Director Warehouse Optimization

Flexibility Option: Hybrid option available Job Req Id: 29080 Description: Be part of a growing, successful company in an exciting and challenging field.
Border States is 100% employee-owned, which means you’re empowered to make decisions, find solutions and receive rewards for your hard work.
This position will be located in: Fargo , ND or Maple Grove, MN or Charlotte, NC or Chicago, IL or Pewaukee, WI or Nashville, TN, or Kansas City, MO or Baltimore/DC area Job Summary Leads organizational warehouse strategies focused on improving the user experience and efficiency of Border States’ logistics professionals.
Focuses on key warehouse processes, systems, technologies, and equipment that will improve organizational safety, productivity, and accuracy in daily warehouse operations.
Responsibilities Responsibilities Essential Functions Leads the overall warehouse transformation roadmap for the organization focused on improving accuracy, efficiency, inventory utilization, material flow through our facilities, safety, and utilization of warehouse space.
Develops and implements strategies to optimize warehouse productivity and efficiency in the receiving, put away, and picking processes.
Strategies to include but are not limited to warehouse slotting, bin management, warehouse taxonomy, cycle counting, inventory traceability and pick pathing.
Defines organizational warehouse best practices and standard operating procedures and works in collaboration with distribution leadership to drive standardization and adherence to defined best practices across the enterprise.
Leads enterprise strategy for warehouse technology including warehouse management systems (WMS), mobile/handheld technologies, slotting software, and automation equipment.
Collaborates closely with IT team to integrate warehouse technologies with existing systems for seamless operations.
Travels consistently to Border States branch locations to collaborate and align with distribution teams to gather feedback and help establish and modify organizational best practices in warehouse operations.
Analyzes user feedback and operational data in partnership with the Supply Chain Performance team to identify areas for improvement in warehouse user experience and productivity.
Implements initiatives to enhance the ergonomic design of warehouse workspaces and improve overall employee satisfaction.
Leads organizational slotting strategies to optimize inventory placement, reduce picking times, and minimize travel distances.
Utilizes data analytics to continuously refine slotting strategies based on demand patterns, pick productivity levels, and inventory accuracy.
Leads overall asset strategy for warehouse equipment including wire machines, racking, automation equipment, etc.
(excludes fleet assets such as forklifts).
Non-essential Functions Attends supply chain industry and training events to understand current warehouse operations trends and strategies in and outside of the distribution industry.
Collaborates with other supply chain and warehouse operations leaders in industry including other distributors, vendors, and customers.
Other duties assigned by supervisor or designate.
Qualifications Four-year degree in Industrial Distribution, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field; or equivalent years of experience required.
MBA preferred.
7+ years of experience in supply chain or operations, with a focus on warehouse operations, logistics, supply chain strategies and inventory management required.
2+ years of experience in electrical distribution or an adjacent distribution industry preferred.
Demonstrated experience leading warehouse facilities and teams required.
Experience working in a central distribution center environment preferred.
Demonstrated experience with Warehouse Management Systems, including implementation, daily operations and continues improvement preferred.
Proficiency in data analytics and BI tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or SAP BusinessObjects required.
Excellent leadership abilities, with the capacity to influence and collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams.
Demonstrated experience in developing and executing training strategies to enhance employee performance and organizational capabilities.
Ability to read, write and speak in English required.
Skills and Abilities Strategic ability to develop a clear vision with consideration to multiple inputs across the organization.
Strong knowledge of supply chain, operations, and financial systems.
Analytical mindset with the ability to leverage data to drive decision-making and process improvement.
Demonstrated ability to effectively lead change.
Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication, reading, and customer service skills are preferred with the ability to effectively plan and organize.
Ability to collaborate and problem solve with other key stakeholders.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to connect with individuals of diverse experiences and backgrounds.
Physical Requirements Frequency at which you would carry/lift in a typical day: Occasionally 0 – 33% Frequently 34 – 66% Continuously: 67 – 100% Lift from Waist: < than 10 lbs.
- Occasionally 10 to 25 lbs.
- Not at all 26 to 50 lbs.
- Not at all 51 to 75 lbs.
- Not at all 75 to 100 lbs.
- Not at all 100+ lbs.
- Not at all Lift from Floor: < than 10 lbs.
- Occasionally 10 to 25 lbs.
- Not at all 26 to 50 lbs.
- Not at all 51 to 75 lbs.
- Not at all 75 to 100 lbs.
- Not at all 100+ lbs.
- Not at all Carried for Distance: < than 10 lbs.
- Not at all 10 to 25 lbs.
- Not at all 26 to 50 lbs.
- Not at all 51 to 75 lbs.
- Not at all 75 to 100 lbs.
- Not at all 100+ lbs.
- Not at all Physical Activity Frequency at which you would do the following in a typical day: Sitting (a continuous period of being seated) - Frequently Standing (for sustained periods of time) - Occasionally Walking (moving about on foot to accomplish tasks) - Occasionally Bending/Stooping (downward and forward) - Occasionally Crawling (moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet) - Not at all Climbing/Walking Stairs (ascending or descending) - Occasionally Reaching (extending arms in any direction) - Frequently Crouching/Squatting (bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine) - Not at all Kneeling (bending legs at knee to come to rest on knee(s)) - Occasionally Balancing (maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling) - Occcasionally Repetitive Motion (substantial movement (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers) - Occasionally Trunk Rotation (movement in any direction, whether standing or sitting, with at least one foot stationary and in contact with the floor) - Occasionally Pushing/Pulling (using upper extremities to press against or draw or tug) - Occasionally Handling (applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm) - Continuously Fingering (picking, pinching, typing; working primarily with fingers and not whole hand) - Frequently Talking (expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word) - Frequently Driving (the control and operation of a fork lift) - Not at all Desk Work (tasks generally performed at a desk, including use of a computer, printer, fax machine, telephone and other office equipment) - Frequently Use of tools (safely operate equipment needed for receiving, conveying, stocking, packaging, and shipping parts) - Occasionally Hearing (perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels) - Continuously Exposure (to adverse weather & temperature conditions) - Occasionally Travel (travel needed to perform job duties) - Frequently Additional Information This job description is a summary of the job duties and responsibilities and is not intended to cover all possible job duties and is subject to change at the employer’s discretion.
Employees must be able to perform the essential job duties and satisfy job requirements either with or without a reasonable accommodation.