MPS, a division of Macmillan Publishers, a leading US publisher of Trade and Academic titles, has a job opening for a Senior Director, Operations & Process Improvement in our Gordonsville facility. MPS provides back office support, warehousing, and, fulfillment for Macmillan US, and is their primary distribution facility for North America.
About the Role
The Senior Director, Operations & Process Improvement is a senior operational leader responsible for driving performance, scalability, and continuous improvement across our Virginia distribution operations. Operating within a high-volume print book distribution environment (~300 employees), this role supports a diverse customer base including major retailers, online platforms, publishers, and third-party distribution partners.
This role requires demonstrated experience leading large-scale warehouse or distribution operations, combined with the ability to drive and own strategic initiatives that improve efficiency, service performance, and long-term operational capability. In addition to leading initiatives, this role has direct ownership and accountability for select operational, commercial, and strategic areas, partnering closely with leadership across warehouse operations, customer service, inventory control, and logistics.
What You'll Do
● Partner with warehouse and operations leadership to ensure initiatives are aligned with operational realities and business needs.
● Own and deliver cross-functional initiatives that improve operational efficiency, scalability, and service performance.
● Support evaluation and implementation of automation, system enhancements, and infrastructure initiatives.
● Analyze workflows across a high-SKU distribution environment (new releases, backlist titles, customer-specific fulfillment) and align labor, inventory, and fulfillment priorities in a variable-demand environment.
● Manage timelines, budgets, risks, and delivery accountability for cross-functional projects spanning operations, technology, and business functions.
● Lead adoption of new processes, systems, and operational improvements, ensuring changes are embedded into day-to-day operations.
● Partner with senior leadership to define priorities while maintaining ownership of execution, results, and reporting on performance and risks.
● Direct vendor selection, contract negotiation, and performance governance for operational and transformation initiatives.
● Serve as the primary executive contact for select distribution clients and business partners.
What We're Looking For
Required:
● 10+ years of experience in warehouse, distribution, or supply chain leadership roles.
● Demonstrated experience leading large-scale distribution operations (cross-functional teams, throughput, complexity).
● Experience operating in high-volume fulfillment environments.
● Proven ability to lead operational improvements, including process changes, system enhancements, or automation.
● Strong cross-functional leadership and stakeholder management skills.
● Demonstrated experience owning and delivering business-critical initiatives with direct accountability for outcomes.
Preferred:
● Experience in publishing, retail distribution, or high-SKU environments.
● Experience with automation or system implementation.
● Lean / Six Sigma or continuous improvement experience.
What Success Looks Like
● Operational Credibility - trusted by warehouse, customer service, logistics, inventory, and finance teams.
● Strategic Thinking - translates insight into long-term improvements.
● Execution Focus - drives results through structured delivery.
● Cross-Functional Leadership - aligns multiple teams around shared priorities.
● Ownership & Accountability - takes full responsibility for delivering results, not just leading initiatives.
Salary Range: $170K to $190K
MPS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, consistently striving to foster a culture where everyone belongs. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and identities. Qualified applicants are evaluated without regard to race, color, religion, age, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status, physical ability, neurodiversity, genetic information, protected veteran status, family and economic status, and background or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We prohibit discrimination of any kind and will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.
Equal Opportunity EmployerThis employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Skills Required
- 10+ years of experience in warehouse, distribution, or supply chain leadership roles.
- Experience leading large-scale distribution operations involving cross-functional teams, throughput, and operational complexity.
- Experience operating in high-volume fulfillment environments.
- Proven ability to lead operational improvements, including process changes, system enhancements, or automation.
- Strong cross-functional leadership and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience owning and delivering business-critical initiatives with direct accountability for outcomes.
- Experience in publishing, retail distribution, or high-SKU environments.
- Experience with automation or system implementation.
- Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement experience.
What We Do
We deeply believe in the power of books to connect people, amplify diverse voices, create meaningful change, and make a lasting impact in the world. Macmillan Publishers is a leading publishing company and home to some of the world's most cherished authors and creators. We are firmly committed to our employees, authors, and core values — and strive to build a culture that is inclusive of diverse voices and perspectives throughout all levels of the company. Our U.S. publishers include Celadon Books, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Flatiron Books, Henry Holt & Company, Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, The St. Martin's Publishing Group, and Tor Publishing Group. Macmillan Publishers is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to reflecting a broad representation of differences — race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, physical ability, age, family status, economic background and status, geographical background and status, and perspective — in our workplace.
