Vice President of Operations - Contract Logistics

Position Summary

The Vice President of Operations – Contract Logistics provides operational leadership for the company’s contract logistics business, overseeing a multi-site network of warehousing, distribution, fulfillment, and value-added services. This executive is responsible for operational excellence, financial performance, customer satisfaction, workforce strategy, safety, security, quality, and process adherence.

The VP of Operations partners closely with executive leadership, commercial teams, customers, and functional leaders to develop and execute strategies that strengthen operational performance, improve productivity, optimize costs, and provide a safe and secure work environment. This role leads through a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, disciplined operations, high standards, innovation, and customer-centric service.

Essential Job Functions

Operations Leadership & Strategy

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for contract logistics operations across multiple facilities.
• Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with company objectives and customer requirements.
• Establish and monitor operational standards, KPIs, service-level expectations, and performance objectives across the network.
• Drive consistency and standardization of processes, systems, and best practices across locations while maintaining flexibility for customer-specific requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, scalability, productivity, safety, security and service quality.

Financial & P&L Management

• Own operational financial performance, labor, operating expenses, productivity, profitability, and overall P&L results.
• Analyze financial and operational data to identify trends, risks, opportunities, and corrective actions.
• Partner with Finance and Commercial teams to establish labor models, operating assumptions, and financial projections.
• Drive cost control and productivity initiatives while maintaining customer service and operational quality.
• Evaluate capital investments and business cases for automation, equipment, technology, facility improvements, and other operational initiatives.

Customer & Commercial Leadership

• Serve as an executive escalation point for significant operational, contractual, service, and performance issues.
• Ensure operational commitments align with contractual requirements, financial expectations, and the company’s ability to execute successfully.

Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Establish a culture of continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, operational excellence, or other structured improvement methodologies.
• Develop and implement initiatives that improve labor productivity, throughput, inventory accuracy, order fulfillment, quality, and customer service.
• Utilize operational data and analytics to identify root causes and drive sustainable improvements.
• Establish accountability for corrective action plans and ensure timely resolution of operational gaps.
• Benchmark performance across facilities and identify opportunities to replicate successful practices throughout the network.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of senior operations leaders, including Regional, Site, General, and Operations Managers.
• Establish clear expectations, performance objectives, and accountability throughout the operations organization.
• Develop succession plans and leadership pipelines for critical operational roles.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, employee engagement, and operational excellence.
• Partner with Human Resources to develop workforce strategies that support staffing, retention, leadership development, employee relations, and organizational effectiveness.
• Ensure leaders are equipped to effectively manage performance, develop talent, and maintain strong employee engagement.

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Champion a safety-first culture and ensure compliance with company policies, OSHA requirements, customer standards, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Establish accountability for safety performance and continuous improvement across all operations.
• Ensure quality standards and operational controls are consistently maintained.
• Partner with Legal, HR, Risk Management, and other functional leaders to mitigate operational and compliance risks.
• Ensure appropriate business continuity, emergency response, and risk mitigation plans are maintained.

Technology & Innovation

• Identify and implement technology, automation, systems, and data solutions that improve operational performance and scalability.
• Partner with IT and technology teams to optimize Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), labor management systems, transportation systems, reporting tools, and other operational platforms.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and automation opportunities based on operational requirements, customer needs, and return on investment.
• Encourage innovation and the adoption of data-driven decision-making throughout the organization.

Network & Growth Strategy

• Evaluate facility capacity, network requirements, labor availability, customer demand, and market opportunities to support long-term growth.
• Participate in strategic planning related to facility expansions, relocations, new sites, acquisitions, and customer implementations.

Key Performance Indicators

Success in this role will be measured through performance against key operational and financial metrics, including:

• Operational productivity and labor efficiency
• Budget and forecast performance
• On-time and accurate order fulfillment
• Inventory accuracy
• Quality and service-level performance
• Safety performance and incident reduction
• Employee engagement and retention
• Continuous improvement and cost-reduction results
• Successful project implementations and transitions
• Growth and expansion of existing customer accounts

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations, or a related field required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in contract logistics, warehousing, distribution, fulfillment, supply chain, or related operations.
• 5+ years of senior leadership experience managing multi-site operations.
• Demonstrated experience with P&L ownership and financial management.
• Proven success managing large-scale operations and developing high-performing leadership teams.
• Experience working directly with major customers and executive-level stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of warehouse operations, fulfillment, distribution, labor management, and operational technology.
• Demonstrated experience leading continuous improvement, productivity, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Experience with customer implementations, transitions, expansions, or new site launches preferred.
• Strong analytical, financial, negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to travel regularly between facilities and customer locations.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic and operational leadership
• Financial acumen and P&L management
• Customer relationship management
• Executive presence and communication
• Talent development and succession planning
• Change management
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Data-driven decision making
• Commercial and business development orientation
• Accountability and results orientation
• Collaboration and cross-functional leadership
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-growth environment

Why You Should Work for Crane?

At Crane, we believe in providing our employees with excellent benefits at a Great Place to Work.

We offer:

• Quarterly Incentive Plan
• 136 hours of Paid Time Off which equals 17 days for the year, that can be used for Sick Time or
• for Personal Use
• Excellent Medical, Dental and Vision benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement for education related to your job
• Employee Referral Bonuses
• Employee Recognition and Rewards Program
• Paid Volunteer Time to support a cause that is close to your heart and contributes to our communities
• Employee Discounts
• Wellness Incentives that can go up to $100 per year for completing challenges, in addition to a discount on contribution rates

Come join the leader in logistics and take your career in the right direction.

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

The physical demands described here 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.

We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.

This position requires the final candidate to successfully pass an E-Verify Check.

More Information: http://www.dhs.gov/e-verify 

Company benefits are contingent upon meeting eligibility requirements and plan conditions.