Job DetailsJob Location: Willow - Bloomington , CA 92316Position Type: Full TimeSalary Range: $145,000.00 - $150,000.00 Salary/yearTravel Percentage: Up to 10%Job Shift: Day Job Summary:
The Operations Manager is a key leadership role responsible for executing day-to-day warehouse and distribution operations within a fast-paced third-party logistics (3PL) environment. Reporting to the Senior Operations Manager, this position serves as the second-in-command, ensuring operational stability, performance, and disciplined execution across all shifts, with direct ownership of off-shift operations.
This role is accountable for delivering consistent results across core operational functions including inbound, outbound, inventory control, labor management, and service performance. The Operations Manager leads frontline execution, drives accountability across supervisors, and ensures operational standards are maintained in alignment with customer requirements and company expectations.
Operating in a customer-integrated environment with Steve Madden, this role provides direct support to the Senior Operations Manager in client engagement. While not the primary point of contact, the Operations Manager is expected to maintain full operational and system knowledge, enabling them to effectively interact with the customer as needed and ensure continuity with no disruption to service, communication, or execution from the customer’s perspective.
In addition to operational leadership, the role leverages data, reporting, and system insight to identify performance gaps, improve efficiency, and support continuous improvement initiatives within a customer-controlled WMS environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Operational Execution & Shift Leadership
Lead and manage day-to-day warehouse operations across inbound, outbound, and inventory control functions
Execute operational plans established by the Senior Operations Manager, ensuring consistent performance against service, productivity, and quality expectations
Own and lead off-shift operations (tentatively Sunday–Thursday, including Sunday day shift and early morning weekday shifts), ensuring leadership presence during critical operating hours
Serve as the senior operational leader on shift, responsible for decision-making, issue resolution, and performance management
Ensure effective shift-to-shift communication, handoffs, and continuity of operations across all functions
Drive adherence to standard operating procedures and ensure consistency in execution
Utilize operational data and reporting to proactively identify performance gaps, risks, and inefficiencies during shift execution
Make real-time, data-informed decisions to adjust priorities, labor allocation, and workflow to meet service targets
Monitor shift-level performance metrics and drive immediate corrective actions as needed
Operational Analytics & Reporting
Generate and analyze operational reports to support daily, weekly, and monthly performance reviews
Identify trends and provide recommendations to improve efficiency, reduce cost, and enhance service levels
Partner with leadership to ensure data accuracy and alignment across reporting systems
Support reporting needs for both internal leadership and customer requirements
Inbound, Outbound & Inventory Management
Oversee receiving, putaway, replenishment, picking, packing, and shipping operations to ensure accuracy and throughput targets are achieved
Manage inventory control processes including cycle counts, audits, reconciliations, and discrepancy resolution
Ensure inventory accuracy and alignment between physical product and WMS records
Identify and resolve operational issues impacting flow of goods, order accuracy, or service levels
Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure timely and efficient movement of product
Team Leadership & Development
Lead, coach, and develop supervisors and frontline teams to drive a high-performance culture
Establish clear expectations, accountability, and performance standards across all shifts
Ensure consistent leadership presence and support for off-shift teams
Promote a culture of safety, discipline, and continuous improvement
Develop team capability to operate effectively in a system-driven, fast-paced environment
Compliance & Safety
Ensure compliance with company policies, safety standards, and customer requirements
Maintain a safe working environment through consistent enforcement of safety practices and procedures
Partner with HR and leadership to address safety concerns, incidents, and training needs
Cost Control & Operational Efficiency
Support execution of labor and operating budgets through disciplined resource management
Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and control costs without impacting service levels
Align operational execution with financial and productivity goals
Attendance & Reliability
Maintain consistent and reliable attendance, including adherence to scheduled shifts, start times, and assigned work hours
Demonstrate the ability to work a non-traditional schedule, including Sunday operations, early morning shifts, and extended hours as required by business needs
Provide appropriate notice for absences in accordance with company policy and ensure proper coverage and communication
Labor Management & Workforce Execution
Manage labor planning and execution in alignment with volume, service requirements, and productivity targets
Drive workforce productivity through direct supervision, performance management, and accountability
Adjust staffing and priorities in real-time to respond to changing operational demands
Partner with HR and leadership on staffing, training, performance management, and disciplinary actions
Develop frontline leadership (supervisors/leads) to operate effectively and independently, particularly during off-shift hours
Analyze labor performance, productivity trends, and utilization to optimize staffing and improve efficiency
Use historical data and volume trends to support labor planning and scheduling decisions
Identify and address productivity gaps using performance data and reporting tools
Customer Support & Operational Alignment (Secondary Interface)
Support the Senior Operations Manager in maintaining strong customer relationships and service performance
Serve as a secondary operational point of contact for Steve Madden, stepping in as needed to support communication, issue resolution, and execution
Maintain full working knowledge of customer requirements, processes, and WMS functionality to ensure no disruption in service or communication when engaging directly with the customer
Participate in customer discussions, operational reviews, and issue resolution as directed
Ensure operational execution consistently meets customer SLAs and expectations
Utilize data and reporting to support customer discussions, issue resolution, and performance reviews
Provide data-backed explanations for operational performance, challenges, and corrective actions when engaging with the customer
Ensure alignment between internal reporting and customer-facing metrics within the WMS environment
WMS Execution & Operational Discipline
Ensure strict adherence to all customer-controlled WMS processes and transaction requirements
Monitor system activity to ensure data accuracy, proper transaction flow, and compliance with customer standards
Troubleshoot operational and system-related issues impacting execution
Reinforce system discipline across all levels of the operation to maintain inventory integrity and operational accuracy
Partner with internal and customer stakeholders to address system gaps or inefficiencies
Monitor WMS data accuracy and transaction integrity, identifying discrepancies and driving resolution
Analyze system data to uncover root causes of operational issues (mis-picks, shorts, delays, etc.)
