Vice President, Warehousing

Job Details
Description
JOB INFORMATION
Job Title
Vice President (VP) of Warehousing
Department
Administration
Reports To
President
Summary
The Vice President of Warehousing is responsible for end-to-end operational excellence across a global, multi-site warehouse network. This executive will lead strategy and execution for supply chain operations—including warehousing, distribution, fulfillment, inventory, transportation, and logistics—ensuring safety, quality, service-level adherence, regulatory compliance, and cost efficiency. The VP will build high-performing teams, standardize processes, implement scalable systems, and drive continuous improvement to support profitable growth and world-class customer experience.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Service: OTIF/DIFOT %, order cycle time, dock-to-stock time, backorder rate.
• Quality: fulfillment accuracy %, returns due to ops errors %, damages.
• Inventory: accuracy %, days on hand, shrink %, cycle count compliance.
• Cost/Productivity: cost per order/line, cost per pallet shipped, labor productivity (UPH/LPH), freight cost per unit.
• Safety: TRIR/LTIR, near-miss rate, audit scores.
• Compliance: customs & EHS audit pass rates, CAPA closure timeliness.
• ESG: emissions intensity (per shipment), landfill diversion %, energy usage.
  

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy & Leadership
• Develop and own the warehousing strategy aligned to corporate goals (service, cost, quality, sustainability).
• Build, lead and follow operating standards for a multi-site warehouse operations organization; define org structure, succession plans, and talent development.
• Network design & Capacity
• Optimize the global warehouse footprint (locations, capacity, automation, 3PL mix).
• Drive scenario modeling for growth, seasonality, and disaster recovery; maintain business continuity plans.
• Warehouse Operations & Fulfillment
• Ensure daily performance across all warehouses: receiving, put-away, storage, picking, packing, shipping, returns.
• Optimize WMS, TMS, labor management, slotting, and automation (conveyance, AMRs/AGVs, voice, goods-to-person).
• Standardize SOPs, cycle counting, inventory accuracy, and exception management.
• Transportation & Logistics
• Oversee domestic and cross-border transportation (parcel, LTL/FTL, ocean, air); negotiate rates and carrier performance.
• Manage international trade compliance (INCOTERMS, customs, import/export documentation, duties, bonded facilities).
• Safety, Quality & Compliance
• Champion EHS: OSHA/ISO standards, risk assessments, incident prevention; enforce safety culture.
• Ensure compliance with local labor laws, security protocols (C-TPAT, TAPA), product integrity, and audit readiness.
• Financial Management
• Own P&L for global warehousing; set and achieve cost, productivity, and cash targets.
• Budget for facilities, labor, technology, inventory holding, and freight; track ROI on CapEx (automation, systems).
• Customer & Commercial Alignment
• Partner with Sales/Customer Success to meet service-level commitments (OTIF, DIFOT, order cycle time).
• Support strategic customers with bespoke SLAs, playbooks, and quarterly business reviews (QBRs).
• Continuous Improvement & Transformation
• Lead Lean/Six Sigma programs: value stream mapping, kaizens, standard work; reduce waste and improve flow.
• Drive digital transformation: real-time visibility, dashboards, and analytics; implement S&OP/IBP with Supply Chain.
• Sustainability & ESG
• Deliver on ESG targets across energy use, waste, packaging, emissions (scope 3 freight) and ethical sourcing.
• Required travel up to 20-30% (globally), as necessary.
• Other duties, as assigned.
  

Required Skills/Experience

• 10–15+ years in progressively senior warehousing/supply chain leadership, with 5+ years overseeing global, multi-site warehouse networks.
• Expertise in WMS/TMS/LMS and warehouse automation; proven selection, implementation, and change management.
• Deep knowledge of international logistics: customs, INCOTERMS, trade compliance, 3PL management.
• Demonstrated P&L ownership, budgeting, and cost optimization (labor, freight, inventory).
• Track record of Lean/Six Sigma (Black Belt or equivalent preferred); KPI-driven management.
• Strong people leadership across cultures/time zones; outstanding communication and stakeholder management.
  

Preferred Skills/Experience

• Operating in high-volume B2B/B2C environments (e‑commerce, retail, industrial, life sciences).
• Launching new warehouses/markets and executing network reconfigurations.
• Implementing S&OP and demand/supply planning processes with cross-functional teams.
• Managing labor models (fixed/variable, temp/seasonal) and union/non-union environments.
• Security frameworks (e.g., C‑TPAT, TAPA), and ISO 9001/14001/45001 familiarity.
  

Minimum Education Requirements
Bachelor’s in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, or related; MBA or equivalent experience preferred.
Note
The purpose of this outlined job description is to focus attention on the most important aspects of the job. It is not intended to be a complete list of every duty and it is therefore to be expected that the day to day performance of the job will frequently include tasks not listed above.
The list of duties for which the job-holder is responsible may be varied or added to at the discretion of your manager. Any permanent alterations are added to the job description.