Job Description
Position Title: Senior Director
Location: Charleston, South Carolina, USA
Direct Reports: Warehouse Supervisors, Inventory Controllers, Logistics Coordinators, and Operations Teams (approximately 15-30 employees)
Company Profile: Global Supply Chain 3PL Management Company
I. Position Overview
As the Senior Director of the distribution center, you will be fully responsible for the day‐to‐day operations and strategic management of a modern 100,000‐square‐foot (approx. 9,290 m2) warehouse in the Charleston area. You will ensure efficient receiving, storage, picking, and outbound shipping of goods, while controlling costs, improving service quality, and continuously optimizing processes. The core value of this role lies in two dimensions: internally, you manage the people, inventory, equipment, and systems within the warehouse; externally, you coordinate the full supply chain – imports/exports, ocean/air freight, customs clearance, and U.S. inland delivery. In addition, you will regularly deliver professional operational reports and decision‐support presentations to senior executives of publicly traded client companies.
II. Key Responsibilities (Core Duties)
1. Comprehensive Warehouse Operations Management (100,000 sq ft)
· Develop and execute the warehouse’s annual operational plan, ensuring that key KPIs are met – including daily order processing capacity, inventory accuracy (≥99.5%), and on‐time shipment rate (≥98%).
· Optimize internal layout, workflow design, and slotting management to improve space utilization and picking efficiency; promote the adoption of automated/semi‐automated equipment (e.g., conveyors, RF scanning, voice picking).
· Establish and supervise safety operating procedures, enforce OSHA standards and company EHS (Environmental, Health & Safety) policies, and ensure the workplace injury rate remains below industry average.
· Oversee equipment maintenance, consumables procurement, and third‐party service providers (e.g., forklift rental, cleaning, security); manage the operational budget and achieve annual cost‐saving targets.
2. Effective Communication and Professional Presentation to Senior Management of Public Companies
· Regularly (monthly/quarterly) submit warehouse performance reports to the Board, CEO, or VP of Supply Chain – covering throughput, productivity, cost analysis, customer service metrics, incidents, and improvement initiatives.
· Use data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) to create professional, concise PowerPoint decks that clearly present operational trends, risk alerts, and ROI analyses to support executive decision‐making.
· Participate in corporate strategy meetings; proactively propose warehouse network optimization, automation upgrades, or third‐party outsourcing recommendations – demonstrating strategic thinking and business insight.
3. End‐to‐End Supply Chain Coordination (Import/Export + U.S. Inland Delivery)
· Import/Export Warehouse Operations: Manage inbound receiving of imported goods (especially from Asia and Europe), including labeling, random inspection, inventory segregation; coordinate with customs brokers for swift clearance; handle special situations such as customs exams and bonded storage.
· U.S. Inland Delivery: Plan and optimize truck delivery routes (FTL/LTL), select and manage carriers, monitor transit times and delivery feedback, process claims and exceptions (e.g., delays, damages), and ensure high‐quality final‐mile performance.
· Integration of Ocean, Air, Customs, and Trucking: Work closely with internal ocean/air freight departments and external freight forwarders to coordinate container pick‐up, de‐vanning, and transloading at the port; be familiar with transit times, costs, and documentation requirements for all transport modes, and be able to rapidly adjust warehouse schedules in response to contingencies (e.g., vessel delays, stricter exams).
4. Team Building and Talent Development
· Recruit, train, and evaluate warehouse supervisors, leads, and operators; establish clear job descriptions and performance appraisal systems.
· Promote cross‐training and job rotation to increase team flexibility and emergency response capability; organize monthly safety and operational skills training.
· Foster a positive, transparent, and results‐oriented team culture to reduce employee turnover.
5. Systems and Process Optimization
· Proficiently operate Warehouse Management Systems (WMS – e.g., Manhattan, SAP EWM, Blue Yonder); continuously optimize system configurations and work rules to improve automated task allocation and wave planning efficiency.
· Liaise with the IT department to advance integration between WMS, ERP, and TMS (Transportation Management System), enabling end‐to‐end visibility.
· Conduct regular process audits and apply Lean or Six Sigma methodologies to eliminate waste and shorten order lead times.
III. Qualifications (Requirements)
1. Education
· Bachelor’s degree or above, preferably in Logistics Management, Supply Chain Management, International Trade, or a related field.
· Supply chain certifications (e.g., CSCP, CPIM, CLTD) or Six Sigma Green/Black Belt are a plus.
2. Work Experience
· 8+ years of experience in warehouse/distribution center operations management, including at least 3-5 years in a managerial role (Manager or above), with a track record of leading teams in facilities of ≥80,000 sq ft.
· Experience working in publicly traded companies or large multinational corporations, familiar with compliance, reporting, and budgeting processes, is preferred.
3. Professional Skills
· Deep expertise in all warehouse processes: receiving, put‐away, picking, packing, shipping, returns handling, and cycle counting.
· Solid knowledge of import/export warehouse operations – including bonded warehouse procedures, customs coordination, basic HS code understanding, and Incoterms.
· Familiarity with the U.S. inland delivery market – trucking (FTL/LTL), carrier negotiation, rate structures, and service standards.
· Working knowledge of ocean/air freight, customs clearance, and drayage – able to understand sailing schedules, flight arrivals, clearance milestones, and guide the team in collaborative execution.
· Systems proficiency: hands‐on experience with mainstream WMS and Microsoft Office (especially Excel for data analysis); ability to quickly learn new systems.
4. Core Competencies
· Communication and Influence: Confident, clear, and persuasive presentation skills to C‐suite executives; adept at storytelling with data.
· Problem Solving and Decision Making: Ability to assess situations quickly and take effective actions under high‐pressure environments (e.g., peak season overload, extreme weather, system failures).
· Leadership: Lead by example; inspire and motivate the team to embrace change and deliver excellence.
· Language: Fluent in English (spoken and written) for business meetings, emails, and daily interaction with local staff; Mandarin Chinese is a plus (useful for communicating with Asia‐based headquarters or Chinese clients).
IV. Working Environment & Compensation (Summary)
· Location: Charleston, SC – convenient access to major ports and I‐26/I‐95 highway corridors.
· Work Schedule: Monday–Friday, with occasional weekend/holiday on‐call support (compensated time off provided).
· Compensation: Competitive base salary + annual performance bonus tied to warehouse KPIs and individual contributions.
· Benefits: Standard corporate package including medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k) match, paid leave (vacation, sick, holidays),
· Career Growth: High performers may advance to Regional Operations Director or VP of Supply Chain roles.
V. How to Apply
Please send your English resume and cover letter to with the subject line: "DC Senior Director - Charleston - [Your Full Name]". Qualified candidates will be contacted within 5 working days for an initial screening.
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