Distribution Center Operations Director

Simon & Schuster was named to Forbes magazine list of America's Best Mid-Size Employers 2022. Simon & Schuster is a global leader in general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for readers of all ages, and in all printed, digital and audio formats. Its distinguished roster of authors includes many of the world's most popular and widely recognized writers, and winners of the most prestigious literary honors and awards. It is home to numerous well-known imprints and divisions such as Simon & Schuster, Scribner, Atria Books, Gallery Books, Pocket Books, Adams Media, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing and Simon & Schuster Audio and international companies in Australia, Canada, India and the United Kingdom, and proudly brings the works of its authors to readers in more than 200 countries and territories. For more information visit our website at www.simonandschuster.com. The Director of Distribution Center Operations is the senior operational leader for our Tennessee Distribution Center and is accountable for the facility’s safety, service, quality, productivity, cost, and employee experience. This leader will establish strong operating discipline, build an effective leadership team, and ensure consistent execution across receiving, inventory, fulfillment, shipping, transportation coordination, maintenance, and facility operations. The successful candidate will be a visible, hands-on leader who can improve performance, strengthen processes and systems, develop frontline leaders, and build a culture of accountability, communication, safety, and continuous improvement. The role requires both strong daily execution and the ability to lead the facility’s longer-term operational transformation. Key Responsibilities Operations Leadership Provide day-to-day leadership and full operating accountability for the Tennessee Distribution Center. Establish daily, weekly, and monthly operating plans aligned with volume forecasts, customer commitments, labor requirements, and facility capacity. Deliver performance against safety, service, quality, productivity, cost, inventory accuracy, and equipment-reliability targets. Lead operations across receiving, replenishment, picking, packing, value-added services, shipping, and dock activities. Maintain clear visibility into order backlogs, aging, throughput constraints, staffing gaps, equipment issues, and customer-service risks. Establish effective daily management routines, including shift handoffs, floor walks, performance reviews, escalation procedures, and corrective actions. Improve workflows, labor deployment, material movement, and space utilization to increase throughput and reduce waste. Ensure the facility, equipment, systems, and workforce are prepared for seasonal peaks and changing business demands. Partner closely with IT, engineering, maintenance, transportation, customer service, finance, HR, and other distribution locations. Maintain full compliance with OSHA requirements, company safety standards, employment practices, and other applicable regulations. Collaborate with Finance on operating budgets, forecasts, capital plans, and resource allocation. People and Leadership Development Build, coach, and retain a capable and accountable leadership team across all shifts and operating functions. Set clear expectations for managers and supervisors and hold leaders accountable for performance, communication, employee development, and consistent policy application. Maintain a strong and visible leadership presence throughout the facility. Strengthen onboarding, job training, cross-training, coaching, and performance-management practices. Develop succession plans and advancement opportunities for frontline employees, supervisors, and managers. Build a culture in which employees are treated with respect, can raise concerns, receive timely information, and understand how their work affects customers, clients, authors, and the broader company. Partne…

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