Director of Warehouse Operations & Logistics : Location: Joliet, IL
We’re looking for a high-ownership, entrepreneurial Director of Warehouse Operations & Logistics to run day-to-day warehouse and logistics operations for a growing company. This is not a desk job and not a corporate “middle manager” role.
You will own execution — people, process, inventory, and transportation — with clear KPIs, real authority to improve systems, and direct impact on profitability and customer satisfaction.
This role starts hands-on and execution-focused, and evolves as processes tighten and the operation matures — allowing more time for planning, analysis, optimization, and strategic cost control.
If you thrive wearing multiple hats, building structure, and treating operations like a business within a business, this role is for you.
What You’ll Own (Your Scorecard):
You are accountable for performance across these core KPIs:
On-time, in-full (OTIF) shippingInventory accuracy & cycle count varianceLabor productivity & overtime controlFreight and transportation cost per order / per poundTransportation cost variance vs. expected / quotedSafety, cleanliness, and SOP complianceOrder accuracy & quality errorsYou will have the authority — and expectation — to improve these metrics.
The Role (How You’ll Spend Your Time):
This is a hands-on leadership role with increasing strategic responsibility over time.
You will spend significant time on the warehouse floor early on:Leading by exampleCoaching associates and supervisorsRemoving bottlenecksEnforcing SOPs and safety standardsEstablishing consistent execution and accountabilityAs processes, training, and KPIs stabilize, your focus will increasingly shift to:Planning and optimizationData analysis and reportingTransportation strategy and cost controlContinuous improvement initiativesYou are expected to flex your time based on what the operation needs, not a fixed schedule.
Key Responsibilities:
People & Leadership
Lead, train, and hold warehouse associates accountable to clear standardsRun daily huddles to align on priorities, volume, and performance targetsBuild a culture of ownership, safety, and continuous improvementEnsure labor compliance (breaks, lunches, scheduling)Identify skill gaps and implement training programs that reduce dependency on constant supervisionWarehouse Operations
Oversee all warehouse functions: receiving, put-away, inventory control, picking, packing, and shippingEnsure accurate, on-time order fulfillmentPerform and manage cycle counts; maintain high WMS accuracyConduct regular quality audits on inbound and outbound ordersMaintain a clean, organized, and safe facility aligned with SOPsTransportation, Logistics & Cost Control
Own inbound and outbound transportation strategy, including domestic and ocean freightManage carrier relationships across parcel, LTL, FTL, and ocean transportationUnderstand and manage all transportation-related costs and accessorials, including:Fuel surchargesDetention, demurrage, and port feesAccessorial charges and pass-through costsCreate and maintain auditing processes to ensure freight invoices match contracted rates, quotes, and expected costsBid out freight, select carriers, and negotiate cost-effective and reliable ratesCreate ASNs, loads, and BOLs; ensure compliance with customer routing and documentation requirementsActively identify transportation cost savings and eliminate billing variancesPartner with purchasing and sales to align inventory flow, inbound timing, and outbound commitmentsContinuous Improvement & Analysis
Identify inefficiencies and implement process improvements across warehouse and transportationImprove SOPs, layouts, workflows, and carrier performanceTrack KPIs, analyze trends, and report results transparentlyBuild repeatable systems that reduce errors, cost leakage, and manual effortTreat the operation like a business within the businessWho Thrives in This Role
You like owning outcomes, not just tasksYou’re comfortable making decisions and being accountable for resultsYou enjoy building structure where it doesn’t fully exist yetYou think in terms of cost, efficiency, and scalabilityYou prefer a smaller, agile environment over heavy bureaucracyYou can shift between the floor and analysis without losing effectivenessQualifications
3+ years of warehouse and/or logistics leadership experienceStrong understanding of inventory control, WMS, and fulfillment operationsSolid working knowledge of transportation, including ocean freight and associated feesExperience managing carriers, freight spend, and invoice auditingComfortable working hands-on in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environmentStrong communication, organization, and problem-solving skillsProficiency with WMS systems (Katana preferred) and Microsoft OfficeBachelor’s degree preferred; equivalent experience consideredForklift / reach truck certification preferred or ability to obtainCompensation & Growth
Base salary: $90,000–$110,000, depending on experiencePerformance bonus up to 10% of base tied to: OTIF shipping, Inventory accuracy, Labor efficiency & overtime control, Transportation and freight cost reduction, Invoice accuracy and variance eliminationHealth and wellness benefitsPaid time offReal opportunity to grow responsibility, scope, and influence as the company scalesWhy This Role Is Different
Clear KPIs and real ownership — not micromanagementAuthority to improve processes and build systemsDirect impact on transportation costs, service levels, and profitabilityLeadership visibility and a genuine growth runwayA chance to build, optimize, and scale, not just maintainIf you’re looking for a role where you can take ownership, wear multiple hats, and run warehouse and logistics operations like a business — we want to hear from you!
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