Senior Specialist - DC Operational Excellence

Serves as the operational cornerstone for process standardisation, quality governance, and continuous improvement across a global 3PL-operated Distribution Centre (DC) network. Operating within the Global Distribution & Logistics Centre of Excellence (CoE), it designs and harmonises global Standard Operating Procedures, governs inventory control standards, and drives operational consistency through the Audit Framework. It acts as a bridge between central supply chain strategies and floor-level execution, championing Lean methodology, supporting network RFPs, and serving as an operational subject-matter expert for channel scalability across Retail, B2B, and eCommerce fulfilment.

• Define, harmonise, and maintain global Standard Operating Procedures and operational standards across all 3PL-operated fulfilment facilities
• Embedding best-in-class standards into the global Audit Framework and providing targeted technical and operational support during facility onboarding and solution validation.
• Champion the global operational audit framework by standardising audit criteria, scoring mechanisms, and evaluation cadences in collaboration with regional teams, capturing audit findings, bridging compliance gaps
• And feeding insights into the Continuous Improvement pipeline to prevent defect recurrence.
• Establish, monitor, and refine global inventory control standards, including cycle counting logic, reconciliation workflows, shrink reduction, and defect tracking
• While partnering with 3PL operations teams to safeguard high Inventory Record Accuracy and resolve root causes of physical-to-virtual discrepancies.
• Act as the technical operations specialist during logistics tender and RFP processes, evaluating vendor operational capabilities, validating proposed process designs and labour models, and ensuring operational readiness aligns with On's long-term standards.
• Serve as the DC operational subject-matter expert for omni-channel fulfilment, defining and refining standard processes that support retail store replenishment, delivery window adherence, and floor-ready visual merchandising requirements.
• Standardise Value-Added Services and high-touch handling procedures for strategic wholesale accounts and specialty running retail partners, mitigating compliance chargebacks.
• Drive Lean frameworks including Kaizen, 5S, and DMAIC/root cause problem solving across the global DC footprint, quantifying operational bottlenecks, translating opportunities into rigorous business cases such as ROI, capacity uplift, and OPEX/CAPEX justifications
• And prioritising initiatives that unlock efficiency and throughput.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5–8 years of hands-on experience in warehouse operations, logistics process engineering, or operational excellence within multi-node distribution networks.
• Proven track record in designing, documenting, and governing Standard Operating Procedures and operational audits in outsourced (3PL-managed) multi-channel environments.
• Solid foundation in Lean Six Sigma methodologies, with Green Belt or equivalent practical experience in Kaizen, 5S, and structured problem-solving tools.
• In-depth knowledge of warehouse inventory control methodologies, cycle counting programs, reconciliation logic, and quality assurance workflows.
• Strong understanding of end-to-end warehouse flows across B2B wholesale compliance, retail store distribution, and high-velocity DTC e-Commerce picking and packing.
• Data-driven problem solver skilled in warehouse analytics and productivity modelling (UPH, cost-to-serve), and familiar with Warehouse Management Systems and ERP environments such as Microsoft Dynamics 365.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, drive complex topics independently with high accountability at Grade 5 level, and effectively influence cross-functional partners including Regional Ops, Implementation, Tech, and Commercial leads.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to translate complex warehouse operational challenges into clear, actionable frameworks.

• Experience in footwear, apparel, sporting goods, or high-velocity consumer goods.

is data-driven, action-oriented, collaborative, and challenges the status quo, working across continents and functions with leading 3PLs to deliver a resilient, innovative, and world-class supply chain.