Senior Director, Operational Excellence & Projects

Senior Director, Operational Excellence & Projects

United States of America - Irvine, California

Job Summary:

The Senior Director of Operational Excellence and Projects will be fully responsible for large scale Supply Chain projects, including the opening of new iHerb fulfillment centers, driving Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement at iHerb, and the primary responsibility for the administration of iHerb’s third‑party logistics (3PL) network. Candidates will be responsible for the opening and closing facilities from both a management and operational level as well as taking the initiative for strategic projects that impact the Supply Chain organization. Scope will also include the daily management of Labor Management within the iHerb facilities and the management of the network of 3PL contracts that iHerb currently or will use. Candidates will establish a culture of process improvement in the distribution centers and enable a strong project management foundation within the Operational teams. The Senior Director of Operational Excellence and Projects will work with his/her direct reports and the Operations teams to improve efficiency, develop, maintain, and track labor standards to reduce costs. The individual’s expertise will also be used to develop and implement regional and national projects and strategies, supporting iHerb's global fulfillment network.

Job Expectations

Planning and Analysis

• Manage the planning, development, and deployment of supply chain projects.
• Lead supply chain planning efforts, including capacity modeling, network modeling, and capital budgeting.
• Identify capacity impacts to distribution centers associated with varying parameters within the supply chain, ensuring alignment with global inventory placement.
• Assist with transportation optimization initiatives and analyze cost reductions through process improvements.

Distribution Center Design, Automation & Implementation

• Oversee and assist with the design of distribution facilities, including new facilities, facility retrofits, conveyor changes, and other material handling equipment changes.
• Maintain relationships with key automation/material handling vendors.
• Identify and implement design changes that will improve efficiencies, capacity & throughput.
• Design and recommend department layouts and product flows in the distribution center, incorporating sustainability and energy‑efficiency goals.
• Develop preferred methods/standard operating procedures for the warehouse in conjunction with operational support.
• Implement and support a labor management program and software configuration.
• Develop and maintain multi‑variable labor standards utilizing modern WMS data.
• Troubleshoot Labor Management System and interface issues (as needed).
• Lead the engineering team to identify, define, and implement process improvement opportunities.
• Introduce and adapt improvement methodologies as appropriate to drive change (ex., Lean or Six Sigma).
• Address all aspects of change, including people, processes, systems, and equipment.

Management of Team Members

• Lead direct reports, systems, and projects to achieve unit goals in accordance with company policies and practices.
• Work with cross‑functional teams to drive results to complete complex operational projects.
• Create an effective work environment by developing a common vision, setting clear objectives, expecting teamwork, recognizing outstanding performance, and maintaining open communication.
• Guide others in resolving complex issues in their own specialized area and solve complex problems with implications on cross‑functional business processes and outcomes.
• Serve as an expert within discipline.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Projects: Proven results in opening and closing fulfillment centers. Demonstrated experience in working closely with automation vendors, in‑sourced and outsourced engineering teams, and familiarity with 3PL landscape.
• Analytical & Leadership: Analytical, planning and organizing, sound judgment, decision making, and leadership skills required. Proven project management/leadership skills.
• Systems & Automation: Experience with work measurement & performance management programs, conveyor design and optimization, large project management, and warehouse systems.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Office products with an emphasis in Excel and Access. Proficient with AutoCAD.
• Automation Maintenance: Expertise in maintaining & troubleshooting conveyor systems (e.g., sensors & controls). Experience with WMS integration, Dematic, and Bastian WCS is desired.
• Labor Management: Experience with labor reporting systems. Proficient at utilizing labor data to cost‑justify capital expenditure and process change ROI.
• Process Improvement: Ability to analyze and provide solutions for cost reduction through process improvements and cost/benefit analysis. Ability to drive process improvements and work within a team to resolve problems.
• Communication: Effective verbal and written communication skills. Excellent interpersonal skills, professional attitude, and approach (and the ability to interact with individuals at various levels of the organization, up and down).
• Safety & Ergonomics: Able to conduct ergonomic evaluations, recommending and implementing improvements to work area designs.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Industrial or Mechanical engineering; Master's degree a plus.

Experience Requirements

Generally requires a minimum of twelve (12) plus years of experience as an engineer in retail and/or e‑commerce distribution.

Judgment/Reasoning Ability

Able to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve problems quickly using sound judgment, poise, and diplomacy. Ability to use judgment and reasoning skills, and determine when to escalation issues, as required, on time.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

Physical: While performing the duties of this job, the team member may be required to be on their feet for several hours a day, performing process observations or collecting data for labor standards.

Environment: The noise in the work environment is usually moderate. Factors include: Hectic, fast‑paced with multi‑level distractions; Professional, yet casual work environment; Warehouse environment.

Travel: Multi‑site responsibility. Some travel is required, averaging roughly 30 to 40%.

Benefits

The anticipated pay scale for this position can be found below, however the pay range applicable to you may vary by geographic location based on where the job is located or where you work. The final pay offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and years of experience within the job, the type of years and experience within the industry, education, etc. iHerb, LLC is a multi‑state employer and this pay scale may not reflect positions that work in other states or locations.

Employees (and their families) that meet eligibility criteria as outlined in applicable plan documents are eligible to participate in our medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance programs and may enroll in our company’s 401(k) plan. Employees will also be eligible for Time Off and Paid Sick Leave pursuant to the company’s policies. Employees will enjoy paid holidays throughout the calendar year. Eligibility requirements for these benefits will be controlled by applicable plan documents.

Hired applicant may be awarded Restricted Stock Units and receive annual bonuses pursuant to eligibility and performance criteria defined in the respective plan documents and policies. For more information on iHerb benefits, visit us at iHerbBenefits.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer

iHerb is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. iHerb provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment.

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