Ensure data accuracy is maintained to support reporting, billing, and customer visibility
Performance Management & Continuous Improvement
Monitor operational KPIs including productivity, accuracy, service levels, and inventory performance
Identify performance gaps and implement corrective actions to improve results
Use operational data and reporting tools to support decision-making and drive efficiencies
Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on throughput, cost control, and operational effectiveness
Support implementation of process improvements within the constraints of a customer-managed system
Develop, track, and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) across productivity, accuracy, and service levels
Translate operational data into actionable insights and improvement plans
Identify trends, recurring issues, and performance patterns to drive root cause analysis
Support implementation of process improvements using data to validate results and measure impact
Prepare and review operational reports for leadership, identifying risks and opportunities
Serve as a reliable leadership presence during assigned shifts, particularly in off-shift operations
Performance Standards & Accountability
Consistently meet or exceed defined performance expectations, including operational KPIs, productivity, accuracy, and service levels
Demonstrate the ability to effectively execute job responsibilities in a fast-paced, customer-driven environment
Maintain a high level of accountability, responsiveness, and follow-through in all assigned duties
Perform all essential job functions in a safe, efficient, and compliant manner
Adapt to changing operational needs while maintaining performance standards
The duties and responsibilities described above may provide only a partial description of this position. This is not an exhaustive list of all aspects of the job. Other duties and responsibilities not outlined in this document may be added as necessary or desirable, with or without notice.
QualificationsKnowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Strong working knowledge of warehouse operations including inbound, outbound, inventory control, and order fulfillment processes
Demonstrated ability to lead operations in a high-volume 3PL environment with customer-specific requirements
Proficient in interpreting operational metrics and using data to drive performance improvements
Solid understanding of WMS-driven operations, inventory accuracy controls, and transaction discipline
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret operational data and translate insights into actionable improvements
Proficiency in using data to drive decision-making in a warehouse or 3PL environment
Advanced Excel skills and experience working with operational reports and performance metrics
Ability to identify trends, root causes, and performance drivers using data
Ability to manage and prioritize multiple operational demands in a fast-paced environment
Strong leadership and people management skills, including coaching, performance management, and team development
Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact with frontline staff, leadership, and customer representatives
Proven problem-solving and decision-making skills under time-sensitive conditions
Ability to work independently during off-shift hours while maintaining alignment with leadership direction
High level of accountability, ownership, and operational discipline
Equipment & Systems Knowledge
Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), preferably in a customer-controlled or 3PL environment
Microsoft Office Suite
Advanced Excel (pivot tables, data analysis, reporting)
Word and Outlook
Labor management and productivity tracking systems (preferred)
RF scanners, barcode systems, and warehouse automation tools
Familiarity with ERP systems and system integrations (preferred)
Exposure to data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau, or similar) is a plus
Experience Requirements
Minimum 5–7 years of experience in warehouse, distribution, or third-party logistics (3PL) operations
Minimum 3 years of direct leadership experience managing supervisors and frontline teams
Experience managing operations across multiple shifts or non-traditional schedules strongly preferred
Proven experience working in customer-driven environments with service level agreements (SLAs)
Experience with inventory management, cycle counting, and discrepancy resolution
Demonstrated ability to manage labor planning, productivity, and operational execution
Education Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business Administration, or related field preferred
Equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience will be considered
Certifications (Preferred)
Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement certifications
OSHA safety training or certifications (preferred but not required)