and cost.
Partner with Supply Chain, Planning, Customer Service, Human Resources, Finance, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and other stakeholders.
Lead large-scale operational changes and ensure effective communication, adoption, and sustainment.
Perform other duties as assigned.