About vacancy
General Manager – Flagship Fulfillment Center (Piney Flats, TN)
The Mission: Servant Leadership & Operational Excellence
We are seeking a people-first operator to lead our flagship fulfillment center in the Tri-Cities region. This role is a critical appointment for a servant leader who can stabilize site culture, rebuild credibility on the floor, and foster a high-engagement environment while delivering exceptional results in cost, service, and safety. The mandate is focused on creating a culture of open, two-way communication and visible leadership.
Site Overview
- Scale: A high-volume facility spanning approximately 1 million square feet on over 100 acres.
- Infrastructure: Features extensive racked shelving, multiple 7-mile conveyor systems, and continuous forklift movement.
- Workforce: A non-union team of approximately 700–900 associates.
- Operations: A multi-shift, variable-volume operation running 24/7 during peak periods.
Key Responsibilities
- Site Leadership: Exercise overall leadership responsibility for the facility, overseeing Area Managers and functional leads across Inbound, Outbound, Returns, QA, Inventory Control, and Transportation.
- Financial Ownership: Full ownership of the site P&L, managing a volume of approximately 16M units at a $2.17 cost-per-unit (CPU) target.
- Culture & Engagement: Design and lead trust-building mechanisms, including listening forums and feedback loops, to address employee relations issues proactively.
- Safety & Compliance: Promote and enforce a non-negotiable safe work environment, integrating safety audits and near-miss reporting into daily routines.
- Continuous Improvement: Drive a Lean/Six Sigma mindset and structured problem-solving across all core operations and support functions.
- Collaboration: Act as the "orchestrator" to align support teams—including EHS, Maintenance, and HR—around shared site priorities and capital projects.
Candidate Profile
- Experience: Approximately 10 years in high-volume distribution/fulfillment, with at least 7 years in people-leadership roles at scale.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred to support financial acumen and strategic thinking.
- Leadership Style: Must be a "leader of major people"—visible, consistent, and able to mentor a leadership team rather than just managing to metrics.
- Technical Savvy: Hands-on experience with distribution systems, including Manhattan WMS, LMS, and automated packaging equipment.
- Innovation: Ability to champion the adoption of new technologies, such as Verint, to drive labor planning and coaching conversations.
Success in Year One
- Measurable improvements in associate trust and engagement indicators.
- Clear safety performance and regulatory compliance.
- Demonstrable progress against flex labor expectations and non-labor cost control.
- A leadership bench that is more aligned, collaborative, and capable than upon arrival.
Compensation & Benefits
- Base Salary: Budgeted at $195,000 (M4 Level).
- Annual Bonus: 25% target.
- Long-Term Incentive (LTI): 25% starting in 2027.
- Relocation: Comprehensive relocation assistance provided.
Location Context: The Tri-Cities region offers a cost of living 5–15% below the national average, with median home prices in the $200k–$300k range.