Senior Director of Distribution

This hybrid Sr. Director of Distribution role leads the long-term vision and execution of distribution infrastructure for Imperial Supplies (a Grainger company). The position manages large capital and operational budgets, drives continuous improvement and automation initiatives, and leads teams across distribution centers while collaborating with Sales, Customer Service, Transportation, Purchasing, and HR.

• Develop and implement distribution strategies (automation, technology, infrastructure, safety, culture)
• Lead capital budget up to $45M annually
• Manage operational budget up to $40M (labor, transportation, resources)
• Establish Continuous Improvement (CI) program targeting $1M-$3M annual savings
• Ensure operational excellence through executive KPIs, compliance, and safety standards

The job focuses on distribution operations strategy and operational excellence rather than software engineering. The technical scope includes automation, technology and infrastructure planning, KPI-driven performance management, and establishing a Continuous Improvement (CI) program to deliver annual savings.

The ideal candidate is a senior distribution and supply chain leader with 6-8 years of experience leading manufacturing, warehousing, or distribution operations. They have a track record of developing distribution strategies, driving continuous improvement with measurable savings targets, managing large capital and operational budgets, and building high-performing teams while ensuring safety, compliance, and KPI performance across distribution centers.