Job Description

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Manager of Distribution who will be responsible for setting the vision and leadership for the third-party and internal Distribution Operations. This position ensures Ariat properly manages warehouse capacity forecasting, inbound shipments, inventory movement, and delivers products from our warehouses to our customers on time through our network of third-party and internal distribution centers. Through strategic management and hands-on leadership, this position instills a culture of continuous improvement and delivers cost and productivity improvements through applying strong analytical and problem-solving skills and utilizing best distribution practices.

You'll Make a Difference By

• Work with VP of Distribution Operations to set the strategic goals and vision of distribution and outbound logistics.
• Responsible for all aspects of distribution, including receiving, picking, packing, shipping, inventory control, cycle counts, and VAS for wholesale and direct to consumer orders at two of our third-party logistics providers.
• Implement data-driven decision-making using real-time analytics, dashboards, KPI tracking, and process improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma).
• Provide guidance/coaching/mentorship to managers, analyst and 3PL partners to empower them to make effective, timely decisions.
• Successfully manage department budget. Maximize dollars and reduce costs through improved performance and efficiencies.
• Ability to drive continuous improvement in productivity, cost control, service and inventory accuracy.
• Plan to ensure capacity is sufficient to meet monthly volumes
• Lead and manage staff to achieve goals and deliver superior performance through improved lead times and service levels.
• Creates a relentless focus on planning and execution of Supply Chain and Distribution strategies by accessing data trends, metrics and industry advancements.
• Ensure proper systems and procedures are in place to track and maintain inventory accuracy.
• Build superior analytical and forecasting capabilities through technology and people.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams, providing data-driven insights and transparency into distribution network operations.
• Manage third party distribution relationships and determine appropriate long-term distribution strategy to support company growth.
• Proactively work with business unit leaders, inventory planning, customer service, sales and production to ensure operations is supporting customer requirements and achieving fulfillment and delivery expectations.
• Report to senior management on operational and productivity metrics, resource needs and opportunities for improvement.

About You

• 10 years’ experience in distribution of consumer products or footwear/apparel in a wholesale or retail environment with an e-commerce component.
• Strong judgment and knowledge of when to elevate issues to our Senior team.
• Ability to travel to DCs in our network.
• Spend considerable time in our Chino, CA facility during initial 3 months.
• High integrity, transparency and strong business ethics.
• Strong problem solving and quantitative analysis capabilities.
• Strong financial and P&L management. Metrics driven.
• Provides guidance/coaching/mentorship to managers, analyst and 3PL partners to empower them to make effective, timely decisions.
• Decisive visionary and leadership skills; ability to balance strategy with day-to-day tactical issues.
• Takes ownership and promotes collaboration and teamwork.
• Makes realistic commitments and executes well. Strong project management skills.
• Strong interpersonal, communications and presentation skills.
• Strong collaborative business partner who works well with peer group as well as across all levels in organization.
• Demonstrated experience with managing and implementing significant change in rapidly growing organizations.
• Attention to detail – possessing right combination of detailed, hands-on capability combined with the ability to see and manage issues at a higher level.
• Experience with implementing warehouse management systems.
• Experience in planning, and forecasting. Success in making appropriate risk/reward tradeoffs and making astute business decisions with limited or incomplete information.
• Proven success in hiring, retaining, and managing talented people.
• 5+ years’ experience managing 3rd party warehouse partners desirable.

About Ariat

Ariat is an innovative, global outdoor brand with roots in equestrian performance. We develop high-quality footwear and apparel for people who ride, work, and play outdoors and care about performance, quality, comfort, and style.

The salary range for this position is $140,000 - $160,000 per year.

The salary is determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data for geographic locations. Ariat in good faith believes that this posted compensation range is accurate for this role at this location at the time of this posting. This range may be modified in the future.

Ariat’s holistic benefits package for full-time team members includes (but is not limited to):

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance options
• Expanded wellness and mental health benefits
• Paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, and paid volunteer days
• 401(k) with company match
• Bonus incentive plans
• Team member discount on Ariat merchandise

Note: Availability of benefits may be subject to location & employment type and may have certain eligibility requirements. Ariat reserves the right to alter these benefits in whole or in part at any time without advance notice.

Ariat will consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws. Ariat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetics or any other basis protected under federal, state, or local law. Ariat is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to candidates with disabilities. If you need an accommodation during the application process, email human.resources@ariat.com.

Please see our Employment Candidate Privacy Policy at to learn more about how we collect, use, retain and disclose Personal Information.

Please note that Ariat does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Agreement, Ariat will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter/agency placement fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed Agreement, Ariat explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted directly to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Ariat.

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