Operations Manager - Dekalb IL, Sort Center

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.

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.

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
• 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

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)

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

Pay

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

Benefits

Amazon 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 at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.

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.

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.