Logistics & Distribution Leader

Restaurant Depot is the nation’s leading members-only, wholesale cash-and-carry supplier serving independent restaurants, caterers, delis, convenience stores, & other food service businesses across 165+ locations in 35 states. Our facilities handle high-volume distribution of food, beverage, & equipment products to support the operational needs of small businesses. We are committed to efficiency, accuracy, & operational excellence across our supply chain. As we continue to grow, we are seeking an experienced Logistics & Distribution Leader to oversee domestic & international transportation, distribution center operations, corporate inventory control, & financial performance across our logistics network.

Position Summary

The Logistics & Distribution Leader is responsible for overseeing domestic & international freight operations, company-owned & third-party distribution centers, & corporate inventory control. This role maintains full profit & loss (P&L) accountability across these functions, driving operational efficiency, cost optimization, inventory accuracy, & consistent service performance throughout the supply chain.

The ideal candidate is a strategic, financially disciplined leader with extensive experience in logistics, distribution, & operational management. This individual should demonstrate strong financial acumen, analytical capabilities, & a proven ability to develop high-performing teams, manage complex budgets, & translate operational strategies into measurable financial results.

Key Responsibilities

Domestic & International Logistics Management

• Oversee domestic & international freight operations to ensure reliable, cost-effective, & on-time product delivery
• Manage transportation budgets, forecasting, freight expenditures, & P&L performance across all serviced locations
• Develop & maintain relationships with carriers, freight forwarders, customs brokers, & transportation providers
• Lead carrier negotiations, freight RFP processes, routing strategies, & service agreements to optimize transportation costs
• Oversee international container movements, ocean freight, drayage, port operations, & customs compliance
• Analyze transportation costs by lane, carrier, & shipment to identify opportunities for freight optimization
• Evaluate vendor-managed transportation against internally managed freight models to identify cost-saving opportunities

Distribution Center Operations & Inventory Control

• Direct operational & financial performance across company-owned & third-party distribution centers
• Oversee distribution center budgets, capital expenditures, cost-per-case metrics, throughput, & labor productivity
• Monitor operational KPIs to ensure efficient warehouse performance, inventory accuracy, & on-time/in-full delivery
• Manage third-party logistics (3PL) relationships, service agreements, cost reconciliations, & contractual performance standards
• Oversee corporate inventory control processes, including cycle counts, inventory reconciliations, shrink reduction, & claims resolution
• Ensure compliance with company policies, safety requirements, inventory procedures, & operational standards
• Partner with distribution center leadership to resolve operational challenges & implement process improvements

Financial Management & Performance Optimization

• Maintain full P&L accountability for transportation, distribution center operations, & corporate inventory control
• Develop annual operating budgets, financial forecasts, cost models, & capital expenditure justifications
• Analyze monthly financial results, budget variances, & operational performance to identify risks & improvement opportunities
• Monitor key financial metrics, including cost per shipment, cost per case, transportation expenses, inventory shrink, & operating margins
• Develop business cases & return on investment (ROI) analyses to support strategic initiatives & capital investments
• Establish financial controls, reporting processes, & accountability measures to improve cost management
• Present financial performance, operational trends, & strategic recommendations to senior leadership

Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Lead, mentor, & develop logistics, distribution, & inventory control teams to drive accountability & operational excellence
• Oversee recruitment, workforce planning, training, & employee development across assigned functions
• Establish performance expectations, measurable KPIs, & accountability standards for operational leadership
• Identify opportunities to improve logistics processes, technology, reporting, & overall supply chain efficiency
• Lead the evaluation & implementation of systems designed to improve operational visibility, accuracy, & productivity
• Collaborate with Procurement, Buying, Finance, Operations, & regional leadership to align supply chain performance with business objectives
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, financial accountability, & cross-functional collaboration

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related field
• Minimum 5 years of progressive leadership experience in logistics, supply chain, distribution, or operations finance
• Demonstrated experience managing distribution center operations, transportation networks, & complex supply chain functions
• Proven experience with direct P&L ownership, budget development, financial forecasting, & cost management
• Strong understanding of domestic & international freight operations, carrier negotiations, & transportation cost optimization
• Experience developing financial models, analyzing budget variances, & evaluating operational KPIs
• Proven ability to recruit, lead, & develop high-performing teams across multiple functions or locations
• Strong analytical, strategic planning, negotiation, & problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication, organizational, & cross-functional leadership capabilities
• Ability to manage competing priorities & drive measurable financial & operational results

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Paid Time Off (PTO) in accordance with company policy
• Six (6) Paid Company Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement Program, subject to eligibility & plan guidelines
• Additional Voluntary Supplemental Benefits, which may include life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance programs, & other optional benefits
• Competitive & Comprehensive Benefits Package Designed to Support You & Your Family