Operations Initiatives Manager

Description:

As the Manager, Operations Initiatives, you'll serve as a trusted partner to the Site Director, leading high-impact projects and site-wide initiatives that improve operational performance, workforce readiness, employee engagement, safety, and business outcomes.

In this highly visible leadership role, you'll act as an extension of site leadership, helping shape the future of the distribution center through cross-functional collaboration, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. You'll oversee key support functions, beginning with Training Operations, while leading strategic initiatives that support both site and regional priorities.

Success in this role requires a strong ability to influence without direct authority, lead change, develop talent, and deliver measurable results across multiple business functions. You will also have the opportunity to represent the site during regional and enterprise-wide initiatives and serve on behalf of the Site Director when needed.

What You'll Do

 Lead Strategic Initiatives & Special Projects 

 Serve as the Site Director's designee for major operational initiatives and special projects. 
 Lead site-wide projects from planning and implementation through sustainment and results measurement. 
 Act on behalf of the Site Director in their absence, supporting operational decisions and stakeholder engagements. 
 Build and lead cross-functional teams across Operations, Human Resources, Safety, Transportation, Inventory Management, and other support functions. 
 Establish initiative priorities, timelines, resource plans, and execution strategies. 
 Track project performance and key success metrics, providing updates, risk assessments, and recommendations to site and regional leadership. 
 Represent the distribution center during regional and enterprise program rollouts, ensuring successful local adoption and execution. 

 Develop Leaders & Build High-Performing Teams 

 Lead, coach, and develop supervisors, associates, and initiative team members across assigned functions. 
 Set clear performance expectations and provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and development opportunities. 
 Foster a culture of accountability, inclusion, engagement, and continuous improvement. 
 Support succession planning efforts and help prepare future leaders for advancement opportunities. 
 Directly manage exempt and/or non-exempt leaders, including Training Supervisors and other operational support leaders. 

 Drive Training & Workforce Readiness 

 Lead training operations to deliver a consistent, engaging, and standardized onboarding experience. 
 Ensure training programs support operational readiness, productivity goals, and safety compliance requirements. 
 Evaluate program effectiveness through operational performance metrics and associate feedback. 
 Partner with operational leaders to identify workforce development opportunities and training needs. 
 Support implementation of new processes, initiatives, and best practices across the site. 

 Support Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement 

 Manage day-to-day activities within assigned operational support functions and active projects. 
 Allocate staffing and resources to support business priorities and operational requirements. 
 Identify and implement opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, service levels, and operational effectiveness. 
 Lead continuous improvement efforts utilizing Lean principles and structured problem-solving methodologies. 
 Support operational support programs that may include training, sanitation, salvage, and other business-critical functions. 

 Champion Safety, Compliance & Performance 

 Promote and model a safety-first culture across all areas of responsibility. 
 Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. 
 Hold team members accountable for performance, attendance, quality, and behavioral standards. 
 Support performance management and corrective action processes when necessary. 
 Maintain accurate compliance, training, and operational documentation and records. 

 Partner Across the Business 

 Collaborate with internal stakeholders to support operational objectives and strategic priorities. 
 Analyze site performance metrics and provide insights and recommendations to leadership. 
 Develop action plans that improve productivity, quality, engagement, and cost effectiveness. 
 Support labor planning, budget management, and resource allocation for assigned projects and functions. 
 Remove barriers, align resources, and help drive successful execution of business initiatives. 

What You'll Bring

 Education 

 High school diploma or equivalent required. 
 Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations Management, Human Resources, Organizational Development, or a related field strongly preferred. 

Experience

 5 to 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in distribution, logistics, manufacturing, operations, or a related environment. 
 Experience leading across multiple departments or functional areas. 
 Proven success leading supervisors, managers, or other leaders and driving team performance. 
 Demonstrated experience managing strategic initiatives, special projects, or formal project/program management efforts with measurable business results. 
 Experience overseeing training operations, employee development, or operational support functions preferred.