Distribution Planner Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

• Health/Rx
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible and health spending accounts (FSA/HSA)
• Supplemental life insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Paid sick time
• Short term & long term disability coverage (STD/LTD)
• Employee stock ownership (ESOP)
• Holiday pay for company designated holidays

At KeHE, we're obsessed with creating solutions, unboxing potential, and serving others - and it all starts with you. As an employee-owned distributor of natural and organic, specialty, and fresh products, we're committed to making a positive impact and scaling our success together. With a culture that fosters development and opportunity, you'll be embarking on a career that's moving forward. When you join KeHE, you're becoming part of a team that is a force for good.

The Director, Distribution Systems & Transformation is responsible for leading the implementation, deployment, adoption, and continuous improvement of enterprise warehouse and fulfillment capabilities across KeHE's distribution network. This role serves as the primary business and technology leader for warehouse management, labor management, automation, inventory execution, and operational process transformation.

The position will lead large-scale digital transformation initiatives from design through deployment, ensuring technology solutions are successfully adopted and deliver measurable operational value. The Director will partner closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Transportation, Inventory Management, Distribution Center Leadership, and Technology teams to modernize warehouse capabilities and establish future-ready operating models.

This position will serve as the business owner and operational transformation leader for enterprise warehouse management capabilities. As with all positions at KeHE Distributors, we expect that all actions will be consistent with KeHE's Mission, Vision, and Values.

DUTIES, TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Enterprise Transformation Leadership

• Lead end-to-end implementation and deployment of Warehouse Management System (WMS) capabilities across KeHE's distribution network.
• Own business readiness, operational readiness, and deployment planning for large-scale warehouse transformation initiatives. Serve as the primary leader for Build, System Integration Testing (SIT), User Acceptance Testing (UAT), Operational Readiness Testing (ORT), Cutover Planning, Hypercare, and Go-Live activities.
• Establish testing strategies, governance models, defect management processes, and deployment readiness criteria.
• Coordinate cross-functional execution across Operations, Supply Chain, IT, Vendors, System Integrators, and Distribution Centers.
• Identify and mitigate implementation risks while ensuring delivery against business objectives, budget, and schedule commitments.
• Develop deployment playbooks and standardized implementation methodologies for future warehouse deployments.

Distribution Operations Expertise

• Lead future-state process design across all warehouse functions including:
• Inbound Planning, Pre-Receiving, Receiving, ASN Processing, Crossdock, Replenishment, Slotting, Inventory Control ,Cycle Counting, Wave Planning, Order Release, Picking, Pack Operations, Shipping, Yard Management , Returns Processing, Value Added Services.
• Drive process standardization and best practices across KeHE's distribution network.
• Lead Slotting, Labor Management components in addition to WMS aspects.
• Partner with Distribution Center leadership to identify process improvements that increase throughput, inventory accuracy, service levels, and labor productivity.
• Translate operational requirements into scalable system capabilities.

Change Management, Training & Adoption

• Lead organizational readiness efforts to ensure successful adoption of new operational systems and processes.
• Develop change management strategies, communication plans, stakeholder engagement plans, and adoption metrics.
• Coach business leaders, supervisors, super users, and operational teams on system capabilities and future-state business processes.
• Build Centers of Excellence and super-user communities to sustain long-term operational excellence.
• Drive post-deployment stabilization and continuous improvement initiatives.

Warehouse Automation & Material Handling Systems

• Develop deep understanding of distribution center layouts, process flows, and material handling strategies.
• Partner with Engineering, Operations, and Automation teams to optimize warehouse design and operational execution.
• Support integration and deployment of automation technologies including: Conveyor Systems like Sortation Systems, ASRS, Warehouse Control Systems (WCS), Warehouse Execution Systems (WES)
• Ensure operational processes, automation technologies, and system capabilities work together to achieve business objectives

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

• Multiple end-to-end WMS implementations, including Build, SIT, UAT, Cutover, Go-Live, and Hypercare.
• Deep understanding of warehouse operations, inventory management, labor management, automation, and fulfillment execution.
• Experience with Manhattan Active WMS strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams through complex organizational change.
• Strong executive communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience supporting brownfield warehouse deployments preferred.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or related field; Advanced degree a plus.
• 10+ years of distribution center operations, warehouse systems, or supply chain technology experience.
• 5+ years leading large-scale warehouse transformation initiatives.
• 5+ years leading teams.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.