Hinkley is a fourth-generation, family-owned lighting company with over 100 years of innovation. Guided by our Life Aglow mission, we bring spaces to life through exceptional design and lasting relationships.
Hinkley is seeking a dynamic and results-driven Distribution Center (DC) Operations Leader to oversee daily operations and drive performance across our distribution center. This role leads a team of frontline supervisors and approximately 40 associates, ensuring excellence across all warehouse functions, including receiving, picking, packing, shipping, production, and inventory management.
This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, builds high-performing teams, and drives continuous improvement. You’ll play a key role in optimizing workflows, enhancing processes, and supporting technology and equipment initiatives.
Designed as a succession-track opportunity, this role prepares you to advance into the DC Manager position as part of our long-term growth strategy.
If you are a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is motivated to improve operations, develop talent, and make a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply.
Primary Tasks and Responsibilities
Distribution Center Operations Leadership
- Directly oversee and engage in daytoday operations across all functional areas on all shifts (including second and weekend shifts): receiving, putaway, replenishment, picking, packing, shipping, returns, production, kitting, and assembly.
- Actively manage staffing plans and labor scheduling to meet service levels, throughput targets, and productivity goals.
- Ensure accurate inventory and by actively monitoring and participating in established WMS processes.
- Ensure timely release and execution of waves, orders, and production schedules.
- As direct supervisors for the off-shift leaders, the DC Operations Leader is expected to be reasonably available to assist off-shift personnel when needed, offering timely guidance and decision-making support for emergent situations, including operational disruptions, equipment failures, facility issues, or other urgent matters.
Team Leadership & Development
- Provide direct leadership to frontline supervisors, leads, and associates.
- Coach, mentor, and develop team members with a long-term development mindset.
- Foster a high-performance culture by coaching, mentoring, and working alongside supervisors, leads, and associates to drive accountability, safety, and problem-solving.
- Participate in succession planning and workforce development initiatives.
Process Improvement & Operational Excellence
- Identify bottlenecks and drive continuous improvement initiatives addressing throughput, accuracy, efficiency, and safety.
- Implement Lean, 5S, Kaizen, or similar problem-solving tools to improve performance.
- Partner with the DC Manager on process redesign, SOP development, and system enhancements.
Capital Equipment & Technology Support
- Assist in evaluating and implementing new capital equipment for the distribution center.
- Support training, adoption, and troubleshooting of WMS and material handling equipment.
- Provide operational feedback for future technology investments.
CrossFunctional Collaboration
- Coordinate and align daily execution with the DC team, supply planning, sourcing, customer care, and maintenance teams.
- Escalate operational risks or service concerns in a timely manner.
- Support cross-functional initiatives that improve customer experience and overall performance.
Safety, Compliance & Facility Leadership
- Drive a safety-first culture and ensure compliance with all OSHA, company, and regulatory requirements.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and audit-ready facility using 5S principles.
- Support facilities maintenance activities and partner with the Facilities Maintenance Specialist when repairs are needed.
Performance Management & Reporting
- Track and report operational KPIs such as productivity, order accuracy, on-time shipping, labor efficiency, and safety metrics.
- Analyze trends and identify corrective actions to improve results.
- Contribute data and insights for monthly operational reviews.
Level and Type of Education Required
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, operations, business, or related field required.
Related Work Experience Required
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in logistics and distribution management, with at least 5 years in a management role.
- Proven experience with a variety of transportation modes and logistics services, including international, parcel, air, drayage, rail, LTL, TL, and yard moves. Including prior experience with contract negotiations, invoice auditing, and operational leadership.
- Demonstrated experience leading teams in a fast-paced distribution environment.
- Advanced knowledge of WMS “Warehouse Management Systems” (Korber One “High Jump” preferred) and ERP systems with interface to the WMS (NetSuite preferred).
- Prior experience managing an FTZ “Foreign Trade Zone” is a plus.
- Proven track record of driving operational improvements and managing change related to DC and domestic transportation functions.
- Certification and practical experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies a plus.
Necessary Specialized Training, Knowledge, Skill and Abilities
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data for decision-making.
- Proven leadership with strong skills in coaching, developing talent, and resolving conflicts effectively.
- Ability to address performance and employee-related issues, conflict resolution, and problem-solving.
- Demonstrated time management skills including the ability to manage multiple projects/tasks at once while adhering to deadlines.
- High degree of integrity including ability to handle sensitive/confidential information.
- Hands-on work ethic
- Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing in English.
Work Environment and Physical Requirements
The following descriptions are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Able to perform tasks in a warehouse environment and move between the warehouse and office workspaces as needed.
- Ability to stand and/or sit for prolonged periods of time.
- Frequently required to walk.
- Required to freely operate a tow motor, turret truck, order picker and/or reach truck.
- Noise level is usually moderate (industrial lift truck equipment).
- Ability to view computer screen and type on a keyboard.
- Ability to converse clearly in person and over computer/telephone (hear, speak).
- Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds as needed in a warehouse environment.
We are committed to providing a total reward package including a market-competitive salary, an annual performance bonus for every position in the company, a comprehensive benefits program, community service volunteer program and much more! Our benefits package includes: 401(k) plan with company match, comprehensive health insurance coverage, paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays, life insurance, short-term disability, wellness programs, voluntary benefits including dental, vision & more, flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care and generous employee product purchase discounts.
Hinkley is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity, all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran’s status or any other protected characteristic.
Candidates must possess authorization to work in the United States, as it is not our practice to sponsor individuals for work visas.
