VP/Director of Operations

Role Summary

The VP or Director of Operations leads logistics, supply chain, warehousing, and transportation functions to ensure efficient, reliable service. You balance strategic planning with real-time problem solving to meet delivery goals, manage costs, and develop teams. Your leadership directly impacts operational success in a demanding, fast-paced environment.

Required Education, Certifications, and Experience

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or related field.
Master’s preferred

Certifications:

  • Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)
  • Certified in Logistics Transportation and Distribution (CLTD)
  • Project Management Professional (PMP)
  • Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
  • Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)
  • APICS Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM)

Experience:

10 plus years in logistics or operations leadership.
Proven success reducing costs and improving efficiency.
Managing multi-site teams and complex budgets.

Core Skills

  • WMS TMS ERP knowledge
  • Team leadership
  • Operational KPI analysis
  • Budget management
  • Vendor negotiation
  • Labor planning
  • Process improvement
  • Crisis management

A Hypothetical Day in the Life of a VP/Director of Operations

5:00 AM- You start your day reviewing overnight performance reports. One facility missed outbound targets due to equipment failure. You flag the issue for immediate follow-up and plan to speak with the site manager first thing. Your focus is on understanding the root cause before it impacts the day shift.

6:00 AM- You join a call with regional site managers. Staffing shortages and scheduling conflicts have created delays. You hold managers accountable, demanding recovery plans with clear deadlines. You offer limited support but expect them to solve problems proactively. The pressure to hit targets despite labor challenges is intense.

7:00 AM- During your commute, you turn on industry news podcasts. You make voice notes for new labor flexibility initiatives and ideas to improve shift coverage. This quiet time helps you plan your upcoming meetings and prioritize operational challenges you’ll address today.

8:00 AM-You meet with the COO and finance team to review labor costs, which have spiked due to overtime. You present a plan to limit overtime and introduce targeted incentives to improve efficiency. There is pushback, but you stand firm on balancing cost control with operational needs.

9:00 AM- You hold one-on-one meetings with operations managers. One is struggling with high turnover and needs rapid retention solutions. Another proposes piloting automation in the receiving area. You challenge the latter to provide a detailed cost-benefit analysis before moving forward.

10:00 AM- You visit a busy warehouse. On the floor, you observe a backlog caused by labeling errors that slow down staging. You immediately work with the site lead to revise SOPs and plan retraining for staff. Quick, practical fixes matter more than long debates.

11:30 AM-Lunch is quick and functional. You grab a sandwich while handling an urgent carrier dispute over missed deliveries. You negotiate a temporary service agreement to avoid further delays, making clear that performance must improve to maintain the relationship.

1:30 PM- You meet with IT and process improvement teams to address system delays affecting order fulfillment. You push for a phased WMS upgrade with a clear timeline. Technology must support operations, not hold it back.

2:30 PM- You lead a performance review call with a carrier who has missed multiple delivery windows. You present the data firmly and require a corrective action plan with milestones. Accountability is non-negotiable.

4:00 PM- You analyze operational dashboards and flag a distribution center running above labor budget. You ask for a detailed breakdown by shift and task, preparing to address inefficiencies in tomorrow’s leadership meeting.

5:30 PM- You wrap up the day by reviewing emails and setting priorities for tomorrow. Some issues have improved, others require continued attention. The role demands constant vigilance but also rewards those who can keep complex operations aligned and moving.
This role is for leaders who thrive in fast-paced, challenging environments. You must be decisive, hands-on, and comfortable balancing competing priorities daily to drive operational excellence.