Operations Manager - Dekalb IL, Sort Center

Our WW Operations network delivers millions of packages and smiles to Amazon customers every day. We're looking for motivated, customer-focused leaders who want to join a site that's building something different.

IGQ9 isn't just running a sort center - we're growing it into something more. We actively pursue AI-driven innovation to solve operational problems, empower our teams to Think Big on projects with site and regional impact, and challenge the status quo of what a building at our scale can become. If you want to operate and build, this is the role.

As an Operations Manager, you will lead and develop a team of salaried and hourly talent. You'll be responsible for engaging your team during their shifts to maintain the highest levels of safety, quality, attendance, and performance. To achieve this, managers are expected to provide their team with the tools needed for success while driving improvements in productivity and efficiency through data-driven decisions and analytical problem-solving. You will also play a key role in ensuring customer orders are delivered at the right time, to the right location.

About the Operation: Our workflow has three major components: First mile (where the product is housed and ready for order), Middle mile (where the order is hauled to your area), and Last mile (when the product is delivered to the customer's door). All workflows have slight building variations, but one thing is constant: our vision and dedication to the customer.

Key Responsibilities:

Support, mentor, and motivate your salaried and hourly workforce

Lead large-scope projects with site and regional impact - we expect our OMs to own initiatives that push the building forward, not just maintain it

Identify and pilot AI and automation solutions that improve safety, quality, and efficiency

Build and execute productivity plans through forecast reviews, determining productivity requirements, and partnering with other Leaders to load balance

Manage safety, quality, productivity, and customer delivery promises

Collaborate with all support teams including Safety, Engineering, Loss Prevention, Quality Assurance, and Human Resources to develop plans to meet business objectives

Contribute to a culture where innovation is expected and growing the operation beyond its current state is everyone's job

Physical Requirements:

Lift up to 49 pounds and frequently push, pull, squat, bend, and reach

Stand/walk for up to 12 hours during shifts

Work in an environment where the noise level varies and can be loud

Work in an environment subject to variable temperatures and weather (includes outside loading departments)

Continuously climb and descend stairs (applies to sites with stairs)

Growth: Our fulfillment network launches new Operations sites every year, providing various opportunities for professional growth. At IGQ9, we also invest in growing leaders who want to shape a building's trajectory - not just manage its current state. We hire Operations Managers based on location preference and the business' current openings.

Our Operation’s workflow has three major components: First mile - where the product is housed and ready for order; Middle mile - where the order is hauled to your area; and Last mile - when the product is delivered to the customer’s door. Please note that all workflows have slight building variations, but one thing is constant: our vision and dedication to the customer.

Key Responsibilities and Job Elements:

- Support, mentor, and motivate your salaried and hourly workforce

- Lead large-scope projects with site and regional impact

- Build and execute productivity plans through forecast reviews, determining productivity requirements, and partnering with other Leaders to load balance

- Manage safety, quality, productivity, and customer delivery promises

- Collaborate with all support teams including Safety, Engineering, Loss Prevention, Quality Assurance, Human Resources to develop plans to meet business objectives

- Lift up to 49 pounds and frequently push, pull, squat, bend, and reach

- Stand/walk for up to 12 hours during shifts

- Work in an environment where the noise level varies and can be loud

- Work in an environment that is subject to variable temperatures and weather (delivery stations include outside loading departments)

- Continuously climb and descend stairs (applies to sites with stairs)

Our fulfillment network launches new Operations sites every year, providing various opportunities for your professional growth. We hire Operations Managers based on location preference and the business’ current openings.

Key job responsibilities

Partner with site leadership to identify Think Big opportunities that improve associate experience, reduce cost, or increase throughput beyond current operational design

Own and drive continuous improvement initiatives using AI tools, automation, and data analytics to challenge legacy processes

Develop and present business cases for technology pilots and process innovations to regional leadership

Coach and grow front-line leaders into future OMs - actively build a leadership pipeline, not just manage the current roster

Serve as a bridge between corporate innovation programs and floor-level execution, translating new tools into practical adoption

Lead cross-functional kaizens and working backwards sessions to solve systemic problems rather than treating symptoms

Own labor strategy for your shift - not just executing a plan handed to you, but proactively shaping headcount, flex, and VTO decisions based on real-time data

Champion a culture of experimentation where associates feel empowered to surface ideas and test improvements without fear of failure

About the team

IGQ9 is a sort center in DeKalb, IL, that's still writing its story. We're a newer site that launched with a growth mindset - our leadership team actively pursues AI innovation, challenges legacy processes, and treats every peak as a chance to get sharper. We run lean, move fast, and expect our managers to build, not just operate. If you want a role where you shape the culture and trajectory of a building rather than inherit someone else's, this is it. We're growing into more than a sort center - and we need leaders who want to grow with us.

Basic qualifications

- 3+ years of employee and performance management experience

- Bachelor's degree or equivalent, or 2+ years of Amazon (blue badge/FTE) experience

- Work a flexible schedule/shift/work area, including weekends, nights, and/or holidays

Preferred qualifications

- 1+ years of performance metrics, process improvement or lean techniques experience

- Experience working with data and analytics

- Experience that includes strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective communication abilities, or experience in software development

- Experience using strong customer service, communication, and interpersonal skills, or experience that includes strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective communication abilities

- 5+ years of exceeding quota and key performance metrics experience

- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain/Logistics, or a related field

- Experience in manufacturing, process, or industrial engineering

- Experience managing a team of 2+ salaried employees and 70+ indirect employees

- Experience scoping, leading, and implementing process improvements through: Lean process, Kaizen, and/or Six Sigma.

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.

USA, IL, Dekalb - 91,000.00 - 136,500.00 USD annually