Operations Manager – Operational Excellence (OPEX)
Stord is seeking a highly capable and adaptable Operations Manager – Operational Excellence (OPEX) to build operational leadership capability and drive continuous improvement across our fulfillment network.
This role will operate as a traveling Operations Manager, embedding within fulfillment centers for several weeks at a time to provide immersive, boots-on-the-ground coaching, leadership development, and operational support. The OPEX Manager will play a critical role in developing new and emerging Area Managers and Operations Managers while also supporting enterprise initiatives focused on network standardization, revenue capture, waste reduction, process improvement, and operational scalability.
The ideal candidate is operationally sound, highly adaptable, and an exceptional communicator who thrives on building capability in others. This leader must be able to quickly assess a site's operational and leadership opportunities, balance immediate business needs with long-term capability building, and leave each site with stronger leaders, more sustainable processes, and improved operational performance.
What You'll Do
Travel to sites across the network to support new leader training, including onboarding, shadowing, and system navigation, to ensure seamless integration.
Embed within fulfillment centers for extended periods to provide immersive, hands-on coaching and development for new and emerging Area Managers and Operations Managers.
Assess leadership capability and operational execution to identify knowledge, process, and execution gaps and build targeted development plans.
Provide training and coaching across core operational disciplines, including labor management, productivity and performance management, stream and floor management, aged order resolution, inventory and replenishment flow, and daily operational reporting.
Develop leaders' ability to independently manage high-performing operations through real-time coaching, feedback, observation, and performance management.
Act as an interim Operations Manager (OM) as needed, stepping into leadership roles during transitions, openings, or talent gaps.
Lead by example in executing Stord processes, including inventory management, quality, labor planning, and order fulfillment.
Provide real-time coaching and feedback to new leaders and ensure alignment to operational KPIs.
Support the development and adoption of standardized operating practices, management routines, and processes across the fulfillment network.
Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, reduce waste, eliminate process variation, and drive sustainable continuous improvement.
Support enterprise initiatives focused on network standardization, revenue capture, waste reduction, continuous improvement, and operational scalability.
Partner with site and network leadership to identify site-level opportunities and help implement and scale successful solutions across multiple facilities.
Develop and refine training materials and standard operating procedures based on field experience.
Partner cross-functionally with HR, Safety, Training, Engineering, and other business partners to ensure consistent messaging and execution.
Track progress of trainees and escalate concerns or development opportunities to site and regional leadership.
Drive culture and foster leadership excellence through daily presence, stand-up participation, performance observation, and direct engagement with site teams.
Stay up to date on system, process, and technology changes and reflect those updates in training delivery.
Learn, adopt, and apply emerging AI tools and technologies to improve operational processes, leadership effectiveness, reporting, problem-solving, and continuous improvement.
Identify opportunities to incorporate AI-enabled tools and automation into training, standard work, reporting, and operational decision-making.
Maintain documentation of visit outcomes, leadership assessments, development progress, and provide actionable follow-ups to site and regional leadership.
What You'll Need
Minimum 5 years of experience in a high-volume, direct-to-consumer warehouse or fulfillment environment.
Previous experience as an Operations Manager or Senior Manager with direct reports.
Demonstrated success in training, mentoring, coaching, or developing warehouse leadership.
Strong operational knowledge across labor management, productivity, inventory management, quality, fulfillment, replenishment, and warehouse process flow.
Proven ability to assess operational performance, identify root causes, and translate opportunities into clear and actionable improvement plans.
Proven ability to lead teams of 60+ non-exempt employees and multiple salaried leaders.
Willingness to travel up to 75% and remain embedded on-site for multi-week periods.
Strong understanding of WMS systems, warehouse technology, RF devices, and operational reporting tools.
Proficiency in Excel, Google Suite, and basic reporting and data analysis tools.
Clear communication skills, both written and verbal, with an ability to coach, influence, and build alignment across all levels of the organization.
Strong problem-solving mindset, bias toward action, and ability to adapt quickly in fast-paced and evolving environments.
Ability to balance immediate operational execution with long-term leadership and capability development.
Comfortable learning and adopting new technologies, including AI tools, and applying them to improve productivity, decision-making, reporting, training, and operational processes.
Must be comfortable working in a distribution center environment with varying temperatures, moderate noise levels, and physical activity.
Ability to lift up to 75 lbs and remain on your feet for extended periods.
Willingness to work non-standard hours, including nights and weekends, especially during site launches or training cycles.
Must have the flexibility to travel frequently and stay on-site for multi-week assignments as business needs evolve.
Nice to Have
Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Experience with Lean Six Sigma or other continuous improvement methodologies.
Experience leading or supporting multi-site operations, network-wide standardization, or enterprise operational initiatives.
Experience in startup, high-growth, or fast-scaling logistics environments.
Experience using AI, automation, or other emerging technologies to improve business processes, reporting, training, or operational decision-making.
Demonstrated curiosity and willingness to continuously learn and apply emerging AI tools and technologies in an operational environment.
Bachelor's degree in Operations, Supply Chain, Business, or equivalent experience.
