Vice President of Fulfillment Operations

Job Title: Vice President of Fulfillment OperationsLocation: Tewksbury, MA Walden Local is the Northeast's leading brand of sustainable, locally-raised meat. We are a Certified B Corp on a mission to change the meat industry by displacing industrial, factory farming with regenerative farming by small, independent, family farms that produce tasty and healthy meat that is beyond organic. We connect families with farmers by distributing our delicious products directly to thousands of member households, through wholesale channels, and in select local retail locations. Our mission is to support healthier animals, people, and communities. We believe in simplicity, doing the right thing for our members, and the little things matter.The VP of Warehouse Operations oversees all aspects of warehouse management, including daily operations, personnel development, inventory control, and fulfillment, while driving operational efficiency, growth strategies, and a culture of continuous improvement. This role ensures safety, compliance, and profitability, fostering a high-performance environment.This is a fast-paced, evolving environment that requires organization and operational excellence. By focusing on team development, culture, and productivity, you will facilitate overall profitability by ensuring consistency, quality, accountability, and structure for the Warehouse Operations.Your Team, Peers, and Working Environment This position is a part of the senior leadership team and will report directly to the CEO. Other members of the senior leadership team include the Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Technology Officer, VP of Merchandising and Supply, Director of People, and GM of Vermont Packinghouse. This position will oversee and lead a team of managers at the Walden warehouse, including the On Road Operations Manager, Fulfillment Manager, Maintenance Manager, Cold Storage Inventory Manager, and Food Safety & Quality Manager. The total Warehouse Operations Team is comprised of ~50 associates responsible for a range of activities including last mile delivery and logistics driving and fulfillment and inventory management.This is an in-person, on-site position in Tewksbury, MA. We work Monday-Friday, plus an occasional Saturday. Shifts start at 1am and end at 4pm. We understand that 'life happens' and will offer limited remote flexibility as needed, but you will be expected to be on-site 95%+ of the time. The warehouse work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job at our Warehouse Distribution Center in a refrigerated and freezer environment. Temperatures range from heated/cooled office space to outdoors and ambient at or about 35° Fahrenheit in the warehouse. The freezer temperature ranges from 10° to -10°. Attire may include Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and steel or composite-toed boots.What You'll Do - The Essential Functions of the JobDaily Operations ManagementOversee daily operations, ensuring efficiency and productivity across teams led by Operations Managers.Manage all operations functions, including inventory, fulfillment, transportation, and personnel while assigning work, setting objectives, and monitoring performance across all operations departments.Lead key responsibilities, in alignment with company policies and laws, including:Interviewing, hiring, and training employees.Reviewing forecasts and balancing labor needs across all operations functions.Appraising performance and conducting team meetings.Oversee overall business unit profitability.Ensure accountability to all internal and external commitments e.g. daily operation requirements & project execution against timelines.Establish, monitor, and report key KPIs (e.g., Delivery On Time, Order Error Rate, Pick Order Rate) to assess daily operations and initiatives. Ensure delivery of employee scorecards reporting on recent performance.Set warehouse and team goals in collaboration with executive management.Collaborate with the Cold Storage team to drive business growth.Manage carrier procurement and 3rd party carrier relationships as needed.Direct warehouse purchasing and logistics needs to satisfy production needs.Support the On Road Operations Manager in scheduling owned last mile delivery routes for optimal efficiency.Supervise Cold Storage Inventory Management, guiding the Cold Storage Inventory Manager and their team in receiving, pulling orders, and organizing inventory.Oversee order fulfillment through the Fulfillment Manager and their team, ensuring accurate and efficient daily fulfillment operations.Enforce security and loss prevention procedures.Ensure compliance with safety programs and OSHA standards, staying current on federal and state regulations.Audit and report inventory levels, recommending restocks as needed.Operations ImprovementDevelop strategies for growth and enhancement of distribution and warehousing activities.Foster a culture of continuous quality improvement, tracking and reporting improvement initiatives.Drive productivity and efficiency through data-driven decisions and analytical problem-solving.Support the rollout of new systems/processes, gathering feedback for improvement.Proactively identify and lead process optimization initiatives.Establish efficient warehouse practices and protocols.Collaborate with the technology team to enhance proprietary pick/pack systems, improving member experience and streamlining operations.Design and implement optimized warehouse layouts and processes to improve safety, cleanliness, and efficiency.Build flexibility into fulfillment processes to support market expansion and new opportunities.Team DevelopmentLead and develop all operations team members.Monitor workplace performance and implement training initiatives as needed. Motivate, mentor, and coach team members to achieve high performance in safety, quality, efficiency, and attendance.Equip team members with the tools and decision-making capabilities necessary for success.Provide continuous feedback on performance, attitude, and career development.Conduct developmental reviews and deliver constructive feedback to help employees succeed.Promote a culture of excellence by identifying and nurturing strong talent, providing leadership and coaching, and addressing performance gaps.Lead by example, encouraging team participation in continuous improvement initiatives.Identify talent gaps and recruit and train team members as needed.What You BringYou are a well-rounded operations professional with strong leadership experience. Prior warehouse management experience is a must, as is a demonstrated ability to hire, lead, and develop an engaged staff through all levels of the operation. You will possess a strong, positive "roll up your sleeves and do whatever it takes" attitude and maintain a healthy dissatisfaction with the status quo and an intense desire to improve daily.Qualifications should include:10+ years of warehouse leadership experience across multiple locations.Demonstrable experience in Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies.Strong negotiation skills and contracting/procurement experience.Strong familiarity with ERP systems and their application in streamlining operations.Experience in building, developing, and leading large teams, with a proven track record of implementing positive change and fostering a culture of respect and teamwork.Experience and in-depth knowledge of DTC distribution models, including owned warehouse, fulfillment, and transportation operations.Possess strong business acumen with 5+ years' experience in budget management, P&L ownership, and financial statement analysis, as well as skill in implementing changes to enhance distribution center profitability.Fully proficient in both Federal and state safety compliance and regulationsExcellent communication skills, both written and oralWilling to work in the warehouse to get tasks done. Not just an office leadership job.Detail oriented with strong multi-tasking skills and ability to handle multiple projects concurrently.Advance knowledge and skills with technology (WMS, LMS, Excel, Word, Power Point, Access, and Office 365).Bonus points for prior experience implementing an ERP system.What We Offer401(k) with employer matchHealth, dental, life, vision insuranceBonusFree meatWalden does not discriminate in employment and provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. We celebrate our employees' differences; differences make us better.

Created: 2025-03-03