Director of Supply & Logistics Optimization

Scope of Position

The Director of Supply and Logistics Optimization role spearheads the transformation and modernization of fleet planning and execution within the Company. This role is pivotal in implementing a unified transportation management platform, or logistics control tower, to centralize fleet route planning, dispatch, and driver management. By improving fleet operating efficiency and standardizing processes across the board, the director aims to significantly decrease the operating cost per pound to collect donations. This responsibility extends to overseeing all transportation operations activities, including the day-to-day optimization of the fleet, managing transportation exceptions, and enhancing the overall cost efficiency, performance, and safety of the fleet to drive profits. Regular communication with stakeholders about the fleets performance and expenses through reports and dashboards is also a critical function of this role, ensuring transparency and alignment with business objectives.

The Director of Supply and Logistics Optimization will take charge of developing a high-performing team, including drivers, dispatchers, route planners/business analysts, and transportation management personnel, to cultivate a culture focused on efficiency and ongoing improvement. This leadership role encompasses deploying and overseeing cutting-edge transportation management technologies, such as Geotab and Route4Me, to centralize routing activities, enhance route efficiency by minimizing unnecessary travel, reduce fuel expenditure, and optimize truck and driver utilization. The director will utilize fleet telematics data to evaluate route productivity and manage the control tower team, ensuring adept fleet dispatch, schedule planning, and route updates to cater to the fluctuating demands of the Companys operations. Additionally, this position involves strategic oversight of the donation supply chain by monitoring network inventories and production levels to balance supply with demand effectively and coordinating the routing of both scheduled and immediate transportation orders, thus ensuring the strategic planning of operations over both short and long terms.

Reporting Relationship

Reports directly to the VP of Supply Growth and Logistics. This role will oversee a team of 165, including the Manager of Transportation, Dispatchers, Logistics Planner, four Area Donations & Logistics Managers (and the Drivers, Helpers, and Donation Attendants that report to them).

Expected Accomplishments

FIRST 12 - 36 MONTHS

1. Team Development: Top-grade the organization by 1) hiring and internally developing leaders and team members with greater skill and will, 2) creating career paths for those teams, and 3) improving team engagement and resulting in a reduction in turnover rate within the first 36 months.
2. Redesign and Standardization: Complete a comprehensive redesign of the logistics process, including fleet management and routing, achieving a 15-30% decrease in operating costs per pound within 18 months.
3. Technology Implementation: Successfully implement a common fleet management platform and central routing applications like Geotab/Route4Me within the first 12 months, leading to a 10% increase in route efficiency.
4. Supply Optimization: Develop and execute a supply optimization plan that aligns inventory with demand, ensuring a 20% improvement in route density and balanced supply and demand by the second years end.
5. Growth and Expansion: Define and implement a scaling strategy by market, including fleet and capital expenditure needs, leading to a 15% growth in operational capacity by the end of 36 months.
6. Expansion of Distribution Centers: Open two additional donation distribution centers in underserved areas within 24 months to support retail expansion and increase donation processing capacity.
7. Strategic Partnerships (Cost Reduction): Negotiate and establish strategic partnerships with third-party services, resulting in a 10% reduction in logistics costs by the end of the second year.
8. Fleet and Equipment Strategy: Develop and maintain a CAPEX forecast for fleet and equipment, achieving a 15% improvement in asset utilization within the first 24 months.
9. SOP Development: Standardize processes for the logistics organization, leading to a 25% increase in team efficiency
10. Operational Excellence: Achieve a 30% reduction in cost per pound collected and increase collected donations to 90 million pounds by the end of the first 36 months
11. Safety and Compliance: Ensure 100% compliance with DOT regulations and OSHA standards, reducing accidents and safety incidents by 20% within the first year.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead transformation of fleet planning and execution for donation collection and logistics, optimizing routes and processes to maximize efficiency and reduce costs.
• Centralize fleet route planning, dispatch, and driver management.
• Implement and leverage technology for route optimization and fleet management to streamline operations, improve data visibility, and enhance decision-making processes.
• Analyze performance metrics to identify trends, address issues, and capitalize on opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborate with the executive team and key cross-functional leaders to align the logistics strategy with the companys overall mission and financial goals.
• Manage and develop a high-performing logistics team, providing leadership, mentorship, and support to achieve operational excellence.
• Coordinate activities to meet store and all other Company business unit processing requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve donor and customer satisfaction in all donation collection and logistics processes.
• Manage transportation operations, ensuring cost efficiency and safety.
• Develop and maintain inventory controls and supply planning strategies to manage inventory levels and ensure a consistent supply of quality donations for sale across business units.
• Oversee management, evolution, and growth of Donation Distribution Centers.
• Analyze performance metrics to identify trends, address issues, and capitalize on opportunities for improvement.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning for the logistics and donation collection departments.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or Business Analytics; Masters degree preferred.
• A minimum of 15 years of experience in logistics and supply chain operations, private fleet management, or third-party logistics, with at least 10 years in leadership
• Proven track record of optimizing supply chain and logistics operations, reducing costs, and implementing innovative solutions.
• Expertise in logistics processes and systems, highly proficient in fleet management software and telematics.
• Excellent leadership, communication, interpersonal skills, and team management abilities.
• Able to articulate and present the planning function to the organization at a strategic level.
• Able to coach, train, recruit, develop, lead, and motivate a remote team from a distance.

Personal Characteristics

• Highly creative, entrepreneurial, and innovative
• Operates with a high sense of urgency and energy
• Strong externally focused strategic thinker
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Outgoing, open, and honest communicator
• Results-oriented
• Comfortable with complexity, ambiguity, and change
• Strong organizational planning and project management skills
• Smart and intellectually curious
• Approachable team player with a positive attitude