Distribution Center Operations Manager

Location- Wolf Creek Distribution Center | Atlanta GA

Shift-Multiple Shifts Available

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

We are looking for an experienced, hands-on Operations Manager to help launch and stabilize the Wolf Creek Distribution Center, a brownfield 3PL operation. You will serve as a key Nike operational leader and partner closely with the 3PL management team to convert facility and process designs into safe, executable, and sustainable daily operations.

You will bring a servant-leadership mindset, strong operational judgment, and the ability to lead through ambiguity and change. You will build trust across Nike, the 3PL provider, and cross-functional partners while creating a positive, inclusive, and accountable culture focused on safety, service, quality, productivity, and financial performance.

Leadership Scope

This role is part of the Wolf Creek DC leadership team and is expected to provide operational coverage aligned with a 24/7, four-shift model. The Operations Manager will lead through a combination of direct operational ownership, cross-functional influence, and partnership with the 3PL provider. Specific workstream, shift, and people-leadership assignments will be based on the final site operating model.

WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON:

Startup Design and Operational Readiness

• Partner with the 3PL provider, engineering, systems, facilities, transportation, inventory, and other stakeholders to translate detailed designs into executable operating processes.
• Participate in process-design reviews and validate operational requirements, labor assumptions, throughput, capacity, constraints, and service expectations.
• Develop and validate Job Instruction Sheets (JIS), standard work, operating procedures, escalation paths, and management routines across receiving, storage, picking, packing, and shipping.
• Identify safety, quality, service, productivity, and change-management risks before launch, then drive mitigation plans to closure.
• Coordinate operational readiness activities, including staffing readiness, training validation, floor readiness, cutover planning, contingency planning, and launch criteria.
• Provide visible leadership during go-live, actively manage operational issues and escalations, and support rapid stabilization through disciplined problem solving and daily performance management.
• Help establish a scalable four-shift operating model and consistent Nike-to-3PL alignment across a 24/7 operation.

Operational Performance and Continuous Improvement

• Advise and improve business processes that receive, store, process, and ship product accurately and on time while optimizing operational results.

• Use data to set SMART goals, analyze performance, identify root causes, and make decisions that improve safety, service, quality, productivity, cost, and customer experience.
• Lead multiple cross-functional projects using structured project-management, Lean, and problem-solving methods.
• Simplify work, reduce errors, improve flexibility, and engage employees and partners at all levels in continuous improvement.
• Develop and manage departmental plans and budgets, monitor performance to plan, and take action to achieve annual operating targets.

WHO YOU WILL WORK :

3PL Partnership and Governance

• Co-lead day-to-day operational execution with the 3PL management team while maintaining clear accountability for contractual, service, quality, safety, and financial expectations.
• Define and reinforce roles, decision rights, communication routines, KPI reviews, escalation protocols, and issue-resolution processes between Nike and the 3PL provider.
• Assess provider performance using objective data, conduct constructive business reviews, and drive corrective actions and continuous improvement where needed.
• Ensure the 3PL management team provides consistent, high-quality leadership of associates across shifts.

Leadership and Culture

• Build a winning, inclusive, and collaborative culture grounded in trust, accountability, respect, and shared ownership with the 3PL partner.
• Lead through influence in a partner-based model, remove obstacles, clarify priorities, and empower teams to deliver consumer- and customer-focused results.
• Develop strong interdependent relationships across operations, systems, engineering, facilities, transportation, inventory, finance, HR, and other support functions.
• Contribute to the broader DC leadership team by shaping site goals, sharing feedback, supporting cross-functional priorities, and helping other areas as needed.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Bachelor’s degree or a combination of relevant education, experience, and training.
• Minimum of 5 years of operations-management experience in a distribution or manufacturing environment. Two additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Experience supporting startup, facility transition, major implementation, or operational transformation.
• 3PL experience working in, or leading through, a partner model to execute supply-chain business needs.
• Solid understanding of automated distribution systems and experience with WMS-enabled operations.
• Experience with Manhattan WMS, SAP, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Word.
• Working knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous-improvement methods preferred.
• Demonstrated project-management capability, including the ability to manage multiple interdependent workstreams and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong analytical, strategic-planning, decision-making, and structured problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, listening, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and guide partners at multiple organizational levels.
• Demonstrated ability to foster a diverse and inclusive workforce, build effective teams, and lead with a servant-leadership mindset.
• Ability to handle confidential matters professionally and operate effectively under business-driven deadlines.
• Ability to work flexible hours and shifts, including early, late, weekend, or off-shift coverage when required during testing, launch, and stabilization.

How Success Will Be Measured

• Safe, compliant, and operationally ready processes validated before go-live.
• Successful completion of UAT and end-to-end operational testing, with material defects and gaps actively managed to closure.
• Clear, standardized work and training content that supports consistent execution across shifts.
• Effective Nike and 3PL governance, operating rhythms, escalation paths, and performance accountability.
• Stable launch and disciplined post-go-live stabilization against agreed safety, service, quality, productivity, and financial objectives.
• A collaborative, inclusive culture that engages teams in continuous improvement and shared