Director, Warehousing Operations

Westlake Village, CA · Onsite

About the role

As the Director of Warehousing Operations at Dole Food Company, you will lead and optimize warehousing functions across multiple facilities, ensuring efficient, safe, and compliant operations. This role is critical in supporting Dole’s supply chain by driving operational excellence, cost efficiency, and continuous improvement in warehousing processes.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day warehousing operations, including receiving, storage, order fulfillment, and shipping across Dole’s network of facilities.
• Develop and implement best practices for inventory management, accuracy, and control to minimize losses and improve efficiency.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of warehouse managers and staff, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Logistics, Transportation, Procurement, Sales) to align warehousing operations with broader supply chain and business objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, or other methodologies to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and optimize space utilization.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, FDA, and other regulatory requirements, as well as Dole’s internal safety and quality standards.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as order accuracy, on-time shipping, inventory turnover, and labor productivity, and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, and capital expenditures related to warehousing operations, identifying cost-saving opportunities without compromising service levels.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies, automation, or systems to improve warehousing efficiency and scalability (e.g., WMS, RFID, robotics).
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with third-party logistics (3PL) providers, vendors, and internal stakeholders to ensure seamless operations.
• Lead crisis management and contingency planning for warehousing disruptions (e.g., labor shortages, natural disasters, supply chain delays).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in warehousing, logistics, or supply chain operations, with at least 5 years in a leadership role (e.g., Warehouse Manager, Operations Manager).
• Proven track record of managing multi-site warehousing operations in a fast-paced, high-volume environment (experience in food/CPG industry preferred).
• Strong knowledge of warehouse management systems (WMS), inventory control, and labor management systems.
• Experience with Lean/Six Sigma, process improvement, and change management initiatives.
• Familiarity with OSHA, FDA, and other regulatory standards applicable to warehousing and food safety.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions to improve operational performance.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% to visit warehouses, attend meetings, or support regional operations.

Skills

• Strategic planning and execution
• Budgeting and financial management
• Team leadership and development
• Problem-solving and critical thinking
• Project management
• Negotiation and vendor management
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle)