VP Logistics & Distribution Operations

Position Summary

The Vice President of Logistics & Distribution Operations is responsible for leading the company's end-to-end distribution, warehousing, transportation, inventory deployment, and logistics strategy across North America. Reporting to the President Global Industrial,, this executive will oversee a network of seven U.S. distribution centers and provide strategic leadership and operational governance for logistics activities supporting operations in Canada and Mexico.

This role is accountable for delivering world-class customer service, operational excellence, safety performance, inventory productivity, network optimization, and cost efficiency while supporting the company's growth objectives. The VP will develop and execute long-term logistics strategies that enhance service levels, improve scalability, strengthen cross-border capabilities, and maximize return on invested capital.

The successful candidate is a transformational leader with deep experience in industrial distribution, multi-site operations, transportation management, supply chain optimization, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the North American logistics and distribution strategy aligned with corporate growth objectives.
• Lead the design, optimization, and expansion of distribution and transportation networks to support revenue growth and customer service requirements.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, automation, AI-enabled planning tools, and warehouse management solutions to improve performance and productivity.
• Drive long-range capacity planning for facilities, labor, inventory, and transportation resources.
• Partner with executive leadership on strategic initiatives, acquisitions, integrations, and network expansion opportunities.

Distribution Center Operations

• Provide executive leadership and oversight for all U.S. distribution centers, including warehouse operations, fulfillment, inventory management, safety, quality, and labor productivity.  There are 8 DC’s in the US and 12 proximity warehouses in the current SOW.
• Establish operational standards and performance expectations across all distribution facilities.
• Ensure consistent execution of best practices, SOPs, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Drive operational excellence through Lean, Six Sigma, and process optimization methodologies.
• Maintain service level targets while balancing cost, inventory investment, and capacity requirements.

Transportation & Logistics

• Lead all transportation strategies, including inbound, outbound, parcel, LTL, truckload, dedicated fleet, and intermodal operations.
• Oversee carrier sourcing, contract negotiations, routing strategies, and freight optimization programs.
• Drive transportation cost reduction initiatives while improving reliability, visibility, and customer experience.
• Ensure effective management of cross-border freight movement throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
• Develop contingency plans and risk mitigation strategies to ensure business continuity.

North American Operations Oversight

• Provide governance and strategic direction for logistics operations supporting Canada and Mexico.
• Ensure alignment of logistics standards, performance metrics, and operational processes across all North American operations.
• Partner with regional business leaders to support customer growth and market expansion initiatives.
• Manage cross-border compliance requirements, customs practices, trade regulations, and transportation partnerships.

Financial Management

• Own the logistics and distribution P&L, including labor, facilities, transportation, inventory handling, and capital expenditures.
• Develop annual operating plans and multi-year strategic investment roadmaps.
• Identify and execute productivity initiatives that generate measurable cost savings and operational improvements.
• Monitor and improve key financial metrics including logistics cost as a percentage of sales, inventory turns, working capital utilization, and operating margin contribution.

Customer Service & Commercial Alignment

• Partner closely with Sales, Operations, Procurement, Customer Service, and Supply Chain teams to ensure exceptional customer fulfillment performance.
• Improve order accuracy, fill rates, on-time delivery, and customer satisfaction metrics.
• Support commercial growth initiatives through scalable logistics capabilities and service differentiation.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead and develop a high-performing team of distribution, transportation, and logistics leaders across North America.
• Build succession plans and leadership development programs for critical operations roles.
• Foster a culture of accountability, safety, continuous improvement, and employee engagement.
• Champion diversity, inclusion, and employee development across the organization.

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all OSHA, DOT, environmental, transportation, customs, and trade regulations.
• Lead enterprise-wide safety initiatives focused on achieving best-in-class performance.
• Implement risk management and business continuity programs across the logistics network.
• Maintain compliance with all applicable U.S., Canadian, and Mexican regulatory requirements.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

The Vice President will be accountable for achieving results in the following areas:

• On-time shipment performance
• Perfect order fulfillment
• Customer service levels
• Inventory accuracy
• Warehouse productivity
• Freight cost management
• Cost per order shipped
• Logistics cost as a percentage of revenue
• Safety performance (TRIR, lost-time incidents)
• Employee engagement and retention
• Network capacity utilization
• EBITDA improvement and cost savings initiatives

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
• Minimum 15+ years of progressive supply chain, logistics, and distribution leadership experience.
• At least 8-10 years in senior leadership roles managing large multi-site distribution operations.
• Experience leading logistics organizations supporting $1B+ revenue businesses, preferably within industrial distribution, manufacturing, wholesale distribution, or related sectors.
• Demonstrated responsibility for multiple distribution centers and North American logistics operations.
• Significant transportation management and carrier negotiation experience.
• Strong financial acumen with P&L responsibility exceeding $100M in operating spend.
• Proven track record of delivering large-scale operational transformation initiatives.
• Experience leading organizations through growth, acquisition integration, network redesign, or automation implementations.

Preferred

• APICS, CSCP, CLTD, Six Sigma Black Belt, or equivalent certification.
• Experience with highly complex SKU environments and industrial distribution business models.
• Expertise in WMS, TMS, ERP systems, data analytics, and automation technologies.
• Cross-border logistics experience involving U.S., Canada, and Mexico operations.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Enterprise Leadership
• Operational Excellence
• Change Management
• Executive Presence
• Financial Acumen
• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Customer Focus
• Talent Development
• Continuous Improvement Mindset
• Collaboration and Influence
• Risk Management
• Results Orientation