VP, Ops Distribution & Fulfillment

Ruan Transportation Management Systems•Des Moines, IA

About The Position

The Vice President, Operations Distribution & Fulfillment provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for regional Dedicated Contract Carriage (DCC) and warehousing operations across the network. This executive is responsible for driving operational excellence, optimizing transportation and fulfillment performance, and ensuring the achievement of financial, service, and safety objectives. The role oversees distribution operations, including transportation management, dispatch, warehouse operations, fleet and facility maintenance, customer relationship management, and workforce leadership. Leveraging data-driven insights and industry best practices, the VP will enhance network efficiency, strengthen service reliability, and foster a high-performance culture across warehouse teams, drivers, and operational leadership.

Requirements

Bachelors Degree or equivalent work experience
Course(s) of Study: Logistics, Warehousing, Business, or related fields of study
10+ years Industry and management experience
Must be able to commit to Ruan's value statement by acting with integrity in everything we do.
Must be able to meet behavioral expectations and perform in alignment with our guiding principles: people first, safety focus, enduring partnerships, expectational performance, and continuous improvements.
Requires an understanding of the industry and proven ability to provide service and support. Must possess an extensive knowledge of warehousing, supply chain, and/or transportation operations. An overall understanding of the industry and a proven ability to provide service, sales, and support as required. Must have previous leadership role of growing responsibilities with proven ability in problem solving, team building, and decision making. Must be willing to commit to team work and deliver superior customer service. Must have good interpersonal and relationship management skills and demonstrate cooperation and team work in accomplishing goals and objectives. Must posses the ability to interact, communicate, and motivate with all levels of employees and management through excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to manage multiple responsibilities, listen, understand, and respond to external and internal customer needs in a timely manner. Ability to work the time necessary to complete projects or meet deadlines and have a working knowledge of MS Office products.

Responsibilities

Supervise and provide leadership to build and maintain a strong team through effective communications, recruiting, training, coaching, counseling, appraising, rewarding, developing, and succession planning. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
Develop and execute regional strategies that drive operational excellence and financial performance. Utilize data analytics and key performance indicator (KPI) reporting to lead metric-based discussions with internal stakeholders and external customers. Partner with Senior Leadership to develop and implement the annual business plan, translating corporate objectives into clear, actionable priorities. Ensure alignment, accountability, and measurable outcomes across the organization.
Own full profit and loss (P&L) responsibility for the assigned region, driving revenue growth and margin improvement. Identify and implement cost efficiencies and operational enhancements that strengthen overall financial performance. Collaborate with operational leaders to develop and manage annual operating budgets that appropriately allocate resources. Ensure financial discipline while maintaining high service levels and achieving targeted returns.
Cultivate strong relationships with internal and external customers to ensure exceptional service delivery and long-term partnerships. Regularly engage with key accounts to assess performance, identify opportunities, and address evolving needs. Monitor market conditions and customer expectations to ensure competitive, value-driven solutions. Proactively implement adjustments that enhance service quality and market position.
Lead the development and execution of safety policies and continuous improvement initiatives across all distribution and transportation operations. Promote a culture of safety, compliance, and operational discipline to protect employees, equipment, and company assets. Establish measurable safety metrics and accountability standards. Drive ongoing process improvements that enhance efficiency and reduce risk.
Design and sustain comprehensive training programs that equip employees with the skills needed to excel in their roles. Measure training effectiveness through performance outcomes and operational results. Foster leadership development and build bench strength across the organization. Identify and prepare a qualified successor to ensure leadership continuity.
Provide strategic oversight and leadership for DCC and warehousing operations within the assigned region. Ensure alignment across operation management, customer service, facility maintenance, and employee relations to achieve service and financial targets. Monitor operational performance through standardized metrics and reporting. Drive accountability and continuous improvement to optimize network efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Perform other job-related duties and special projects as required.